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Michigan: Washington Bangla Radio: Bidisha Bagchi

New York Kali Temple: Photo Courtesy: Dulal Pal, NY

According to Ramkrishna Paramhansa Deb, darkness is the Ultimate Mother, or Kali:

My Mother is the principle of consciousness. She is Akhanda Satchidananda; indivisible Reality, Awareness, and Bliss. The night sky between the stars is perfectly black. The waters of the ocean depths are the same; The infinite is always mysteriously dark. This inebriating darkness is my beloved Kali.

Kali is associated with eternal energy, she is the one who destroys only to re build the universe. It is once again time for Kali Puja, the festival of lights and the destruction of the evil. Kali Puja is often termed as Shyama Puja and when the rest of India worships Ganesh and Lakshmi on the the amavas night, we, the Bengalis worship goddess Kali. Unlike Durga Puja, Kali Puja is held just for one day but the puja is performed only at night. If one can stay awake and watch the rituals, it’s something amazing. This feature will highlight some well known Kali Pujas from around the World and the page will be updated as and when the photos come in.

Puja

Hom

(offerings)

(Bhog & Dinner)

Swami Paritushtananda, Assistant Minister of the Vedanta Society of New York, performed Kali Puja with Hom. The puja was held with an introduction, worship, devotional songs, Hom fire ceremony, flower offerings and potluck dinner.

(Photo & text courtesy: Vedanta, Portland & Doug Olmstead)