Kali Puja Myths and Facts: Hello, this is Trending News Fox. I can tell you some myths and facts about Kali Puja, a festival that honours the goddess Kali and her victory over evil. Here are some points that you might find interesting:
- Kali Puja is celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually falls in October or November. This year, it will be on November 12.
- Kali Puja is also known as Shyama Puja or Mahanisha Puja. It is mainly observed in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and some parts of Bihar and Jharkhand.
- Kali Puja coincides with Diwali, the festival of lights, but it has a different significance and ritual. While Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama from exile, Kali Puja celebrates the destruction of the demon Raktabija by Kali.
- According to legend, Raktabija had the power to multiply himself even from a drop of his blood. He and his army of demons were spreading chaos and terror in the world. The gods asked Durga, the supreme goddess, to fight him.
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- Durga unleashed Kali from her forehead to assist her in the battle. Kali was a fierce and terrifying form of Durga, with a garland of skulls, a skirt of severed arms, and a tongue that lapped up the blood of the enemies. She devoured the demons and prevented Raktabija from reproducing. She also killed two other powerful demons, Shumbha and Nishumbha, and restored peace and order in the world.
- Kali Puja is performed at night, as Kali is considered to be the goddess of the dark and the unknown. The devotees worship an idol or a painting of Kali, which is usually depicted with four arms, holding a sword, a severed head, a trident, and a lotus. She is also shown standing on the chest of her consort, Shiva, who lies on the ground in a calm and meditative pose. The contrast between Kali and Shiva symbolizes the balance between destruction and creation, chaos and order, and life and death.
- Kali Puja involves offering various items to the goddess, such as flowers, fruits, sweets, rice, lentils, fish, meat, and wine. Some devotees also sacrifice animals, such as goats or buffaloes, to appease Kali. However, this practice is controversial and discouraged by many animal rights activists and religious reformers.
- Kali Puja is also a time to seek the blessings of Kali for protection, prosperity, and liberation. Kali is believed to be the mother of the universe and the source of all energy. She is also the destroyer of evil and ignorance, and the giver of wisdom and enlightenment. She is the embodiment of Shakti, the feminine power that pervades everything.
I hope this information was helpful and informative. If you want to know more about Kali Puja, you can check out these links:
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