Kali Puja is more than a festival—it’s a powerful invocation of the divine feminine in her fiercest, most protective form. Rooted in the mythology of Bengal, Kali Puja celebrates Maa Kali as the fearless mother who dispels darkness and ignorance. Her image, adorned with a garland of skulls and a fierce gaze, represents the destruction of ego and the renewal of cosmic balance. As devotees light lamps and chant prayers on the amavasya (new moon night), they seek her blessings for courage, wisdom, and liberation from life’s obstacles. Kali Puja is not just about worship; it’s an invitation to experience the transformative power of devotion, surrender, and the ultimate grace of the goddess.
The worship of Devi Kali, one of the most revered goddesses in Hinduism, has a deep-rooted significance in Bengal’s cultural and spiritual landscape. Known for her fierce form, Kali embodies both destruction and protection, vanquishing evil to protect the virtuous. Her intense imagery—wild hair, dark skin, and a garland of skulls—symbolizes a powerful feminine energy that represents time, transformation, and the cycle of life and death. In Bengal, Kali Puja stands as one of the most celebrated festivals, where devotion blends with mythology, and the tales of great Kali sadhaks (devotees) like Bamakhepa, Ramprasad Sen, and Kamalakanta Bhattacharya further enrich Kali’s lore.
Mythology of Devi Kali
In Hindu mythology, Devi Kali emerges from the wrath and power of Durga, called upon during desperate times when demonic forces wreak havoc on the cosmos. One of the most iconic stories surrounding Kali’s origins is her battle against the demon Raktabija, whose ability to replicate from every drop of spilled blood rendered him almost indestructible. As Raktabija’s replicas multiplied, Devi Kali, in her fearsome form, took charge, drinking his blood to prevent him from regenerating, ultimately defeating him and restoring peace.
Kali’s form, dark as the night and fierce in her expressions, is a reminder of the limitless potential of Shakti (divine feminine power). Her image as a loving yet fierce mother showcases the dual aspects of her divinity—she destroys to protect, consumes to purify, and thus embodies the transformative nature of life. While her appearance may be terrifying, her essence is one of compassion, representing the dissolution of ego and the transcendence of worldly attachments.
The Celebration of Kali Puja in Bengal
In Bengal, Kali Puja is celebrated with great devotion, typically coinciding with the festival of Diwali in other parts of India. While the rest of the country worships Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, Bengalis turn to Kali, the goddess of time and change, for blessings, guidance, and protection. Kali Puja is often celebrated at night, symbolizing the goddess’s control over darkness and negativity. In homes and temples across Bengal, her idols are adorned with flowers, red hibiscus being her favorite, and offerings of fish, rice, sweets, and animal sacrifices in some traditional rituals.
The ritualistic and devotional aspects of Kali Puja in Bengal highlight a sense of fearlessness and reverence, with devotees seeking liberation from ignorance and enlightenment through Kali’s grace. The festival represents a time for self-reflection, where devotees are encouraged to conquer their inner demons, much like how Kali vanquishes external forces of evil. The night of Kali Puja is seen as spiritually powerful, with the goddess’s presence symbolizing the end of darkness.
Banglar Kali Sadhak: Devotees of the Fierce Mother
The connection between Bengal and Kali is amplified by the devotion of legendary sadhaks (worshipers) who, through intense spiritual practices and compositions, have celebrated Kali as the divine mother. Among these sadhaks, Ramprasad Sen, an 18th-century poet, holds a special place. Known for his soulful poetry (Ramprasadi), Ramprasad expressed a deeply personal relationship with Kali, blending love, reverence, and humor in his devotion. His songs, still sung in Bengal, resonate with the complex emotions of a devotee towards his divine mother, filled with longing and surrender.
Another notable sadhak, Bamakhepa, known as the “mad saint of Tarapith,” dedicated his life to Kali through intense sadhana and a unique blend of spirituality that often defied convention. Bamakhepa’s mystical experiences and visions of Kali were legendary, drawing followers who saw in him a vessel of divine grace. His ecstatic connection to Kali remains an inspiration for many devotees, illustrating the powerful, transformative connection between the goddess and her worshippers.
Kamalakanta Bhattacharya, a poet and mystic, was also a dedicated devotee of Kali. His poetic verses are filled with a raw emotion that speaks to the profound depths of his devotion. Like Ramprasad, Kamalakanta would address Kali as his beloved mother, questioning her, pleading with her, and even challenging her, all with an underlying tone of surrender and adoration.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s Disciples and the Kali Legacy
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the 19th-century mystic and spiritual luminary of Bengal, is one of the most renowned devotees of Maa Kali, the goddess of transformation and liberation. His life is a testament to pure, ecstatic devotion, as he revered Kali not merely as an idol but as a living, divine presence in his life. Through daily worship and heartfelt surrender at the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Ramakrishna connected deeply with Kali, experiencing her as the compassionate and fierce mother who governs all aspects of life and creation. Ramakrishna’s relationship with Kali was intimate and personal. He often communicated with her as a child would with his mother, embodying a childlike trust. Ramakrishna’s devotion to Kali was marked by profound mystical experiences and intense spiritual practices. Known to enter deep states of trance, or samadhi, he would often feel Kali’s presence so vividly that he lost all sense of the material world, merging into a state of divine ecstasy. Ramakrishna spoke of Kali as both the cosmic mother and the essence of all that exists, seeing her not as an external deity but as the underlying force behind all life. This intimate connection led him to a unique realization that the divine resides in every being and experience. His unwavering love for Kali transcended traditional worship, as he saw her as his teacher and protector. Often, he would be seen talking to her, laughing, crying, and even questioning her, as one would with a close confidant. For him, Kali was not bound by rituals but was the living force behind every moment. Ramakrishna’s path of devotion, or bhakti, was so pure that his teachings drew people from all walks of life, inspiring them to seek the divine with the same sincerity. Ramakrishna’s influence continues today, especially through the Ramakrishna Mission, where his legacy lives on as a beacon of selfless devotion, love, and the search for the divine in all aspects of life. His devotion to Kali exemplifies the power of surrender and the transformative nature of genuine, heartfelt worship. For Ramakrishna, Kali was more than a goddess; she was his mother, his world, and the very essence of existence.
Krishnananda Agambagish, was a revered Bengali tantric scholar and mystic credited with formalizing and popularizing the worship of Goddess Kali, particularly through Kali Puja. A 16th-century figure, he is considered one of the founding figures of Bengali Shakta Tantric traditions, and his works and influence on Kali worship remain deeply respected in Bengal and beyond. His devotion and scholarly contributions played a key role in establishing Kali Puja as a central practice within Bengali Hinduism.
Life and Influence of Krishnananda Agamavagisha
Krishnananda was a distinguished tantric practitioner and an ardent devotee of Kali, residing in Nabadwip, a historical center of spirituality in Bengal. Known as “Agamavagisha” (Master of the Agamas or Tantras), he dedicated his life to mastering and expanding upon the intricate rituals of Tantra, specifically those associated with the worship of Kali. His studies encompassed the Tantrasara, a comprehensive manual on tantric rituals, which he authored and which details the practices and philosophy of Kali Puja as well as other rituals.
Krishnananda believed in the fierce yet benevolent aspect of Kali, seeing her as a goddess who guides her devotees through the mysteries of life and death. His understanding of Kali was profound, seeing her not only as a deity to be revered but as a cosmic force of creation, protection, and transformation. Through his teachings, Kali became more accessible to ordinary people, as he introduced ways to worship her that went beyond the austere practices typically associated with Tantra. This approach greatly expanded Kali’s following in Bengal, shaping how people celebrated her.
Contribution to Kali Puja
Krishnananda Agamavagisha’s major contribution to the tradition of Kali worship was the formalization of Kali Puja as an organized, structured ritual. Prior to this, Kali was worshipped in a more personal and sometimes secretive manner, particularly by wandering ascetics and Tantrics who meditated on her in cremation grounds. Krishnananda’s detailed texts laid down specific guidelines for Kali Puja, making it possible for both households and temples to celebrate the goddess with defined rituals.
His influence made Kali Puja more accessible to householders and commoners, bringing it from secretive tantric circles into mainstream Hindu practice. Kali Puja is now celebrated with immense devotion, especially in Bengal, on the night of the new moon in the month of Kartik (October-November), a time when devotees invoke Kali’s power to dispel ignorance and darkness.
Legacy and the Agamvagisha Lineage
Krishnananda’s work created a lineage of Kali sadhaks (devotees), tantric practitioners, and scholars who continued his teachings and spread the tradition of Kali worship. His disciples and followers built upon his methods, establishing Kali Puja as an enduring aspect of Bengali culture. The teachings and rituals associated with Agamavagisha have also influenced other forms of Shakta (goddess-oriented) worship, emphasizing a holistic view of the divine feminine as both nurturing and fierce.
Today, Kali Puja remains one of the most celebrated festivals in Bengal, and Krishnananda Agamavagisha is venerated as one of its founders. His legacy has cemented the importance of Kali in Bengali spirituality, with Kali Puja attracting worshipers who seek her blessings for strength, protection, and wisdom.
Bhaba Pagla
Bhaba Pagla, or Bhaba Pagla Chattopadhyay (1902–1984), was a saint and mystic who became an influential Kali sadhak in Bengal. Known for his unconventional approach to spirituality, he was called “Pagla” or “the mad one” for his ecstatic devotion and spontaneous, seemingly erratic behaviors that resonated deeply with his followers. Bhaba Pagla’s songs and teachings often revolved around the themes of divine love, surrender, and the realization of truth beyond the physical world. His devotion to Kali was intense, and he saw her as a nurturing mother who guided him in life and transcended ordinary understanding. Today, Bhaba Pagla’s songs are sung widely in Bengal, continuing his legacy of simple, heartfelt devotion to Kali.
