Diwali is just a step away and the Bengali community celebrated Lakshmi Puja last week, before the rest of the country. Kojagiri or Lakshmi Puja is followed by Kali Puja in rapid succession. Jayanta Kumar Basu, President – Bombay Durga Bari Samiti shares, “Kali Puja coincides with the popular festival of Deepavali, and is celebrated with equal enthusiasm, mainly by people from the eastern parts of India. We at Bombay Durga Bari Samiti also celebrate Laxmi Puja with great verve and vigour, including serving pure vegetarian bhog after the evening aarti to devotees and the underprivileged.”
Kali Puja which is celebrated on the eve of Diwali or on Diwali night, was introduced in Bengal during the 18th century. Along with Durga Puja, now Kali Puja is the biggest goddess festival in Bengal. Ma Kali is worshipped for the purpose of destroying all evil that is in the outside world and the world within us. Legend says that two asuras, Shambhu and Nishambhu, grew all powerful and disturbed the peace in heaven. To restore peace, the gods created Kali out of Durga’s forehead. Kali, with her two escorts, Dakini and Jagini; set out to end the war by killing the demons.
After slaughtering all the demons, she made a garland of slain demon heads and wore it around her neck. But in her mission, she lost control and started killing anyone who came in her way. To put an end to this carnage, Lord Shiva devised a plan to come in between the rampaging path of Kali. It’s when Kali unknowingly stepped on him that she recovered her senses. This is the reason why the tongue of Kali is depicted as popping out.
Bengalis all over the world and indeed in Mumbai also observe Kali Puja with great fervour and devotion. Bombay Durga Bari Samiti takes pride in celebrating both the festivals in keeping with the tradition and grandeur associated with the festival. They make it a point to help those who need it the most during these festivals and through the year as well. Bombay Durga Bari Samiti will be celebrating Kali Puja today at Mathuradas Vissinji Hall (Tejpal Hall), Gowalia Tank, opp August Kranti Maidan, Grant Road. The Puja starts from 9pm and the Bhog (vegetarian) will be served to one and all from 11pm onwards.