The Creation of Durga: Page from a Dispersed Markandeya Purana: (Stories of the Sage Markandeya)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Durga was created by the gods to vanquish the demon Mahish, whom they could not kill. Each of the gods gave Durga a weapon. Here, she sits on a lotus floating above her lion vehicle, surrounded by offerings and adored by two throngs of gods.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art