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Kali Puja Hindu religious festival, particularly
of the Shakta community. Kali is the first of the ten female energies
of shiva
(the third god of the Hindu Triad). Much information about her is given
in different puranas.
Kali has many aspects, known variously as Daksin, Siddha,
Guhya, Bhadra, Shmashan, Raksa and Mahakali.
As Daksinakalika, Kali appears in her most fearsome aspect and is the
most widely worshipped. In this aspect, she is shown as dark, four-armed
and wearing a string of human heads with blood still dripping from them.
She is three-eyed, with one eye in the centre of her forehead. She stands
on the chest of Shiva and is encircled by his worshippers.
According to legend, Kali was born from the body of Bhagavati.
The gods had been defeated by the demons. In answer to their prayers,
the goddess Kausiki appeared from the body of Bhagavati. Kausiki
assumed a dark appearance and was named Kali (dark) or
Kalika. She then slaughtered the two demons Shumbha
and Nishumbha. Kali is known as Chamunda,
because she also killed two of the followers of demons, Chanda
and Munda.
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Kali at Kali Mundir, Ramna,
Dhaka |
Kali is a non-Aryan goddess. While most deities are worshipped
during the day, Kali puja takes place at night. It is believed that this
night worship originated in the secret rites of aboriginals. With the
passage of time, Kali joined the Aryan pantheon
Shaktas worship Kali as the original power. It
is said that Krishnananda Agamvagish (c 15th-16th centuries) introduced
the worship of Daksinkalika in Bengal. During the time of Raja krishnachandra
roy of nadia
(1710-1783), the worship of Kali was well established in Bengal. In writing,
Kali worship is first mentioned in Shyamasaparyabidhi, written
by Kashinath in 1777.
Kali is worshipped daily, but there are special pujas
during Dipamvita (the new moon of Kartik), Maghi Krsnachaturdashi
(the fourteenth day of the moon during Magh), Krsnachaturdashi
(the dark fortnight) in Jyaistha etc. The goddess as worshipped in
Magh and Jyaistha is named Ratanti and Phalaharini respectively.
Kali puja is also held when asking for a special boon. In rural areas,
many people arrange Kali puja jointly during epidemics. Dipamvita Kali
puja, known as Diwali in North India, is a joyous celebration of lights.
Usually he-goats, sheep or buffaloes are sacrificed during
Kali puja. According to Vishvasaratantra, Guhya Kali enjoys
eating iguana meat. According to popular belief dacoits sacrifice human
beings during Kali puja. Brahmayamalatantra refers to 'Kalika Bangadesh',
suggesting that in Bengal, the goddess is worshipped as Kalika or Kali.
The Kali of Kalighat, Kolkata, is famous. There are also a number of Kali
temples in dhaka
and other parts of Bangladesh. [Suresh Chandra Banerjee] |
