Kali Puja is observed to seek the blessings of
Maa Kali. Goddess Kali Pooja is performed on the night of Kartik
Amavasya.
Kali Puja
Kali Puja is a passionate prayer to the fearsome, ferocious goddess.
The aim of Kali Puja is to seek the help of Maa Kali in destroying evil,
both in the outside world and within us. It is believed that Kali Puja
is performed to diminish ego and all negative tendencies that hamper
spiritual growth. Kali Pooja is also observed on the night of Kartik
Amavasya, which falls in October / November. Read more to know about the
origin and legend of Maha Kali Puja.
Kali Puja - In Bengal
Kali Puja is always associated with the state of Bengal. Durga Puja,
the National festival of the Bengalis ends on a sad note. However, this
melancholy gradually disappears with the arrival of Lakshmi Puja
(Diwali) in North India and Diwali Kali Puja in Bengal. The occasion of
Kali Puja brings the aura of festive zeal amongst the various cross
sections of society.
Goddess Kali is one of the fiercest forms of the Shakti, the eternal
energy and the cosmic power. Kali has the strength to destroy the whole
existence. Kali symbolizes the basic powers to fight the evil and the
strengths essential to fight the rivals. According to Hinduism, we are
living in the Kali Yuga (age) or the Dark Age; the time of revival of
the divine female spirit. Kali Puja explores and illuminates the rich
meaning of feminine divinity.
Legend of Kali Puja
As per the legend behind the celebration of Kali Puja, long ago the two
demons, Shambhu and Nishambhu, bothered the world of Indra, the king of
gods. The gods lost all their hopes with numerous and endless battles.
The demons became stronger. The gods took shelter in the Himalayas, the
abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The disturbed gods asked for protection
from Maa Durga.
Kali took birth from Durga's forehead as Kal Bhoi Nashini. Kali was
created to save the heaven and the earth from the rising brutality of
the demons. She went on her way to end the war and kill the demons,
along with her two escorts Dakini and Jogini. The whole environment was
full of chaos. After killing the demons, Kali made a garland of their
hands and wore it around her neck. In the massacre, she lost control and
started killing everyone who came in her way.
The troubled gods asked Shiva for his help. And Shiva made a plan to
save the world. Lord Shiva lay down in the path of the rampaging Kali.
When the goddess stepped on Shiva, she recovered her senses. The popular
image of Maha Kali with her tongue hanging out, in fact portrays the
moment when she steps on lord Shiva and repents for it.
Since then people are celebrating this momentous day. Kali, also known
as Shyama Kali, is the first of the ten incarnations (avatars) of
Shakti. Tantrik Puja is also observed at the midnight on this Amavasya
(New Moon Night). Kali Puja is performed basically to seek protection
against all evils and for happiness, health, wealth and peace.