The idol of Goddess Durga represents cosmic power, divine protection, and energy, and every feature holds a great deal of importance. While the generally known features like weapons, lions, and her ten arms are mostly highlighted, a fascinating lesser-known fact is the minute spider.
This little spider is occasionally found on Durga idols, especially in Eastern India, between the nose and forehead of the Goddess. But why this placement?
A tweet on X (previously Twitter) posted an interesting thought after seeing the spider. “Just as the spider creates the web and knows not to be trapped in it, the Goddess who is Mahamaya, the ultimate maya Herself, creates the universe—the Maya (illusion), but leaves the web of illusion untouched and unaffected by her own creation,” the tweep described.
Upon closely studying the Bengali style pratimas of the Goddesses, particularly of Goddess Durga and Her forms, a subtle but interesting symbol caught my attention – the spider ?️ (the Urnanabha) placed between the forehead and nose of the Goddess.
Continued.. pic.twitter.com/3yxi66ABqx
— ঘোররূপা (@_Agnijwala_) April 15, 2025
Maya, the universe, is at the mercy of the Goddess and cannot ever come above her. The spider thus represents her divine presence and transcendence. It expresses the thought that while the Goddess generates the illusion and lives within it, she is impervious to it. The presence of the spider with such elegance represents this symbolism, especially as found with the works of Bengali artists.
In rural Bengal, and other folk traditions, the spider is considered a humble gift and guardian. It is considered an insect that guards the Goddess and her followers, representing vigilance and divine attention to detail.Putting it on the idol by artists recognizes the value of humility in front of divine power.
Finally, the small spider on the idol of Goddess Durga, small as it is, is very important. It speaks about how even the smallest thing, in its position, has its own intentional role in the large cosmic scheme of things.
