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Kali Puja

Durga Maa

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Kali Puja

Why it is celebrated

On Kartik Amavasya, the night of Diwali, Maa Kali is worshipped in Bengal, Odisha, Assam and many parts of Bihar. Maa Kali is seen as the power that removes darkness, fear and evil. The puja is done at midnight with lamps, red hibiscus flowers and devotional songs.

The story

The Devi Mahatmya tells of an asura named Raktabij. He had a boon that every drop of his blood that fell on the earth would turn into a new Raktabij. However much the Devi held him back in battle, just as many new asuras would rise up.

Then Maa Durga called on Maa Kali, who had come forth from her forehead in her anger. Maa Kali did not let a single drop fall to the earth, and so Raktabij's evil was ended for good.

Bengal's folk tradition carries the story further. Even after the victory, Maa Kali's fury did not calm down, and she danced so wildly that the earth began to shake. Then Shiv ji quietly lay down in her path. As soon as her foot touched Shiv ji, she stopped short and her tongue came out. In that moment her anger was calmed.

Maa Kali's form looks fierce, yet devotees lovingly call her 'Maa'. Saints like Ramakrishna Paramhansa called out to her as their own mother. For them, Kali is the mother who takes away her children's fear.

Puja vidhi

  1. Clean the house during the day and light lamps all around the home in the evening.
  2. Spread a red cloth at the puja place and set up an idol or picture of Maa Kali.
  3. Do the puja around midnight: offer a garland of red hibiscus (jaba) flowers, sindoor, incense and a lamp.
  4. Chant Maa Kali's name, read the Kali Chalisa and sing bhajans.
  5. Offer khichuri, labra, kheer and sweets as bhog.
  6. Do the aarti and share prasad; many families stay awake through the night remembering Maa.

Food

Bhog of khichuri, labra (mixed vegetables), payesh (kheer), luchi and sweets.

Wishes to send

  • Warm wishes on Kali Puja! May Maa Kali drive away every fear and every darkness in your life.

  • Jai Maa Kali! On this new-moon night, may your home glow with lamps and devotion.

  • Pranam to Shyama Maa, the mother who takes away her children's fear. Happy Kali Puja!

  • May Maa Kali give you the courage to stand up to wrong and the strength to hold on to truth.

  • The light of lamps, red jaba flowers and Maa's name: best wishes for Kali Puja and Deepavali.

  • Maa's form may be fierce, but her heart is always tender for her children. Jai Maa Shyama!

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