काली माता आरती
Goddess Kali is the most powerful and fierce form of the Divine Mother (Adi Shakti). Her name means "the black one" or "she who is beyond time." Though fearsome in appearance — black-skinned, four-armed, tongue extended, wearing a garland of skulls — she is the supreme protector and liberator. She destroys ignorance and ego, and her devotees experience her as the most tender of mothers. She is the patron goddess of Bengal and is worshipped intensely during Kali Puja (Diwali night in Bengal).
जय काली माता, महाकाली माता ।
तेरे चरणों में सिर नमाता ॥
जय काली माता ॥
श्मशान बिहारिणी, महाभयहारिणी ।
कालरात्रि महारानी, दुर्गति निवारिणी ॥
जय काली माता ॥
मुण्डमाल धारिणी, नरमुण्ड भुषिणी ।
खड्ग शूल धारिणी, अरि दल भक्षिणी ॥
जय काली माता ॥
घोर रूप धारिणी, महाघोर नादिनी ।
जग को भय दिखलाती, भक्तों की सहाई ॥
जय काली माता ॥
रक्त पान करती हैं, दानव दल हरती हैं ।
श्याम वर्ण काया, भैरव संग लीला ॥
जय काली माता ॥
वाम हस्त में कपाल, खड्ग दाहिने में विशाल ।
अभय मुद्रा सोहे, वर दे कर पावन ॥
जय काली माता ॥
काली आरती जो गावे, दुःख दरिद्र मिट जावे ।
शत्रु पराजित होंगे, संकट सब हर जावे ॥
जय काली माता ॥
Jai Kali Mata, Mahakali Mata,
Tere charno mein sir namaata.
Jai Kali Mata.
Shamshaan bihaariini, mahabhayahaarani,
Kaalraatri mahaaraani, durgati nivaariini.
Jai Kali Mata.
Mundamaala dhaarini, naramunda bhooshini,
Khadg shool dhaarini, ari dal bhakshini.
Jai Kali Mata.
Ghor roop dhaarini, mahaaghor naadini,
Jag ko bhay dikhlaati, bhakton ki sahaai.
Jai Kali Mata.
Rakt paan karti hain, daanav dal harti hain,
Shyaam varn kaayaa, Bhairav sang leela.
Jai Kali Mata.
Vaam hast mein kapaal, khadg daahine mein vishaal,
Abhay mudra sohe, var de kar paavan.
Jai Kali Mata.
Kali aarti jo gaave, dukh daridra mit jaave,
Shatru paraajit honge, sankat sab har jaave.
Jai Kali Mata.
Victory to Kali Mata! Victory to Mahakali Mata!
I bow my head at your feet.
She who roams the cremation grounds, the great destroyer of fears,
The great queen of the dark night (Kalaratri), the remover of misfortune.
Wearer of a garland of skulls, adorned with human heads,
Bearer of sword and trident, devourer of the armies of enemies.
She who assumes the terrible form, who sounds the great terrible roar,
She shows fear to the world yet is the helper of her devotees.
She who drinks blood, she who destroys the demon hordes,
Dark-bodied, she sports with Bhairava (a fierce form of Shiva).
Skull in the left hand, a great sword in the right,
Adorned with the fearlessness-gesture, her auspicious hand grants boons.
Whoever sings the Kali aarti, their sorrow and poverty shall be erased,
Enemies shall be defeated; all difficulties shall be removed.
Every element of Kali's terrifying appearance has deep spiritual meaning:
- Black skin: She is beyond all the qualities (gunas); black absorbs all colors — she is infinite
- Extended red tongue: In some traditions, she tasted the blood of the demon Raktabija; also represents rajas (the active quality) being controlled
- Garland of 52 skulls (Munadam): The 52 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet — she is the source and destroyer of all sound/speech
- Standing on Shiva: She is Shakti (energy); without her, Shiva is inert; she animates the universe
- Four arms: Right hands — sword (cuts ignorance) and severed head (ego must be removed); Left hands — gesture of fearlessness and boon-granting
Best time: Kali Puja (Diwali night in Bengal — Kartik Amavasya), Tuesdays and Saturdays, midnight worship (as she is the goddess of night), and during the Shaktism festivals of Navratri.
Major temples: Kalighat (Kolkata), Dakshineswar (Kolkata), Kamakhya (Guwahati, Assam).