Bengal Lithograph
Region / Date
Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India
ca. 1870-1880
Early devotional print tradition
Key Features
This evocative lithograph portrays Goddess Jagadhatri, a revered manifestation of Durga, widely worshipped in Bengal and Odisha. Her name-Jagadhatri, meaning “She who sustains the world”-captures her role as the cosmic nurturer and stabilizing force of the universe.
Seated gracefully upon her lion mount, Jagadhatri is depicted in a moment of poised शक्ति. Beneath the lion lies a subdued elephant-symbolizing the conquest of ego and uncontrolled pride. This imagery reflects a deeper philosophical truth: true power lies in inner restraint and spiritual mastery.
Her four-armed form carries profound symbolic meaning:
- The discus (chakra) and conch (shankha) connect her to Vishnu, representing preservation and cosmic order.
- The bow and arrow signify focus, शक्ति, and the destruction of ignorance.
Her third eye, prominently placed on her forehead, marks divine perception and aligns her with Shiva, while the serpent rising near her shoulder reinforces this Shaivite connection-symbolizing energy, transformation, and awakened consciousness.
Jagadhatri is adorned in rich red garments, the color of शक्ति and auspiciousness, and crowned with a radiant halo that emphasizes her divine sovereignty.
The composition is stylistically rooted in 19th-century Calcutta lithographic art, where sacred imagery was rendered with bold outlines and selective hand-coloring. The limited palette—dominated by crimson, ochre, and muted tones—enhances the devotional intensity of the image while preserving its antique charm.
Jagadhatri Puja, especially celebrated in Bengal’s Hooghly region during the month of Kartik (November), continues this living tradition-bridging past and present through ritual, art, and community devotion.
Museum-Grade Poster Details
Size: 18 × 24 inches
Paper: 350 GSM archival matte paper
Print Quality: High-resolution reproduction preserving original lithographic textures and hand-coloring
Finish: Non-glare museum matte finish
Ideal For: Home temples, Durga devotees, festive decor, and collectors of Bengal devotional prints
Why You’ll Love It
This artwork embodies calm शक्ति-strength with grace, making it a powerful yet serene presence for any sacred or living space.
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Bring home the divine grace of Goddess Jagadhatri, the sustainer of the universe and a symbol of inner balance and शक्ति.
Available in 18 × 24 inches, with framed and unframed options, exclusively at The Soma Store.