Today's avatar of Mother Durga is KATHYAYINI. She is known as a warrior goddess in this Avatar. It is believed that She killed the demon, Mahishasura, in this form. She rides a fierce Lion and is depicted as having 18 hands! She carries a lotus flower and a sword in Her left hand and keeps Her right hand in Abhaya and Varada Mudra. She is believed to have taken birth in the house of sage Kathya hence the name Kathyayini. Let us pray that the divine Mother vanquishes all evils and blesses everyone!