Kali Puja

The Durga Puja is the most popular festival among the Bengali Hindus. The ten-day celebration starts on Ashwin Shukla Paksha with Mahalaya, a day when all the pandals are closed and puja ceremonies begin at home. However, there is another lesser known Hindu festival that precedes it Kali puja. It is believed that not just the goddess of destruction but also her fearsome avatar Kali emerged from the blue waters of vernacular Vidyamandir pond in old Calcutta (now Kolkata) that year. As if this wasn’t enough to make people tremble in their boots, she made her appearance on Mahashivratri – a night when evil spirits are supposed to roam freely!



Why is Kali Puja so important?

Kali puja, also known as Kumari Puja, is an elaborate festival that celebrates the arrival of the goddess Kali on the banks of the Ganges. While Durga Puja signifies the victory of good over evil, Kali Puja signifies the victory of order over chaos. It is believed that the goddess Kali descended from her abode at the end of the Satya Yuga (the first age in Hindu cyclic theory) and manifested herself on the banks of the river Ganges in Kashi (the present day Banaras). Kali Puja is observed on the new moon day in the month of Kartik (October-November) when the autumn harvest festival is celebrated. The harvest festival marks the end of the harvesting season (and the beginning of cold weather) and is observed over two consecutive days. The first day is dedicated to the goddess Kali, who is believed to be the mother of the universe. The second day is dedicated to Maa Durga, the goddess of victory. Kali Puja is also observed on the day when the moon is in the Rohini nakshatra (lunar mansion). The celebration is observed by women and they are supposed to stay awake all night. The ritual after the puja is followed by the reading of the story of Kali slaying the demon Mahishasur.


How is Kali Puja celebrated?

Kali Puja is celebrated by households as well as pandals (temporary shrines). The pandals are decorated elaborately and have a miniature replica of the famous shaligrams (sacred stones) of the Ganges and idols of the goddesses Durga, Kali, and Lakshmi. There is a life-sized idol of the goddess Kali and a decorated throne for the goddess to sit on. The idols are colourfully decorated and the pandal is brightly lit up. The pandals are built and dismantled every year. On the day of the puja, people visit the pandals and offer food (bhoga), sweets, and money as offerings to the goddess. Large pandals organise musical and dance programmes. The puja ends with a feast.


The story behind the festival

Kali Puja is one of the most important and popular festivals of Bengal. It is celebrated on the day of the new moon in the month of Kartik (October-November). The festival is primarily associated with the worship of the goddess Kali, who is the fiercest manifestation of the universal mother goddess Shakti (the creative energy). On this day, the images of the goddess are worshipped in the form of a black stone, symbolising her terrifying aspect as the goddess of death and destruction. It is believed that on this day the goddess emerged from the depths of the Ganges. Kali Puja is observed with great reverence and enthusiasm in West Bengal and parts of Bihar. On this day, people observe a fast, worship the goddess and perform various rituals. In many parts of West Bengal, it is customary to eat a simple meal of dal and vegetables on this day.


The rituals and significance of Kali Puja

Kalipuja is the celebration of the arrival of the goddess Shakti in the form of Kali. It invites the end of the harvesting season and the advent of autumn. The festival is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Kartik (October-November). The first day is dedicated to the goddess Kali (a black stone symbolising her terrible aspect as the goddess of death and destruction) and the second day is dedicated to Maa Durga (the goddess of victory). It is believed that on this day the goddess emerged from the depths of the Ganges. She is worshipped as the personification of shakti or creative energy. The images of the goddess are decorated with flowers and coloured lights. The image of the goddess is made of a black stone and is placed on a throne. As part of the ritual, the worshippers are supposed to fast and abstain from any kind of work. On the day of the festival, they offer food to the goddess and distribute the same to their neighbours.


Conclusion

The Kali Puja is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Kartik (October-November). The first day is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Kali, who is the fiercest manifestation of the universal mother goddess Shakti. The second day is dedicated to Maa Durga, the goddess of victory. The goddess Kali emerged from the depths of the Ganges. It is believed that the goddess created by the universe. People observe a fast, worship the goddess and perform various rituals. They are supposed to fast and abstain from any kind of work. They offer food to the goddess and distribute the same to their neighbours. It is the celebration of the arrival of the goddess Shakti in the form of Kali.