Which god worship on the occasion of Kali Puja?
Goddess Kali worship on the occasion of Kali Puja.
What are the other names for this puja? (If any)
Mahanisha Puja and Shyama Puja are the other names for this puja. It is also known as Dipanwita Kali Puja.
History of the above occasion
This puja is not very old. Before 18th Century, this puja was known to hardly anyone. But at the end of the 17th Century, Balram mentioned “Mangalkavya” a festival devoted towards Kaali. This puja was started by Navadvipa’s Raja Krishnachandra in the West Bengal at the time of 18th Century. Then with the passage of time, this puja became very popular during 19th century, it was organized and done on a large scale by Ishvarchandra, the grandson of Raja Krishnachandra, Bengalis and some rich landowners. With Durga Puja, Kali Puja is also celebrated at a grand level in the West Bengal.
What is the significance of the above occasion?
This occasion has a great importance as Kali is one of the form of other Goddesses like Maa Durga, Maa Saraswati, Maa Laxmi, Parwati and all these goddess are worship by their devotees so that they can get good blessings from them which may remove all the hurdles they are having in their life and they can live their life happily.
What are the things or material required for the worship of this puja?
Sindur, Aashonanguriuk , Borondala, 6 thread, Til, myrobalan, pot full of rice, a piece of cloth, 1Kundohari, Frame work in triangular shape made up of 3 pieces of wood, Rice powder, Kusum flower or red aabir, 6 Mirror, Turmeric powder, coconut fiber, bel pata, Pancharatna includes Emerald, Silver, Jewel, Pearls, Gold, Panchagobbo includes Milk, Cow Dung, Cow's urine, Pure Ghee, Curd, Panchasashya includes Mashkalai, Moong, Paddy, Sesame, Barley, Panchapallab include leaves of Mango, Jackfruit, Ashthya, Bakul, Banyan, 4 arrows, a wooden plate, 1 Green coconut, Madhuparka , Ghee, Curd, Sugar, Honey, Tulsi , Bilwapatramalya 3 in no., sari for Shyamapuja , Durba and Flowers, dhoties for Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahakal, 2 Shankha , iron, 1 nose ring,
1 Sindur chubri -a cane basket containing a small mirror, two coral and conch shell bangles, comb, one iron bangle, vermillion, alta and some kories. Bhoger drobbadi, goat for offering to goddess, Chandmala ,fire for yagya includes Bilyapatra 108 or 28 in no., camphor, ghee, wooden plate, Coconut, wood, sand, twig, Ghee, Pan masala , flower garland, Dakhina.
What is the vidhi (method) of worship?
First of all people keep the idols of Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva made up of clay either in their homes or in Pandals and worship for the whole night by reciting some mantras and rites of tantric. People offered fish, meat, lentils, rice, sweets, hibiscus flowers red in colour to Kali. Animals are sacrificed and present to the Kali. With Kali and Shiva, Bamakhepa and Ramakrishna- popular Bengali devotees, scenes from Kali’s legends, her different forms with Mahavidyas are also kept in the pandals.
How to celebrate this occasion?
This puja or occasion is celebrated at a grand level by large no. of people by worshiping Goddess Kali either in their homes or in Pandals which they decorate with beautiful items.
People celebrate this puja by visiting temples of Goddess Kali and offered them sacrifices of animals and reciting some mantras of Mata Kali.
With the worship, they organized dramas, workshops, fireworks, magic shows, theatres and other things or activities by which they can enjoy this occasion very much and as per the latest custom, now some people started drinking on this occasion, they also enjoy wine and other drinks with other people in a group.
In Kolkata, there is a very popular temple devoted towards Mata Kali having a very famous devotee of Kali, RamaKrishna who is working as a priest in this temple have made some changes in the celebration of this puja since he started working. As he is a great devotee so he organized puja in the temple at a grand level and people really enjoy his celebrations.
What are the timings to celebrate this puja or occasion in a year?
The timings to celebrate this puja or occasion in a year is decided as per the Lunar calendar. It is done on the new moon day of the Kartik, the Hindu month. With this, there are two other major pujas of Kali done in India, Ratankali Puja is done on the new moon day of Margashirsha, the Hindu month and Phalaharini Puja is celebrated on the new moon day of Jyeshta, another Hindu month.
In which parts of the country, this puja is considered as more important?
In West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Odisha, this puja is considered as more important, as compared to other states.
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