This form of the Goddess is seen as a symbol of feminine and creative energy (Shakthi). Durga Devi is also known as Mahishasura Mardhini (Goddess Killer of the Buffalo Demon). As per Skanda Purana, she is Parvathi who took on the role of a warrior at Lord Shiva’s request to kill the giant demon.
The demon cannot be killed by any of the gods because he is protected against the torments of any male by a special boon. Parvathi was able to kill him; hence the Goddess is named Durga.
Goddess Durga is possibly one of the most powerful of all Indian Goddesses. She is worshiped in numerous forms and viewed by her devotees to be the supreme deity, as powerful as the supreme male deity. Durga arrives on earth with four different powers essential for the existence of a state – the powers of knowledge representing intellectuals, chivalry indicating soldiers, wealth denoting businessmen, and physical strength representing both agricultural and industrial workers. In southern parts of India Sri Durga is worshiped in HER peaceful form as Shaanta Durga. In this form, SHE sits on a lion, and has fewer hands and weapons. SHE is called Amman to signify HER form as the Mother, and also as Bhaghavathi.