There are various prevailing ideas regarding the use of a horse as Durga’s mount in Durga Puja in Bengal. Some horses in pujas have faces similar to a lion or dragon. Some of the main reasons are described below.
Role of Raja Krishnachandra
In the eighteenth century, Raja Krishnachandra of Nadia worshipped the Goddess in her warrior form. Since horses played a crucial role on the battlefield, he chose the horse as the Goddess’s mount to match her warrior aspect. Even today, many places follow this tradition and create such idols.Differences between Shakta and Vaishnava traditions
At one time, disagreements arose between the Shakta and Vaishnava communities regarding worship practices. The Shaktas emphasized the lion—symbol of power—as the Goddess’s mount. However, the Vaishnavas, who followed slightly different traditions, depicted the Goddess’s mount as a lion with a horse-like face. For this reason, such idols can still be seen in some old households.Influence of the British era
According to some historians, Durga Puja celebrations in zamindar households became grander during the British period. Since the symbol of the British Empire was the horse, zamindars would sometimes give the lion in the idol a horse-like form to please the Company.
Scriptural significance
Additionally, the Goddess Durga’s arrival and departure take place using different mounts, determined according to the Hindu almanac. These mounts include the swing, boat, elephant, horse, and palanquin. If Saptami or Dashami falls on a Saturday or Tuesday, the Goddess is believed to arrive or depart riding a horse. It is thought that this belief may also have influenced the depiction of the horse as her mount. Scripturally, a horse as the Goddess’s vehicle is considered to bring inauspicious results, indicating social unrest and war.Thus, the presence of a horse instead of a lion in Durga Puja idols is not merely an anomaly—it carries with it long-standing religious beliefs, historical events, and scriptural interpretations.