Kali Puja

Kali Puja, an auspicious and important occasion in West Bengal and in other parts of the country will be celebrated on  November 12th, 2023. 

Also known as Shyama Puja and Mahanisha Puja, Kali Puja is a significant Hindu festival that typically takes place during the new moon night in the Hindu month of Kartik which usually falls in October or November in the Gregorian Calendar. 

The Significance of Kali Puja in Hinduism

This festival celebrates the formidable feminine energy and power of Goddess Kali who is worshiped for her fierceness, protection, and devotion. 

Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali, one of the most powerful and fiercest forms of Maa Durga, Kali Puja represents the destruction of evil and the triumph of justice which makes her the symbol of courage strength, and protection. 

Goddess Kali is often depicted with a dark complexion and adorned with a garland of skulls which signifies the eradication of evil forces and the ultimate victory of truth. 

The core legend of her defeating the demon Mahishasura, which was considered invincible, indicates the festival's significance as a powerful symbol of the victory of virtue over vice.

Devotees invoke Kali's blessings to protect them from harm and to find the inner strength to overcome the challenges of life.

Kali Puja also carries a profound spiritual significance beyond the mythological story and reminds us of the brief and recurring nature of existence. Goddess Kali symbolizes both creation and destruction while her dark complexion represents the unmatched potential from which the universe begins. 

Why The Amavasya Tithi Is Important For Kali Puja

Amavasya is the darkest night of a lunar month when the moon is not visible in the sky and this darkness signifies the primordial, formless state of the universe.

Goddess Kali is also often seen with a dark complexion for this reason, to show the ultimate reality of the universe beyond every name and form. 

Amavasya or the new moon is also considered an auspicious time for invoking the divine feminine energy of Shakti. 

The Legend of Maa Kali 

The legend of Maa Kali is one of the most powerful and interesting in Hindu mythology as it shows the strength of a woman. 

Kali is often portrayed as a fierce and petrifying deity due to her popular legend of defeating the demon Mahishasura.

Mahishasura was a powerful demon who pleased Lord Brahma and asked him to grant him the wish of being undefeatable by any man or God. Upon being granted the wish, he took advantage of his newfound powers and wreaked havoc on mankind and the heavens. 

The deities were in a pickle as they were unable to defeat him and in their desperation, they combined their divine energies from which rose Maa Kali.

Maa Kali appeared as a dark and scary figure with two pairs of arms each holding a weapon and was adorned with garlands made up of demon heads  

This led to a fierce battle between Kali and Mahishasura which lasted for a long time Mahishasura tried several ways to defeat Kali but she was unstoppable. In the end, Kali won a resounding victory over Mahishasura slaying him with her sword. 

This symbolizes that no matter how powerful evil is, victory will always be with righteousness. 

Kali is often depicted in her victory pose, standing with one foot on Mahishasura's chest, reminding believers of the ultimate defeat of evil forces.

Customs of Kali Puja

During Kali Puja, devotees worship Goddess Kali in their homes through clay sculptures and temporary shrines similar to the Durga Puja celebration.

Kali puja is done mainly at night and includes several rituals like aarti, sacrifice, havan, and so on. The puja often goes on throughout the night and lasts until dawn. There are several ways of celebrating Kali Puja. havan, and so on. The puja often goes on throughout the night and lasts till dawn. There are several ways of celebrating Kali Puja. 

For example, the Brahmin way to celebrate Kali Puja is by worshiping Adya Shakti Kali, and no animals are sacrificed but in the Tantric way, animal sacrifices are a must. 

Kali Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm across West Bengal and some great well-known pandals are Dinhata, Naihati, North 24 Paraganas, etc. Dinhata, Naihati, North 24 Paraganas, etc. 

Some temples dedicated to Kali that are crowded throughout the year by people all over the world are Dakshineswar Kali Temple and the Kalighat Kali Temple. We cannot forget about Tarapith and Khepa Kali in Katwa during this time of the year. Dakshineswar Kali Temple and the Kalighat Kali Temple. We cannot forget about Tarapith and Khepa Kali in Katwa during this time of the year. 

How Kali Puja is Celebrated

The pandals come alive at night with the glow of countless oil lamps and the hypnotic sound of devotional songs and rhythmic drum beats. Devotees flock in large numbers to honor the fierce yet benevolent goddess.

They make symbolic offerings such as red hibiscus flowers, sweets, and other sacred items. The fragrance of incense fills the air, as gives the warmth of collective devotion. Kali Puja is also a time for cultural expression, with music, dance, and theater performances taking place throughout West Bengal.

The festive spirit is enhanced by grand processions, magic shows, and fireworks, making it a time of communal bonding and shared cultural heritage. Overall, Kali Puja is a dynamic fusion of religious devotion, ritual, and celebration.

Kali Puja is usually celebrated during Diwali in West Bengal. 

Other Indian Celebrations You Should Read About

• Durga Puja
• Ganesh Chaturthi
• Janmashtami