Kali Pooja is a ritualistic worship of Goddess Kali, who is one of the many forms of Adi Parashakti or the Divine Mother. It is also called Shyama Pooja or Mahanisha Pooja. The Pooja takes place on Amavasya or the new moon day (Dipannita Amavasya) of Kartik month in the Hindu calendar. It is on the same day as Lakshmi Pooja which is performed during Diwali. In India, the Bengalis, Assamese, Odias, and Maithils worship Kali on this day. But in other Indian states and Nepal, Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi as part of the Diwali rituals.
Kali and the Demons
Once, two demons, Shumbha and Nishnumbha, got a boon from Lord Brahma that no man would kill them. Soon, they began to run riot and caused a lot of problems in heaven. As the gods could not harm them, Goddess Parvati created another Goddess called Kaushiki from her own self to fight the demons. But after this, Parvati became black in color and got the name Kalika. Seeing the beauty of the new Goddess, the demons Chanda and Munda, who were the followers of Shumbha and Nishumbha, told them about her.
Shumbha and Nishumbha lost no time in sending her a marriage proposal. But the Goddess replied that she would marry only someone who would conquer her in battle. So the demons sent their army to fight her, but she vanquished them in no time. She also killed Chanda and Munda after taking the form of Mahakali. Hence, she got the name Chamunda.
But after killing the demons, she lost control and went on a rampage, killing humans. To save them, Lord Shiva lay down before her.
When she stepped on Lord Shiva’s chest, Kali came to her senses and stopped killing people. Since then, Kali has been depicted with her foot on Shiva.
Origin of Kali Pooja
Kali Pooja was not known before the 16th century. It was Sage Krishnananda Agambagish who first started Kali Pooja. The late 17th-century text, Kalika Mangalkavya, talks about an annual festival that honors Kali. In the 18th century, King (Raja) Krishnachandra of Krishnanagar, Nadia, West Bengal, popularized this Pooja. He started the first Pooja, and everyone in his domain was told to follow suit. The annual Kali Pooja was continued by his grandson Ishwarchandra and the elite Bengalis. Along with Durga Pooja, Kali Pooja soon became one of the biggest festivals in Bengal.
It gained more fame in the 19th century, thanks to Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who was much revered by Bengalis.
Kali Pooja Rituals
During Kali Pooja, devotees perform worship to the Goddess in their homes by installing clay idols in their homes and pandals. They worship her at night with Tantric rites and Mantras. Offerings include red hibiscus flowers, rice, lentils, and sweets. The devotees have to meditate all through the night until dawn breaks.
The rites can be in the Brahminical or non-Tantric tradition, too, with the ritual dressing of Kali as Adya Shakti Kali and no animal sacrifices. But in the Tantric tradition, devotees sacrifice animals ritually on Kali Pooja day and offer them to the Goddess.
Kali Pooja in places like Kolkata, Guwahati, and Bhubaneshwar is held in a large cremation ground, where she supposedly resides.
In some regions of North Parganas, like Barasat, Barrackpore, Naihati, and Madhyamgram, one can see majestic pandals, lighting, and idols. Lakhs of people from different regions come to have a glimpse of these awe-inspiring pandals.
The pandals also have idols of Kali's consort, Shiva, two well-known Bengali devotees of Kali, called Ramakrishna and Bamakhepa, as well as scenes from the mythological stories of the Goddess and her many forms, including the Mahavidyas. The Mahavidyas comprise a group of ten Tantric goddesses led by Kali.
Throughout the night, devotees throng the pandals. Magic shows, plays, and fireworks are also part of the celebrations.
In places like the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, and the Kalikhetra Temple in Bhubaneshwar, devotees worship Kali as Lakshmi on this day. They worship Lakshmi in her three forms, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali, and Maha Saraswati, on this day. Yet another renowned temple for Kali in Kolkata is the Dakshineshwar Temple, where Sri Rāmakrishna performed rites.
The Power of Goddess Kali
Though her appearance evokes fear and terror, Kali is also a loving and caring mother to her devotees. She is the embodiment of supreme power, one who rules time and eternity. Through her worship, we can get rid of all our impurities and negative traits. Her blessings can remove our sorrows and sufferings. All the evil things inside and outside us will be destroyed, like the demons she killed.
