Maa Durga with five hands in Tikuli paintings by Ashok Kumar

Tikuli artist Ashok Kumar depicts Maa Sherawali with multiple arms, each holding a different weapon signifying her ability to protect and fight against evil forces. She is shown riding a lion or a tiger, which represents her courage and strength, wearing a crown. Additionally, the third eye on her forehead symbolizes her higher perception and intuition, emphasized to convey the goddess’s ability to guide her devotees toward inner awakening and enlightenment.. Maa Sherawali’s most famous fable is her triumph over the demon Mahishasura. This victory represents the eternal battle between good and evil. In Tikuli paintings, this story is symbolically depicted to emphasize the goddess’s role in overcoming challenges and restoring cosmic harmony.