Kali Puja/Diwali
Kali Puja/Diwali 2023
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 12th November 2023
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Time: 5-10PM
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Venue: Chestnuts Community Centre
280 St Ann's Road, London N15 5BN
Programme:
The evening will consist of puja, anjali, and aarti followed by a variety of performances and bhajans performed by both internal and external artists.
Prasadam will be served after the aarti.
Story of Kali Puja / Diwali
The Story of Kali
Goddess Kali is known as the aggressive form of Goddess and foremost of the ten incarnation of Goddess Durga.
Whenever peace is disturbed on Earth or in the universe a spiritual form reincarnates. Many thousands of years ago when the demons, Shambhu and Nishambhu, disturbed the peace of Indra, the king of Gods, and his empire (heaven), Indra and the Gods went on to extensive and endless battles, but the Gods lost all hope and the demons became stronger.
The despondent Gods took refuge in the holy mountains of the Himalayas where Lord Shiva & Parvati (Durga) reside. The shaken and downhearted Gods wanted protection from Mahamaya Durga, the Goddess of Shakti (ultimate spiritual power). Durga then miraculously created Kali, another Shakti from Her forehead also known as Kal Bhoi Nashini. Kali was created to save Heaven and Earth from the growing cruelty of the demons. Along with Dakini and Jogini, Her escorts, Kali set her way to end the war and kill the devils and to restore peace on Earth and in Heavens.
There was chaos all around. After slaughtering the demons, Kali made a garland of their heads and wore it around her neck. In the bloodbath she lost control and started killing anyone who came her way. Even the Gods started running for their Lives. The only source of protection seemed Lord Shiva, Durga's consort.
Seeing the endless slaughter, Shiva devised a plan to save the world. He lay down in the path of the rampaging Kali. When the Goddess unknowingly stepped on him, she was shocked at the sight of Lord Shiva lying under her foot and at that very moment she regained her senses to repent symbolising by biting her tongue out. The well-known picture of Ma Kali, with her tongue hanging out, actually depicts the moment when she steps on the Lord Shiva and repents.
This momentous day is known as Kali puja, and is held to diminish the ego and all negative tendencies that hinder spiritual progress & material prosperity in our society. North London Prabhati Sangha celebrates this auspicious day every year.
Where mainly and how Kali Puja is celebrated?
Mainly Hindus observe and celebrate this festival throughout the world but it is very popular in India in the region of West Bengal, Orissa and Assam where people celebrate with much fervour and spirit. The event is celebrated in most household but it is also celebrated by setting thousand of pandals (open pavilions) across the states.
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Devotees visit these pandals which has idol of Goddess Kali for worshiping purpose thought-out the night for worshiping and celebrating until the dawn. Devotees offer "Jova pul" (red Hibiscus flowers), sweet, vegetables, rice and lentils to the Goddess.
Some devotees practice the tradition of ritual dressing of Goddess Kali in her form of Adi Shakti. Oil lamps are lit everywhere to signify auspicious moment and peace.
Along with idol of Goddess Kali the devotees also house images and idols of Lord Shiva, her consort. Puja (worshiping) begins at midnight and carries on till dawn. Worshippers throughout the night perform rituals and recite mantra as a way of worshiping the Goddess. Many people display fireworks and arrange musical and theatrical functions based on the Goddess
When does the event takes place?
Kali puja also known as Diwali is celebrated by the worshippers around October or November just few days after Durga puja. It is on the new moon day of Hindu month of Ashwin, on the night of Kartik Amavasya that is in around October or November. Devotees believe that by believing and worshiping her helps one maintain sanity in the inner world as well as helps to eliminate evil from ones surrounding world and bring peace and tranquillity.
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