Celebration of Kali Puja

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Celebration of Kali Puja

In Bengal, Diwali is celebrated as Kali Puja and the Goddess Kali is

worshipped. Kali Puja is only a one-night festival, which falls on

the darkest night of Amavasya. The word "Kali" comes from the well-

known word Kala, time. She is the power of time - all-destroying and

all-devouring and symbolizes strength and energy. The image of Kali

has been created by man as a fearful Goddess standing on the chest of

Lord Shiva, her spouse. She is almost deep blue or black in her

complexion. She wears a garland of fifty human heads of skulls with a

skirt of human hands. She has four hands and her hair is completely

disheveled. In her upper hands, she holds a severed head and sword or

chopper. But the two lower hands are in the Abhaya and Varada Mudras.

After her victory over the demons, she danced in such an ecstasy that

she was uncontrollable.

 

Kali developed her thirst for blood after killing the demon

Raktavera. Lord Brahma had granted a boon to Raktavera that every

drop of blood which fell from his body would be able to produce

thousands more like him. The only way Kali could kill him was to hold

him high, pierce him with a spear and drink all his blood as it

gushed out. Kali is often portrayed with her tongue hanging out and

her mouth dripping blood. This is said to signify the force that

gives impetus to all activities.

 

Lord Shiva, in order to stop her "intoxication" lay like a corpse

among the corpses in wait for her. When Kali stepped upon Lord Shiva,

she suddenly realised her mistake and put out her tongue in shame!

Though Kali is the supreme energy responsible for the dissolution,

she is also the all-merciful mother. Through her Abhaya and Varada

Mudras, she is reassuring her devotees of her protection and granting

them boons.

 

During Diwali, amongst illuminations and the lighting of

firecrackers, Goddess Kali is worshipped by one and all with great

religiosity.Crackers are burst to get rid of evil spirits.

 

Kali assumed different names in different regions. In Andhra Pradesh

and Karnataka she is Chamundeshwari, in Kanchi she is known by

Kamakshi. In Madurai Kali is Meenakshi and further down South, she is

Mukh Ambika. In the eastern region she came to be known as Mahakali.