Kali Puja also known as Shyama Puja is celebrated just before the day of Diwali. This day is dedicated to Goddess Kali, another incarnation of Devi Durga. It is celebrated on the Dipannita Amavasya Tithi of Kartik month.
Goddess Kali is the goddess of Life and death, she has four arms and in one arm she holds a sword and, in another hand, she holds the head of a demon. She is a symbol of women who are characterized as a mixture of kindness and violence.
Goddess Kali is worshiped to remove the darkness from the earth. She is also called Bhoy Nashini. She removes the insecurity and ego and all the negativity from a person. She protects everyone from evil powers. In some places, she is also worshiped as a tribal Goddess.
People decorate their houses with lights on Shyama Puja. And also burn firecrackers. Shyama Puja is famous and a grand celebration in Cuttack, Bhadrak, Jeypore, and Puri.
History of Kali Puja
It is said that Goddess Kali was born from the eyebrows of Devi Durga. It is also said that she was born from the forehead of Devi Durga. She is also known as Kal Bhoy Nashini. She was born to protect the earth from evil powers.
It is said that once there were two demons named Sambhu and Nishumbha who roamed in heaven. And they became so powerful. Therefore, all gods had to leave heaven and they came to pray to Lord Shiva.
And then from Devi Durga’s forehead Goddess Kali was born. And she killed those demons. But she was so powerful and angry, that she started to destroy everything. To calm down her, Lord Shiva interfered and slept in her path.
Goddess Kali unknowingly stepped on Shiva’s chest. And for this, she was ashamed of her and her tongue was protruding from her mouth.
She is also known as Shyma Kali or Kalika, who is the first in 10 incarnation of Devi Durga or the Dasa Mahavidya.
Why Kali Puja is Celebrated
People worship Goddess Kali to seek blessings from her on wealth and well-being in their lives. Goddess Kali is worshiped to celebrate her win against evil power. Shyama Puja is celebrated to omit ego, and negativity from the world. It is believed that worshipping her will remove all the negativity from a person.
Who started Kali Puja
In the 16th century, Puja was started first time by a famous sage Krishnananda Agamavagisha. In Bengal, during the time of Raja Krishna Chandra in the 18th Century, Kali Puja became famous. From the 19th century, Kali puja became a grand celebration in everywhere India when Shree Ramakrishna started worshiping her.
Highlights of Kali Puja
- Goddess Kali is a form of Devi Durga. She came with her two escorts Dakini Jogini and killed demons.
- Kali Puja can be performed in two ways: Brahmic and Tantric. In Barhmic style, Devi Kali is worshiped as “Adya Shakti Kali”. In the Tantric style, animal sacrifice is a major ritual.
- Bhadrak’s Charampa Bazaar Mela is a highlight of this festival in Odisha. Along with this, Cuttack’s Kali Puja is another major attraction. There people worship Bhadrakali and Chinnamasta which are another form of Maa Kali.
- Jayepore, a Shakti peetha of Odisha where Shyama Puja is also another highlight of this festival. Jayepore is famous for Shyama Puja because of the majestic decorations of puja Pandals.
- Worshiping Goddess Kali with red flowers is a major ritual of this puja.
Kali Puja 2023
In 2023, Kali Puja will be held on 12th November, Sunday. Amavasya Tithi will be started on November 12 at 11:45 PM and will end on November 13, at 12:37 AM
Kali Puja 2022
In 2022, Kali puja was held on 24th October.
Next Kali Puja
Next Kali Puja will be held on 31st October. Amavasya Tithi will begin at 15:52 on 31st October 2024 and will end at 18:16 on 1st November 2024.
How to participate in Kali Puja
- People decorate their whole houses with lights colors and flowers. People lit up candles in their whole house.
- Kali Puja is performed on the night of Amavasya. Red hibiscus flowers are used in her worship.
- People also burn firecrackers on the day of Kali Puja. And also do Pandal hopping.
- Anna Prasad of Khichdi, Labara, and various of sweets are offered to her.
In Odisha, Kali Puja is famous in Puri, Cuttack, Jeypore, and in Bhadrak.
How to Reach Puri
- The nearest international airport to Puri is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.
- Puri Railway station is the major railway station of Odisha which is the nearest railway station to Puri
- The city is connected to different cities by road. Buses are also available to different cities in Puri.
How to reach Cuttack
- Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport to Cuttack, which is 32km away from Cuttack.
- Cuttack railway station is the nearest railway station to Cuttack.
- NH55, NH16, and NH53 pass through the Cuttack and are connected by Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, etc.
How to reach Bhadrak
- Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport to Bhadrak.
- Bhadrak is the nearest railway station to Bhadrak.
- Bhadrak is well connected to different cities by NH16.
How to reach Jeypore
- Biju Patnaik International Bhubaneswar Airport is the nearest airport to the city.
- NH203 is connected by other cities that pass through Jeypore.
- There are no such nearer railway stations available to Jeypore. However, Koraput is the nearest railway station.
FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Kali Puja?
Kali puja is dedicated to maa Kali, to seek blessings of wellness, happiness, and health. The majority of the ceremonies take place at night, when worshippers present offerings of red hibiscus flowers, goddess Kali’s favorite flower, during their puja.
Is Kali Puja and Diwali the same?
The name Diwali or Deepavali signifies a grouping of lamps. In Bengal, the goddess Kali, the one who wields power and vanquishes evil, is worshipped in remembrance of Diwali. The event we refer to as Kali Puja always brings back childhood memories of our family adorning our home with candles and clay lamps.
What is the history of Kali Puja?
Kali puja was come to be known when Shri Ramkrishna started to celebrate Kali in the 19th century, in a grand manner. The largest festival in Tamluk, Barasat, Naihati, Barrackpore, Dhupguri, and Dinhata is Kali Puja, which is followed by Durga Puja.
Why is Kali worshipped at night?
Kali puja occurs at night although most deities are worshiped during the day. This night worship is thought to have its roots in the occult practices of non-Aryans. Kali eventually became a member of the Aryan pantheon. Kali is revered by Shaktas as the original power.
What is the story of Diwali with Kali?
According to a Hindu myth, the demons Rakshasa Shumbh and Nishumbh once attacked heaven and caused havoc there. The Gods engaged in combat with the demons, which resulted in a crushing defeat for the Gods. The evil was then vanquished by Devi Uma, who appeared as Mahakali.