While Diwali is renowned across India for its dazzling and colourful festivities, the northeastern states infuse this celebration with a multifaceted richness, offering a unique blend of traditions. In this region, Diwali isn't confined to a singular narrative; instead, it unfolds in diverse ways, with the worship of Goddess Kali and Lakshmi taking centre stage.
Kali Puja, a Hindu festival observed on the New Moon Day (Dipannita Amavasya) in the month of Kartik, aligns with the Lakshmi Puja day of Diwali. While the entire nation revels in Diwali festivities, the residents of West Bengal and many northeastern states uniquely dedicate their celebrations to Kali Puja.
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Goddess Kali, one of the Dasa Mahavidya representing ten incarnations of the Mother Goddess, derives her name from the Sanskrit word 'Kal,' signifying 'time.'
Goddess Kali, also known as Mahakali, Bhadrakali, and Kalika, is believed to be the most superior one among the Dasa Mahavidya. The earliest appearance of Kali is from Shiva, who is considered the Shakti of Shiva.
Mahakali is the Mother Goddess of war, anger, time, change, creation, destruction, and power. The Goddess destroys the evil to save the innocents. She is the divine protector who bestows moksha (liberation). The other forms of Kali are – Dakshina Kali, Samhara Kali, Bhima Kali, Raksha Kali, Bhadra Kali, and Guhya Kali.
According to different traditions, Kali is believed to have 8, 12, and 21 different forms. The popular among them are – Adya Kali, Chintamani Kali, Sparshamani Kali, Santati Kali, Siddhi Kali, Dakshina Kali, Bhadra Kali, Smashana Kali, Adharvana Bhadra Kali, Kamakala Kali, Guhya Kali, Hamsa Kali, Shyama Kali, and Kalasankarshini Kali.
Maa Kali is worshipped in two different forms – the furious form of Kali is black in colour (Shamshan Kali), which is generally revered by the tantric, and the mild form of Kali is blue in colour (Shyama Kali), and is worshipped by common people. Both the colours black and blue are the colours of the sky, depicting her limitless power.
The story behind Kali Puja can be traced back to old myths and beliefs. As per a legend, Rakshasa (demons) Shumbh and Nishumbh once attacked heaven and created a rumpus there. The Gods and the demons got involved in a battle, in which the Gods were badly defeated. They then went to Devi Uma, who took the form of Mahakali and defeated the evil. But after the victory, she lost control. Becoming furious, she started destruction.
The other deities begged her husband, Lord Shiva, to end the destruction. And all it took for Shiva to stop her was to lie down in the path of the goddess. As soon as oblivious and mad with rage Kali stepped on him, she was mortified by the act. That’s when she bites her tongue as a mark of embarrassment, and that is how sculptors have been carving her over the ages. According to this legend, all her anger vanished the moment she stepped on her husband as her entire rage was absorbed by Shiva himself, who saved the world.
Kali Puja is celebrated to seek the blessings of the Goddess for general happiness, health, wealth, and peace. The rituals mostly take place at night when devotees perform their puja with red hibiscus flower offerings, goddess Kali’s favourite flower.
Kali Puja is celebrated mostly in West Bengal, the Mithila region of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh, and Titwala in Maharashtra.
The puja coincides with the Lakshmi Puja day of Diwali. In India, you will see the Bengalis, Odias, Assamese, and Maithilis worship goddess Kali on this day, and the rest of India and Nepal worship goddess Lakshmi.
The festival of lights, Diwali, is one of the most celebrated and cherished festivals in India. While the exchange of sweets, lighting of lamps, and bursting of firecrackers are all integral parts of the festivities, at the heart of it lies the spiritual essence of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and seeking her blessings.
It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits every home during Diwali to bless them with prosperity and wealth. As such, Diwali becomes the most auspicious day for invoking her divine presence.
The process involves cleaning and decorating the house, placing a kalash with water, grains, and other items, installing deities like Goddess Lakshmi or Lord Ganesha, reciting mantras, worshipping Lord Kubera, and performing the aarti. These traditions symbolize the importance of wealth, knowledge, courage, and the removal of obstacles in life.
One of the most popular beliefs among the rest of India is that Diwali is celebrated on the return of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita who returned to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. To welcome them, the people of Ayodhya lit earthen lamps and that is how lighting earthen lamps became an integral part of Diwali.
Diwali is mostly associated with Diya and lighting, home decoration, shopping, fireworks, puja (prayers), gifts, feasts, and sweets, families gather together. In between all of the festive affairs, we often forget how these traditions came to place.
(All views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own)
