She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity, and dharma , representing the power of good over evil. The most important texts of Shaktism, Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavata Purana , revere Devi the Goddess as the primordial creator of the universe and the Brahman ultimate truth and reality.
Durga has a significant following all over Nepal , India , Bangladesh and many other countries. She is mostly worshipped after spring and autumn harvests, especially during the festivals of Durga Puja , Durga Ashtami , Vijayadashami , Deepavali , and Navaratri.
According to Monier Monier-Williams , Durga is derived from the roots dur difficult and gam pass, go through. The word Durga and related terms appear in the Vedic literature, such as in the Rigveda hymns 4.
The word is also found in ancient post-Vedic Sanskrit texts such as in section 2. For example, Durg is the name of an Asura who had become invincible to gods, and Durga is the goddess who intervenes and slays him.
Durga and its derivatives are found in sections 4. Durga is commonly known as Mahishasura-mardini for slaying the half-buffalo demon Mahishasura. A list of names of the goddess is recited in order to worship her and is popularly known as the "Ashtottarshat Namavali of Goddess Durga".
