The day of Durga's victory

Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra is one of the most important Hindu festivals. The day marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.

This sculpture from the 13th century Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura depicts the battle between Durga and the demon Mahishasura...

Here's the story depicted in the above sculpture...

As per Shiva Purana and Devi Mahatmyah, Mahishasura, the son of demon Rambha, unleashed a reign of terror on earth. When gods intervened, Mahishasura defeated gods and banished them from heaven. Vanquished, gods, headed by Brahma and Vishnu, sought Lord Shiva's help. As they narrated their woeful tale, immense mass of light manifested from Lord Shiva's left half, which was joined by similar rays that emerged from the enraged faces of gods. This mass of light transformed into a woman with ten arms. Adishakti re-manifested as Durga to slay Mahishasura. Armed with celestial weapons of all deities and decked with divine ornaments, Durga rode into the battle field and challenged demons for battle. Mahishasura's entire army, led by demons like Chikshur, Chamar, Asiloma, Vidalaksha, Durdhara, Durmukha, Mahahanu and many more attacked Durga at once. But Durga slew all of them with unparalleled cruelty. An enraged Mahishasura attacked Durga in guise of a buffalo. But Durga bound it with ropes. The buffalo morphed into a lion and lept on Durga, but she beheaded it with her sword. At this, Mahishasura began to fight in the form of a swordsman. Durga pinned him down with a torrent of arrows. Mahishasura now assumed form of a giant elephant and tugged at Durga's lion. Durga lopped off its trunk with her sword and freed her lion. The elephant turned into a buffalo and charged at Durga. Sipping from her wine cup, Durga flung her trident and beheaded Mahishasura, finally killing him.