Kali Puja facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kali Puja |
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| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Celebrations | Fireworks |
| Observances | Prayers, Religious rituals (see puja, prashad) |
| Date | Decided by lunar calendar |
| Frequency | annual |
Kali Puja is a special festival that honors the powerful Hindu goddess Kali. It's also known as Shyama Puja or Mahanisha Puja. This celebration happens on the new moon night of the Hindu month called Kartik.
Kali Puja is mostly celebrated in certain parts of India, like West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, and Tripura. It's also a big festival in Bangladesh. This festival often takes place around the same time as Diwali, which is celebrated across most of India. While many people in India worship Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali, people in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and among the Maithil community focus on Goddess Kali.
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What is Kali Puja?
Kali Puja is a time when people show their devotion to Goddess Kali. She is seen as a fierce but loving mother figure who protects her followers from evil. People believe she brings strength and helps overcome challenges.
How is Kali Puja Celebrated?
During Kali Puja, people perform special prayers and religious rituals called puja. They offer food and sweets, known as prashad, to the goddess. Many homes and public places set up beautiful altars and statues of Kali.
A big part of the celebration is lighting up the night! Just like Diwali, fireworks are a common sight during Kali Puja. The sky fills with colorful lights and loud sounds, making the festival very exciting.
Where is Kali Puja Celebrated?
This festival is especially popular in the eastern parts of India. In states like West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Tripura, it's one of the most important celebrations of the year. In Bangladesh, it's also widely observed.
The Mahanisha Puja is a specific way of celebrating Kali Puja. It is done by the Maithili people who live in the Mithila region, which spans parts of India and Nepal. This shows how different communities have their own unique ways of honoring the goddess.
Images for kids
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A Kali Puja pandal with a replica of the Kalighat Kali Temple icon.
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Idol of goddess Kali kept near Nimtala ghat for Visarjan or Immersion in the waters of river Hooghly
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A child bursting firecracker in Bengal during Kali Puja
