In India, every day, a large number of Hindus visit their nearest Kali Mata Mandir. They worship the goddess Kali and pray for their well-being, prosperity, and happiness. She is regarded as a powerful goddess in Hindu mythology. She represents courage, time, change, destruction, devotion, and the victory of good over evil. There are many famous Kali Mata Mandir across the country. Let’s learn more about her, why she is worshipped, her significance in the Hindu religion, and more.
Kali Mata Story
Kali Mother is a fine example of the destructive and creative nature of the divine feminine energy. It is believed that she emerged from the wrath of the Goddess Durga (another form of Parvati) while fighting the demon Raktabija. It is said that she consumed his blood and prevented him from multiplying further.
She has a dark complexion, a lolling tongue, a garland of skulls, and several arms with weapons such as a sword and a severed head. All these display her ability to destroy evil, overcome barriers, and maintain peace.
The appearance of Kali Mata has special meaning. Her black complexion exhibits the fact that she is a mystery to many. Furthermore, the garland of skulls represents the cycle of life and death and denotes that even the most powerful creature eventually dies with time.
The lolling tongue is interpreted as a warning against evil. It also displays her fierce power and energy. Despite her fearful appearance, Kali Mata is regarded as a protective mother. She can give liberation (Moksha - freedom from the cycle of birth and death) to all devotees who approach her with surrender and devotion.
She has a dark complexion, a lolling tongue, a garland of skulls, and several arms with weapons such as a sword and a severed head. All these display her ability to destroy evil, overcome barriers, and maintain peace.
The appearance of Kali Mata has special meaning. Her black complexion exhibits the fact that she is a mystery to many. Furthermore, the garland of skulls represents the cycle of life and death and denotes that even the most powerful creature eventually dies with time.
The lolling tongue is interpreted as a warning against evil. It also displays her fierce power and energy. Despite her fearful appearance, Kali Mata is regarded as a protective mother. She can give liberation (Moksha - freedom from the cycle of birth and death) to all devotees who approach her with surrender and devotion.
12 Forms of Kali Mata-
- Kalika
- Saptarna
- Prajna
- Dhyana
- Virya
- Jiva
- Ishana
- Ramani
- Dhana
- Indivara
- Raksha Kali
- Dambara.
Importance of Kali Mata: Why Do People Worship Her?
A large number of people in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand, Tripura, South India, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and parts of Maharashtra worship Kali Mata almost every day. There are many reasons for this. Some important ones are-
- She can help you eliminate your fears and be courageous,
- She is a symbol of courage and destruction. So, she helps her devotees to achieve their goals,
- Worshipping Kali Mata every day can help you keep negativity/evil away. She will protect you in all difficult situations,
- Worshipping her can help humans liberate themselves from the cycle of birth and death and
- Kali Mata makes her devotees stronger, enabling them to fight tough situations & be victorious.
Goddess Kali Mantra
While worshipping Kali Mata, devotees recite many mantras. Some important mantras are-
- Om Krim Kali
- Om Krim Kalikayai Namaha
- Om Mahakalyai Namah
Ten Most Popular Kali Mata Mandirs in India
In India, there are numerous Kali Mata temples across the nation. Many devotees go there regularly, worship Kali Mata, and pray for the well-being of all their loved ones. Here is a list of the top 10 popular Kali Mata Mandirs across India
- Kalighat Temple, Kolkata
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata
- Kamakhya Temple, Assam
- Kalikambal Temple, Chennai
- Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh, Gujarat
- Tarapith Temple, Birbhum, West Bengal
- Baitala Deula, Bhubaneswar
- Kali Mandir, Patna
- Jai Maa Gadhkalika Mata Mandir, Ujjain
- Kalibari temple, Shimla
How To Worship Kali Maa At Home?
In our country, a large number of people ( approximately 34% of the entire population) live in urban areas. They lead a very busy life and don't have time to visit the nearest Kali Mata Mandir and worship the goddess Kali. So they worship her at home. You can also do this by following the below-mentioned recommendations-
- Prepare a neat and clean area in your house for Kali Maa Pooja,
- Place a Kali Mata Murti or picture on a red cloth pedestal,
- Put red or black colored garlands on the murti or picture,
- Chant her mantras like "Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Viche" while performing a Kali puja.
- Light some incense sticks & put a bowl of water in front of Kali Mata Painting or Murti
Depending on your convenience, you can worship the Goddess Kali at any time. However, New Moon Day is considered the perfect time for it. After completing your worship, distribute Prasad (sweet food) among devotees. Ask everyone to take the blessings of Kali Mata Aarti. Regular Kali pooja at home or in temples will give you mental peace, repel negativity, and help you gain success in your life.
Do People Worship Kali Mata Outside India Also?
Yes, because Hindus live in different countries and worship Kali Mata. Outside India, Kali maa pooja primarily occurs in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.
Where Can I Buy Kali Mata Paintings Or Murtis?
You can buy them online and get your delivery at the specified address. Cottage9 is one of the best platforms to shop for any number of folk art paintings, brass idols, Hindu statues, murti, glass art, and wood art in a few clicks. Just see the product catalog, add them to the shopping basket, and check out. We will process your request quickly and ensure you get your order on time.
Conclusion
Kali Mata is a source of inspiration, courage, destruction, death, etc., for a large number of Hindus living in India and abroad. She has a wonderful legacy as she fought deadly demons and stopped them from multiplying further. Regularly worshipping Kali Mata in temples or homes will help fight evil forces or negativity, maintain positivity, achieve life goals, and ensure the well-being of all devotees.
