Bankura, Sept. 8 -- While the ten-armed 'Dashabhuja' (ten-armed Durga) form is widely recognised as the traditional representation of Goddess Durga, several centuries-old temples and mansions of erstwhile aristocratic families across Bankura, East and West Midnapore and East Burdwan continue to worship 12-, 16- and 18-armed forms of the deity, rooted in Shakta scriptures.
A plasterwork idol at the Jhareswar Nath temple in Kanasole, West Midnapore, and a terracotta idol at the Radha Damodar temple in Mangloi, East Midnapore, depict Durga with 18 arms.
"These are not recent creations but temple art from the 18th and 19th centuries, preserved on the walls of Shiva temples built during the Malla and Bhan eras," said Sukumar Banerjee, a region...