Whenever we think of Maa Kali a picture in our mind pops which is fierce and violent. Goddess Kali image depicts her foot on the chest of Lord Shiva, wearing a garland of severed heads and hands, with a sword in one hand and a slaughtered head in another and a red tongue hanging with fuming eyes.
She is the incarnation of Goddess Durga in vicious shape that is acknowledged as Female power and courage i.e. why it won’t be wrong to call her a goddess representing Nari Shakti.
Kali Puja – A Symbol of (Nari Shakti)
Goddess Kali’s name is derived from a Sanskrit word Kal which means the time that is why she is seen as eternal. However, her appearance is aggressive and is fearsome but for devotees, she is a loving and caring mother who is always there to protect her child.
Goddess Kali fights for integrity and destroys all the devils. She has prevalently called as Shyama, Kalika, Kaal Nashini, Chamunda, Bhadra Kali, Shyama Kali, Adya Maa, Tara Maa and many more.
Kali is worshipped in Navaratri’s and has a significant worship day i.e. on Diwali Kali Puja, Shyama Puja or Tantrik Kali Puja which falls on Diwali days of Kartik month on October or November as per Hindu calendar (Panchaang). This is the famous festival of north-eastern states especially West Bengal.
Kali Puja Dates in 2018
This year Kali Puja is on 6th November 2018. Kali Puja is celebrated on new moon day at midnight when new moon prevails and this may precede Lakshmi Puja.
The significance of Kali Puja is to eradicate all the negativity and bring positivity in one’s life. Goddess Kali is worshipped to bless devotees with health, wealth, prosperity, peace, protection and courage to fight against ills.
Kali Puja Derivation
Kali Puja is not an ancient ritual and is not cited in any Vedas as it was started by two King’s Krishnachandra and Navadvipa in the 18th century in West Bengal and was preceded by his son Ishvarchandra in the 19th century with great enthusiasm. This was then popularised and is still continued as a grandiose festival.
Legend of Maa Kali
There is a legend in Hindu Mythology which states that there were two demons (Rakshasa) Shambhu and Nishambhu that were creating rumpus in the heaven and stride themselves to the Himalayas to capture Maa Durga.
A battle took place between King Indira and the devils in which gods were defeated. At that moment Maa Durga went ferocious and turns to Maa Kali.
After demolishing devils she went impetuous and lost control over her and started killing humans. To save innocent people Lord Shiva placed himself in front of the goddess.
As soon as she stepped on Lord Shiva’s chest her tongue came out as she realized her mistake and conciliate herself. From this momentous day picture of Kali is depicted as her foot on God Shiva.
What Does Goddess Kali Image Symbolize?
- Maa Kali’s Colour – Black color is natural and mystic in nature.
- Kali’s nakedness – She is a transparent soul which is liberated from all illusions.
- 50 Humans Head garland – These heads symbolizes truth and Sanskrit scriptures.
- White Teeth and Red tongue – White teeth is a form of inner purity and red tongue depicts her undiscriminating nature.
- Girdle of Slaughtered heads – Shows that Karma is the deed and her blessings by incising Karma cycle.
- Severed head and a Sword in hand – Represents triumph of wisdom and truth and destruction of ignorance.
- Three Eyes – Three eyes characterize time past, present, and future and sun, moon and fire.
Famous Kali Mandir in India
- Dakshineshwar Temple – Built By Rani Rasmoni of Kolkata.
- Kalighat Temple – This temple is an antediluvian temple in Kolkata West Bengal.
- Kamakhya Temple –This one is a famous temple situated in Assam’s Guwahati Neelanchala Parvata and belongs to Shakti Peeth.
- Tarapith Temple – It is situated on the banks of river Dwarka at Birbhum which is 300Kms away from Kolkata WB.
Kali Puja Components
- Incense sticks
- Earthen Lamp
- Red Hibiscus flower
- Red Vermillion or Red Sandal
- Coconut
- Rice
- Darba Grass
- Lekhani Dawat (Pen and Inkpot)
- Image of Goddess Kali, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Vishnu
It is said that Maa Kali accepts everything in offerings whatever you offer her with purity as she is a loving mother although the above-stated things are particular as per devotees for prayers.
Kali Puja Rituals
This festival is celebrated similarly as Durga Puja and seeks grand attention with crafting huge idols, podiums and flower decorations. Communal grounds are decorated with Kali idols and people offer the prayer together and receive Prasad which is Khichdi, Labra/, and some vegetables.
There are two ways to do Kali Puja- Brahmin way and Tantrik way.
Tantrik Puja includes all the rites followed at midnight to make goddess happy. For that, they use red color hibiscus flowers, red vermillion, skull, blood, and animal sacrifice. This is carried at midnight till dawn to achieve Tantrik Siddhi (supernatural powers). No matter how it is done but it is still practiced.
Individuals offer prayers to Goddess Kali in temples, homes and huge podiums in common grounds. It is inherited and will continue to seek blessings from the divinity. It is the festival of colors, spirituality, love, faith and social gatherings.
KALI PUJA AARTI (Prayer) in English
“Om namo mahakali roopam shakti tu jyoth swaroopa mare
Pavagadh wali maiya pyari daya karo mahakali re – 2
Shumbha nishumba ko tumne maraa ratabij ko sanharare
Dushto ko sauharane wali daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Suraj chanda me roop saamaya tara ko roopa tu pyaara hey
Bhaktoke dukhaharani wali daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Tere roop ke dekhe jwalaa daakina bhi darajati re
Santaguni janaa tumko puje daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Daksha ke kunda me tu samaakar paravati bann aayi re
Mahima tere bare nerali daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Kalcatte me tu kali maa jai jagajanani jwala re
Aao maa aao bhakt pukaare daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Aakhand jyot tumhaari hey maiyaa saare graho ko sudhaare re
Laaja rakho hey pavagadh wali daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Haathe tu siraape rakhate maiya tujhsana koii nyarare
Hey bramhaani hey kalyaani daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Vidya roop toh vishwa vidhaata maa kali meri maata re
Bhakto paramaa maine tumhaare daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Koyi mantra tantra naahi chane uspe jo maa tere sahaare re
Dwaarakare tu bisobhuja se daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Hara ek khota karma hatave bhaari dukha mitaave re
Sharaname tere maa hum aaye daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Tere krupa ke kirane maiya humko shakti deti re
Sharaname aaye tere saavaali daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Huma agyaani hey sansaari momayaa me uuljhe re
Hamare moha ke bandhane kaato daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Shesha mahesha ke re gunn gaani bramhaa paarana pave re
Vishnu ji kare prathana tere daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Taaranahaari taaro humko paap hamaari mitaao re
Rehima karo hey maa rakhavaali daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Angha peyra aura rogaa naaaave jo tere gunagaave re
Bhakto ke bhava vaathaa haraani daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Bhuta preta tere naama se bhaage sankata kabhi naa aave re
Naiyaa parana gaanevali daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Pooja ko tithi vidhi naa jaanu vishwambhara kya bhakaanoo re
Darashana deydo din daayaali daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Mantra tantra ko mai naa jaanu maiyaa parhu chaalisa re
Jeevana me maa karana uljaalaa daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Beychaa bhavaar me phasi hey naiya aakara lajj bachaanaa re
Sad buddhi ka daana he deynaa daaya karo mahakali re
Daaya karo mahakali re
Om namo mahakali roopam shakti tu jyoth swaroopa mare
Pavagadh wali maiya pyari daya karo mahakali re”