Many people have doubt as to Goddess Durga rides a lion or tiger. Frankly, lion or tiger should be of no matter to a devotee. It is not the animal that matters but the symbolism. Lion is mentioned as the vahana or vehicle in the Devi Mahatmya – the story of Goddess Durga is based on it. But Devi Mahatmya was composed during the sixth century AD. Goddess Durga was worshipped for several hundred years before the composition of the scripture. History The lion first appeared along with Goddess Durga during the late Kushan Period (2nd Century BC to 3rd century AD). Lion is the king of animals and Goddess Durga is the primordial Goddess. She is the all-powerful and her mount had to be of similar qualities. Thus, lion was chosen. The forest tribes of Bharat who worshipped Goddess Durga from time immemorial associated her with tiger. Large relief panels began to appear from the 5th century AD in which Goddess Durga is depicted along with lion. Calendars with image of Godde
The decline in the worship of Indra , the ancient Vedic god of rain, thunder, and war, in Hinduism can be attributed to several factors: Evolution of Hindu Pantheon: Over time, Hinduism underwent significant changes, with the emergence of new deities and the reinterpretation of existing ones. As Hinduism evolved, deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi gained prominence, overshadowing lesser-known gods like Indra. Shift in Religious Focus: The focus of Hindu worship shifted from the Vedic gods to more accessible deities like Vishnu and Shiva, who are believed to be more directly involved in the lives of devotees. These deities are often seen as more personal and approachable, thus attracting greater devotion. Demotion of Indra: In some Hindu scriptures, Indra is portrayed as a flawed deity who is sometimes depicted as being arrogant, insecure, and even morally compromised. Such depictions might have contributed to a decline in his popularity among worshippers. Rise of Devotional