The Markandeya Purana is a Sanskrit text of Hinduism, and one of the eighteen major Puranas. The text's title Markandeya refers to a sage in Hindu mythology, who is the central character in two legends, one linked to Shiva and other to Vishnu. The Markandeya text is one of the Puranas that lacks a sectarian presentation of ideas in favor of any particular god, and it is rare to read any deity being invoked or deity prayers in the entire text.
The oldest surviving manuscript of the Devi Māhātmya (part of Markandeya Purana), on palm-leaf, in an early Bhujimol script, Nepal, 11th century.
The Early 1st-Millennium Dadhimati Mata Temple Of Rajasthan, Near Jodhpur And Bikaner, That Preserves An Inscription From Markandeya Purana. The Temple Inscription Has Been Dated To The Early Seventh Century CE.
Goddess Durga killing Mahishasura, Sacred idol in Rani ki vav
Durga is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars.
'Durga in Combat with the Bull, Mahishasura', 19th century painting
Durga killing Mahishasura in a Durga Puja celebration in Bengal
Durga festival images (clockwise from top): Durga Puja pandal with a Durga idol with 1 million hands standing on top a bull's head to symbolize her victory over Mahishasura in Kolkata, Dancing on Vijaya Dashami, women smearing each other with colour, and family get together for Dashain in Nepal.