This handwritten book is a copy of the Devimahatmya, a collection of hymns that glorifies the Great Goddess Devi (also called Durga). It details her conception, in which all the gods in the vast Hindu pantheon contribute their powers to her being so she may conquer a variety of demons that repeatedly threaten the universe. The beautifully painted wooden covers illustrate some of these battles as well as other portions of the text where, in a peaceful form, Devi grants boons to her devotees-gods and humans alike. As a physical embodiment of the Great Goddess, Devimahatmya books also are worshiped as religious icons. The text is often read aloud, particularly during the Nepalese Navaratra festival where its recitation is believed to retain the Devi's presence in a desired locale, such as a temple or house.

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