மஹிஷா சூரமர்தினி A thread on depiction of Mahishasurmardini across India m

A thread on depiction of Mahishasurmardini across India, have tried to include different architectural styles and geography(places I have visited).

Starting off with the Mahishasurmardini Cave Temple in Mamallapuram on the shores of roaring Bay of Bengal.

Further inland in Tamil Nadu, this unusual depiction of the Devi standing on the head of a buffalo can be found in the Brihadishvara Temple in Thanjavur. 

In the Badami(Karnataka) Cave Temples this imposing carving can be found in Cave no 1. 

Another masterpiece from the Badami Chalukyas style of architecture in the Durga Temple in Aihole built in the 7th-8th century. 

Only brilliance is the result of a Hoysala chisel, Mahishasurmardini(12th century) from Kalkere. This is housed in the ASI museum in Shimoga, Karnataka 

Mahishasur depicted as human with a buffalo head, this exquisite sculpture is found in the 8th century Vaital Temple in Bhubhaneswar. 

From east to west, this elegant sculpture can be found in the 11th century Rani ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat. 

Further north nestled amidst the rolling hills around Udaipur is the small village of Jagat known for the Ambika Temple. This 10th century temple has many carvings of Devis, including Mahishasurmardini, on the outer walls. 

This carving can be found in the Sacchiya Mata Temple, in the once important trading town of Osian with the sands of the Thar Desert just outside the town. 

Now turning our attention to the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh. This weathered but stark carving can be found in the Cave Temples of Vidisha. 

Further north in the temple town of Deogarh along the meandering waters of Betwa, this carving can be found in the towering sandstone bluffs along the river close to the Jain Temple Complex. 

Facing the snow capped peak of Bandarpoonch that gives birth to Yamuna and Tons, this neat moorti is found in the Shiva Temple complex in Lakhamandal, Uttarakhand.

Another one from Uttarakhand in wood, this carving can be seen in the Raghunath Temple in Pujaili in the upper reaches of Yamuna valley. 

Traveling further north in the Himalayas and across the border into Himachal, this carving surrounded by some exquisite woodwork can be seen in the Baneshwar Temple in Pujarli in Rohru district.

another one from Himachal in the Shiva Temple in Baijnath in Kangra district with the white snow of the Dhauladhar mountains as the backdrop. 

Rampaging Mahākālī, Baijnāth Temple, Kangra, HP, Dated 1204 CE

Wears garland of skull, depicted as holding sword-khadaga in her right-top-hand & scimitar-katāri in the right-bottom, laughing at her enemies(left-top-hand position) & adorned as Jaya-Durgā in complete battle armour