Kali Puja very appropriately falls on Halloween this year. Kali, as the feminine manifestation of time, is often associated with death and destruction but, actually, she is Life itself in all its infinite forms. Life is powerful and dynamic energy bursting into infinite ways of being. We worship the form of the Devi known as Dakshina Kali, the more ‘gentle’ form of the fierce and dynamic goddess.She is the explosion of the cosmos coming into being and the force of a tiny mushroom bursting its way through pavement to reach towards the sun. She is Love in all its iterations.
Kali is a transformational Devi. For Her devotees, She is said to quickly lead one to realization.
Her form can be interpreted in many ways. For Her devotees, She is showing the mudra of fearlessness and the mudra of Grace in Her two right hands. In Her left hands She holds the sword of wisdom and the head of a demon, symbolizing the removal of ego-based destructive thoughts and actions that mask our true, divine nature. She is standing on Shiva,Brahman-the formless who is white, w/o color. She Herself is black, all colors, in constant motion for She is the shakti-the dynamic power of the One.
We perform the full, elaborate Kali Puja. During the ceremony the presence of the goddess is invoked from the formless into form. First, She is invoked in the ghat/water pot, a part of the ritual that must be very ancient. Next, She is invoked in the pujari/the one performing the ritual and there worshipped in Her subtle/pranic form. Finally, She is invoked in the murti/the physical image. That presence of the Mother is very tangible and remains throughout the rest of the ritual and homa fire until, at the very end, She is asked to return to Her true abode-Brahman.
All are welcome to attend all or part of this puja. If you wish to bring an offering, there are many possibilities since we will be performing a full, 16-item worship. You can bring flowers, desserts, jewelry, make-up (especially sindhur and kajjal), clothing I.e.saris or shawls), perfume, incense, bath oil or any other offering appropriate for a devi. Please do not bring food that needs to be cooked or heated up in any way.
If you wish to stay overnight please let us know. For Kali Puja, please let us know at least 5 days in advance.