Kali | |
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Mother Goddess; Goddess of Time, Change, Creation, Power, Destruction and Death | |
Member of the Ten Mahavidyas | |
Affiliation | Adi Shakti, Durga, Parvati, Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Mahavidyas, Devi, Shakti, Mariamman, Tara, Chinnamasta |
Abode | Cremation grounds (but varies by interpretation), Manidvipa |
Mantra |
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Weapon | Scimitar, Trishula (Trident) |
Day | Tuesday and Friday |
Mount | Wolf, Fox |
Texts | Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Devi Mahatmya, Kalika Purana, Shakta Upanishads, Tantras |
Gender | Female |
Festivals | Kali Puja, Navaratri |
Consort | Shiva |
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Hinduism portal |
Kali (/ˈkɑːliː/; Sanskrit: काली, IAST: Kālī), also called Kalika, is a major Hindu goddess associated with time, change, creation, power, destruction and death in Shaktism.[1] Kali is the first of the ten Mahavidyas in the Hindu tantric tradition.[2]
Kali's earliest appearance is when she emerged from Durga. The goddess is stated to destroy evil in order to defend the innocent. Over time, Kali has been worshipped by devotional movements and Tàntric sects variously as the Divine Mother, Mother of the Universe, Principal energy (Adi Shakti).[3][4][5]
Shakta and Tantric sects additionally worship Kali as the ultimate reality or Brahman.[5] She is also seen as the divine protector and the one who bestows moksha, (liberation).[3] Worshipped throughout South Asia but particularly in Nepal, South India, Bengal, and Assam; Kali is a central figure in Goddess-centric traditions of Hinduism as well as in Shaivism.[1][6]