Festive Celebration of Kali Puja on Diwali

 

 

 

Kali Puja is celebrated with pomp and glory in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and Tripura on the night of Amavasya or the no moon night in Kartik month of the traditional Hindu calendar. Apart from these Indian states, the rest of India worships goddess Lakshmi on Diwali. The pandals are decorated and the clay idol of goddess Kali is established there. Puja or worshiping of the goddess is performed at midnight chanting tantras and mantras and offering red hibiscus flowers, rice and lentils, sweets, fish and meat. However, sacrificing animals during Kali Puja is also a part of the rituals.

Goddess Kali is also known as Shyama, Ma Tara, Chamundi, Dakshina Kalika, Adya Maa, Shayama Kali, and Bhadra Kali. It is believed that Goddess Kali is the first of the ten incarnations of Goddess Durga. The fierce and terrifying look of Goddess Kali represents the most aggressive form of Durga Ma.

The image or idol of Kali which we worship is usually depicted as the Goddess Kali steps her foot on her husband Lord Shiva's chest with her tongue out wearing a garland of skulls and swords tainted with blood in her hands. The story behind the puja, according to legends, tells about the wicked demons Shambhu and Nishambhu who declare war upon Indra, the King of gods. The frighten gods of heaven seek protection from Maa Durga, the Goddess of Shakti or Power.

According to legends, Goddess Durga in order to save heaven and earth from the hands of demons took the incarnation of Kali by taking birth from Durga's forehead as Kal Bhoi Nashini. She fought fiercely and ultimately slaughter the demons and made a garland of their heads and wore it around her neck. Out of range and anger maa kali lost her control and slayed everyone who came her way. To stop this chaos situation lord shiva lay in her way and in this way she stepped on Shiva and she shocked and realized what she was doing and out of astonishment and guilt he stuck out her tongue and put an end to her killing spree.

Devotees worship maa Kali's popular image of stepping on Shiva and hanging out her tongue. The worshipping of Kali is also a celebration of victory of good over evil. With lights and crackers devotees celebrate Kali Puja on festive occasion on Diwali. People pray generally for happiness, health, prosperity and specially seek protection against drought, natural calamities and war.