Durga confronts the Bull Demon, Mahishasura (An Illustration from a Markandeya Purana Series)

Durga, in her multi-armed avatar, is shown marching towards the buffalo demon Mahishasura in this Jaipur school miniature painting depicting an episode from the Markandeya Purana. As she rides her mount, she is accompanied by an army on foot. She holds an array of weapons in her vermillion-stained hands and wears heavy armour over an attire that is characteristic of the region—a ghagra-choli. Set in a mountainous landscape, the demon’s darkened body stands starkly against the white hills. The image is set within a solid yellow and red border that is typical of the miniature style.