Durga Puja is associated with the slaying of Mahishasur, the buffalo demon. He was the son of an asur whose name was Rambha. Mahishasur was the son of Rambha and a buffalo mother. He had the power to transform himself anytime into a buffalo or a human being.
This Mahishasur wanted to rule the Universe. With this view he began to meditate hard. He was so determined to his meditation that Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe appeared before him and wished to offer him boons. Mahishasur demanded to be the emperor of the universe along with the blessing of immortality. He claimed that he must not be killed by any human being or any god. His desire was fulfilled.
Having been totally safe with the armor of the boons Mahishasur ravaged the Heaven and he earth. The gods were so terrified that that left Heaven to some safer places. Terror loomed large in the whole of the universe.
One day the gods held a meeting and decided to meet Lord Shiva to seek his help. They met Shiva and told him of their misery. Lord Shiva was so enraged that his third eye blazed. Out of the blaze a woman was born. She was combined with the powers of the other gods too. This woman was named Durga. She was decorated with the arms of the gods and was sent to combat Mahishasur.
Devi Durga attacked Mahishasur with a fighting spree. The fight continued for nine days. On the 10th day the demon was killed. Thenceforth Durga was called Mahishasurmardini or the demolisher of the demon Mahishasur. Mahishasur at last realized that all his brags were nothing but empty vaunts to the divine power. He prayed fervently to Devi Durga to bestow mercy on him so that he might be purged from sin. The Devi felt compassion for him and allowed him a place at her lotus feet.
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