Bakreswar Temple

Mahishmardini or Devi Mahishasurmardini is depicted as a ten-handed mother,  seated on a ferocious lion, slaying Mahishasur –the buffalo demon. In honour of this form of Devi Durga, a hymn called the ‘Mahishasur Mardini Stotram’ is sung everyday at the temple after the Prabhat and Sandhy Aratis, the words to which are:

Ayi Shata-Khanndda Vikhannddita-Runndda Vitunnddita-Shunnda Gaja-adhipate
Ripu-Gaja-Ganndda Vidaaranna-Canndda Paraakrama-Shunndda Mrga adhipate |
Nija-Bhuja-Danndda Nipaatita-Khanndda Vipaatita-Munndda Bhatta- adhipate
Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura-Mardini Ramya-Kapardini Shaila-Sute.

Roughly translated, this reads as:

Salutations to the Conquerer of the Enemy’s elephants who cut off their trunks and heads, and the headless bodies into  a hundred pieces,
Whose lion fiercely tore asunder the faces of the powerful elephants of the Enemies,
Who felled the heads of demons Chanda and Munda with the weapons in Her hands and conquered the Warriors,
Victory to You, the Destroyer of the Demon Mahishasura,  You with the beautiful Locks of hair, Daughter of the Mountains.