Story of Sati
Sati pleaded with King Daksha to marry Shiva, whom she loved with unwavering heart. But Daksha mocked Shiva—he wandered cremation grounds, wore ashes instead of robes, and mingled with Bhut and Pret. Yet Sati’s devotion outshone royal pride. Moved at last, Daksha relented, and the sacred wedding took place.
(Painting by Piyali Mandal)
King Daksha, driven by pride, organized a grand Yagya with blazing fire and echoing chants, hoping to prove his greatness. He invited all gods and kings, but deliberately excluded his daughter Sati and son-in-law Shiva, scorning the ash-covered ascetic and sowing seeds of divine tragedy.
Despite Shiva’s warning, Sati attended Daksha’s Yagya uninvited. Hearing her father insult Shiva—mocking his life in cremation grounds and ghostly companions—she was devastated. Unable to bear the humiliation of her beloved, Sati leapt into the sacred fire, ending her life in sorrow and protest.
(Painting by Kajari Roy)
Shiva, devastated by Sati’s death, erupted in furious Tandav Nritya, shaking the universe. To calm him, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Sati’s body into pieces, scattering them across India and neighbouring lands. These sacred sites became revered as Shakti Peethas like Kalighat, Tarapith, Kamakhya etc.
(Painting by Shreeya Majumdar)
Story of Parvati
Parvati, serene and resolute, knelt before the Siva Lingam, chanting “Om Namah Shivaya.” Her devotion radiated through the forest, invoking Shiva’s presence—not merely for love, but to awaken the eternal union of Shakti and Shiva, soul and cosmos.
(Painting by Sharmistha Talukdar)
Beneath a sky lit with fire and flowers, Shiva stood beside Parvati. Drums thundered, conch shells echoed. They exchanged garlands—woven with jasmine and devotion—binding their souls in a marriage that resounded through mountain peaks and forest depths.
(Painting by Suvashree Sarkar)
Shiva remained deep in meditation, distant and unreachable. Parvati, feeling alone and yearning for companionship, shaped a boy from sandalwood and turmeric paste, breathing life into him—her son, Ganesh. Loyal to her command, Ganesh blocked Shiva’s path upon his return. Unaware of the boy’s origin, Shiva, enraged, beheaded him. Parvati’s grief shook the heavens. Moved by her sorrow, Shiva revived Ganesh, placing an elephant’s head upon him—thus was born the beloved guardian, remover of obstacles, and son of divine union.
(Painting by Indrani Tarafdar)
In the snowy heights of Kailash, Shiva and Parvati lived with warmth and laughter. Their sons—Ganesh, wise and playful, Kartik, bold and swift—shared the home with Lakshmi’s grace and Saraswati’s wisdom. A family bound by love, devotion, and divine purpose.
(Painting by Sudipta Roy Kanrar)
Navaratri
Navratri, the nine-night festival, celebrates the divine feminine through worship of Goddess Durga’s nine forms. Each night honors a unique aspect of her power—strength, wisdom, compassion—inviting devotees to reflect, purify, and awaken spiritual energy through prayer, fasting, and devotion.
1. Maa Shailaputri
On Navratri’s first day, devotees worship Maa Shailaputri, daughter of the Himalayas. Riding a bull, holding trident and lotus, she embodies strength, purity, and motherhood. As Parvati, Shiva’s consort, her blessings bring stability, courage, and harmony to those who seek her grace.
(Painting By Nirvik Das)
2. Maa Brahmacharini
The second Sakti roop is Maa Bhahmacharini. On that day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Brahmacharini, the embodiment of penance and devotion. Clad in white, she holds a rosary and water pot, symbolizing purity and discipline. Her blessings inspire strength, restraint, and spiritual growth, guiding seekers on the path of wisdom and inner peace.
(Painting by Shreyansh Talukdar)
3. Maa Chandraghanta
On Navratri’s third day, devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta, the fierce goddess with a crescent moon on her forehead. Riding a tiger and armed with weapons, she symbolizes courage and protection, dispelling fear and granting strength to those who seek her blessings.
(Painting by Shayna Gupta)
4. Maa Kushmanda
The fourth Sakti roop is Maa Kushmanda, who created the universe with her divine smile. Riding a lion and radiating cosmic energy, she symbolizes vitality, warmth, and growth. Her blessings bring health, prosperity, and light into devotees’ lives.
(Painting by Rita Mukherjee)
5. Skandamata
On the fifth day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Skandamata, the nurturing mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya). Seated on a lotus and often depicted holding her son, she symbolizes divine motherhood, protection, and wisdom. Her blessings bring strength, compassion, and spiritual growth to all who seek her grace
(Painting by Monidipa Das)
6. Maa Katyayani
On the sixth day, devotees worship Maa Katyayani, the fierce warrior goddess born to vanquish the demon Mahishasura. Riding a lion and wielding a sword and lotus, she symbolizes courage, righteousness, and divine justice. Her blessings remove obstacles and bring strength, clarity, and marital harmony.
(Painting by Advik Das)
7. Maa Kalaratri
The seventh among the Sakti Roops is Maa Kalaratri, the fiercest form of Durga. With dark complexion, disheveled hair, and riding a donkey, she destroys ignorance and evil. Her blessings remove fear, protect from negativity, and awaken spiritual strength and divine wisdom.
(Picture by Arpita Majumdar)
8. Maa Mahagauri
On the eighth day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, the radiant goddess of purity and serenity. Clad in white and riding a bull, she symbolizes inner peace, wisdom, and spiritual transformation. Her blessings cleanse past sins and guide devotees toward grace, calmness, and divine fulfillment.
(Painting by Krisha Tarafdar)
9. Maa Siddhidhatri
On the final day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Siddhidhatri. The ninth Sakti Roop, Maa Siddhidhatri, the goddess who grants siddhis—spiritual powers and divine wisdom. Seated on a lotus, she holds a discus, conch, mace, and lotus, radiating grace and fulfillment. Her blessings dissolve ignorance and awaken enlightenment, completing the Navadurga cycle.
(Painting by Shivansh Kanrar)
Ramayana
The Ramayana is a timeless epic centered on Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, revered as the embodiment of dharma, virtue, and ideal conduct. His life is a model of righteousness, compassion, and unwavering duty. Rama is often called Maryada Purushottama, meaning the supreme man of honor.
King Dasharath, though blessed with three queens—Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra—had no children. To fulfill his desire for heirs, he performed the Putreshti Yagya under Sage Rishyashringa’s guidance. The divine ritual blessed him with four sons: Ram (Kausalya), Bharat (Kaikeyi), and twins Lakshman and Shatrughna (Sumitra).
(Painting by Amrita Roy Choudhary)
Years earlier, Queen Kaikeyi had saved King Dasharath during a fierce battle. Grateful, Dasharath granted her two boons to be claimed anytime. When Rama was about to be crowned, Kaikeyi invoked those boons: she demanded that Bharat be declared crown prince and Rama be exiled to the forest for 14 years. Though heartbroken, Rama accepted his fate with grace. His wife Sita and loyal brother Lakshman chose to accompany him, marking the beginning of their profound journey of exile, trials, and dharma.
(Painting by Adrija Roy Choudary)
Ravan, the mighty king of Lanka, was captivated by Sita’s beauty and abducted her while she was alone in the forest. The noble bird Jatayu valiantly tried to rescue her, but Ravan mercilessly wounded him, cutting his wings. Gravely injured, Jatayu later informed Rama of Sita’s abduction and her journey to Lanka, setting the stage for Rama’s epic quest to rescue her and restore dharma.
(Painting by Anish Ray)
In his quest to rescue Sita, Rama met Hanuman and the monkey king Sugreev, forging a powerful alliance. With the help of the Vanara Sena (monkey army), they constructed the legendary Rama Setu, a bridge across the ocean to Lanka. Upon reaching Lanka, Rama initiated a fierce battle against Ravan, marking the climax of dharma versus adharma in the Ramayana. (Painting by Aranyak Mukherjee)
Before battling Ravan, Rama worshipped Maa Durga for nine nights – Navaratri, offering 108 lotuses. On the final day, one lotus was missing, so he vowed to sacrifice his own eye, known for its lotus-like beauty. Touched by his devotion, Durga appeared, blessed him with divine power and wisdom. This tale, known as Akalbodhan, marks the origin of autumnal Navratri worship, Durga Puja. (Painting by Annika Biswas & Tiana Biswas)
On the tenth day, Dashera, empowered by Maa Durga’s blessings, Rama launched his final assault on Ravan, the tyrant king of Lanka. A fierce battle unfolded. After vanquishing Ravan, Rama rescued Sita and restored dharma. This moment marks the spiritual climax of the Ramayana and is celebrated as Vijayadashami.
(Painting by Manoj Kumar Mandal)
After defeating Ravan, Rama took about 20 days to return from Lanka to Ayodhya by walking (check Google map) with Sita and Lakshman. Their homecoming is celebrated as Diwali, symbolizing joy and dharma restored. People light lamps to welcome them and perform Lakshmi Puja, honoring Sita as the divine goddess of prosperity and grace. (Painting by Neevan Naskar)
Tridev
Brahma:
Brahma is the creator. Brahma has got three heads—because one brain just isn’t enough for cosmic creativity! With triple the smarts, he’s the universe’s original multiprocessors. But even genius needs guidance, so he married Saraswati, goddess of knowledge. Basically, she’s the ‘AI’ to his divine workstation. Creation powered by wisdom and love!
(Painting by Aishani Das)
Vishnu:
Vishnu maintains the universe after Brahma creates it. Armed with Sudarshan Chakra and Gada, he protects the world and guides humans through epic avatars. He’s the divine troubleshooter—and with Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, he’s got cosmic maintenance and funding covered!
(Painting by Samodorshi Guha)
Shiva:
Shiva’s the cosmic cleanup crew—he destroys outdated stuff to cut maintenance costs and make room for fresh creation. But total destruction’s exhausting, so he chills with YOGA and NRITYA (dance). For serious muscle, he married Durga, goddess of strength. Together, they’re the ultimate power couple of peace and pulverization!
(Painting by Manoj Kumar Mandal)
Mahishashur Mardini
Daemon king, Mahishasur performed severe penance to Lord Brahma, offering years of devotion. Pleased, Brahma appeared before him and offered a boon. With a voice thick with contempt, Mahishasur asked, “Grant me invincibility against all men. No male shall ever defeat me.”
(Painting by Mehuly Mandal)
Mahishasur stormed heaven, defeated Devraj Indra, and seized the celestial throne. Humiliated, the gods united and sought divine intervention from Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva to restore cosmic balance.
(Painting by Anya Ray)
From the fury of the Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, other gods and the womb of divine power, rose Durga—a goddess forged of fire, armed with celestial weapons. She was beauty and wrath, compassion and vengeance.
(Painting by Syed Nazafarin Nouf )
Mahishasur scoffed at her arrival. But as the battle raged, his arrogance crumbled. For every blow he struck, she returned tenfold. And in the final moment, when his monstrous form shifted from buffalo to man to lion to serpent, Durga pierced his heart with Thrishul to seek justice. (Painting by Riddhima Mukherjee)
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