Durga Mahishasuramardini

Kailasa Museum, Dieng Plateau

The statue of Durga killing the buffalo demon (Mahishasuramardini) is displayed in the Kailasa Museum. Durga is, in some traditions, a consort of Shiva. A museum sign associates this statue with the north exterior niche of Candi Puntadeva. Statues of Durga (N), Ganesha (E), and Agastya (S) are often found in Shiva temples of this period.

The museum, which displays temple sculptures found on the Dieng Plateau, is named after Mt. Kailasa, the home of Shiva. We were fortunate to visit the museum in August, 2008, less than a month after its official opening.