Goddess Mahishasuramardhani

Eradicator of the fear of death - Goddess MAHISHASURAMARDHINI
In the Atharvana Veda, Mahishasuramardhini is a paradevatha, meaning prime energy, which is not usually placed secondary to any other. However, in this peedam, she is featured as Lord Vishnu's sister and hence brings the brother - sister relationship to the fore. Even the statue has been sculpted to resemble Lord Danvantri.

In the form of Mahishasuramardhini, She is considered to be the destroyer of fears, especially the fear of death. She is usually known to portray an angry countenance as She slays the demon but here She has a smile on Her face, as if gladly receiving Her visitors, now that She has slain evil. She is invoked here as a composite of Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga where knowledge removes fears, abundance nurtures happiness and courage gives you strength.

Unique feature
She is sculpted with the entire demon under her foot.

Anecdote
When she was consecrated, 108 sumangalis (women who live with their spouses) performed abhishekams with turmeric water which is significant in itself. During Her karikolam, she travelled 10,000 kilometres and has embedded, under Her pedestal, 100 million handwritten Danvantri mantras to energise the idol.

The Soolini Durga Homam is performed here as a special feature.