Kali Puja 2021: Significance, timings and foods offered as Prasad

Kali Puja is one of the most significant festivals of Bengal and is celebrated with great pomp and show. On this day Kali Maa is worshipped and offered a number of bhog items. Maa Kali's favourite flower is said to be red hibiscus, which is why she is draped in a stunning red hibiscus garland on the day of Puja.

Kali comes from the Sanskrit word 'Kal' which means "dark, time, and death." The universe is represented by Kali, which means that the good and the terrible, the positive and the negative, all coexist. Goddess Kali's idol represents the same thing. Goddess Kali is Maa Durga's invincible incarnation, depicting a woman in her rudra avtar with four hands, dark skin, and a mund mala of beheaded demons. She wears Kharga, a sword, and her long flowing hair symbolises a woman's incessant power.

Also See: Kali Puja Recipes

Goddess Kali's right hands portray the Abhaya Mudra, which is said to preserve the universe, while the left hand is Varada Mudra, which represents her motherly affection towards her devotees. As Kali is also the goddess of Preservation, she is worshiped as the preserver of nature.

Goddess Kali's fierce tandav, according to Hindu legend, proclaimed her victory over demons, causing the earth to tremble. When Lord Shiva observed her approaching the point of destroying the earth, he laid down in front of her to stop the tandav and calm her down, which is why her tongue protruded when she stepped on his chest by accident.

Kali Puja falls on Thursday, November 4, 2021

Kali Puja Nishita Time - 11:38 PM to 12:30 AM on Nov 05, 2021

Amavasya Tithi Begins - 06:03 AM on Nov 04, 2021

Amavasya Tithi Ends - 02:44 AM on Nov 05, 2021

Some classic bhog items that are offered to Kali Maa are Khichuri bhog, Niramish Mangsho ( mutton without onion and garlic), Fish Curry, Payesh, Basanti Pulao, Bhapa Doi and Bhaja (fritters). Kali Maa is probably the only Indian Goddess to whom a mix of veg and non-veg food items are offered. A special dish called ‘Choddo Shaak’ which is made using fourteen different types of green vegetables is also a special item prepared for Kali Puja.

A unique tradition is followed in a Kali Temple in Tangra, Kolkata, where Chinese dishes like Fried Rice, Noodles and Chop suey are offered as prasad.

The dual nature of Kali – one is the tantric Kali, who is linked with ferocity and violence, and the more sanitised, Brahminized mother goddess, who supposedly regrets stomping on her husband Shiva, inspired two types of ritual offerings. On the one side, there are fruits and sweets, and on the other, there is sacrificial meat. (image credits- istock)

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