Hi all,
This year Kali Puja will be celebrated on Friday, 9 November. Unlike other Hindu pujas this one is at night. It would provide a useful opportunity to meet and interact with Hindus, especially Bengali Hindus. This webpage lists some of the venues in Britain.
But being an American site, the information re Britain may be out-of-date.
This website for Liverpool does have a map (click on 'location' tab). The puja there is excellent with excellent facilities. I expect to visit, even though I don't agree with the description of Ma Durga on the index page.
I have found the following sites in London(in no particular order):
[DLMURL] http://www.sbcuk.co.uk/Kali%20Puja%20Invitation.html [/DLMURL]
and in Wembley, Middlesex
In the next post, I shall try to summarise some info on Ma Kali.
Regards.
Prashna
Thank you so much for this, Prashna. The address in Palmers Green is not that far from my house. I shall definitely try to be there. (The link you gave leads to a page with images of Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Saradadevi.)
I know the temple in Tooting - it is the Muthumariamman temple and is Tamil. It is a lovely place and I used to know some of the priests there - they came on secondment as it were from the big Siva temple in Tiruvannamalai. I love their pujas but it's the other side of London from me so I will try to get to Palmers Green instead. (I'm sure you didn't need to know all that!)
With love
Sunanda xxx
Hi all,
The story of Ma Kali is long and complex. Fortunately, Wikipedia does provide a useful summary, which is accurate, mostly!
From
also see:
The tradition in Bengal is well shown here:
The story behind the idol:
Once the demons named Shambhu and Nishambhu grew in force and pose a challenge to Indra, King of Devas, and all the deities. They sought protection from Mahamaya Durga. At this stage Goddess Kali was born from Durga's forehead as Kal Bhoi Nashini to save heaven and earth from the growing cruelty of the demons.
After slaughtering the demons, Kali made a garland of their heads and wore it around her neck. She became so engrossed in the destruction and annihilation that total annihilation became imminent. Only Shiva could stop the process. He lay prostate under her feet, like a corpse. Shocked at this sight, Kali stuck out her tongue in shame and stopped. The usual idol of Ma Kali, with her tongue hanging out, captures that moment.
That moment is celebrated as Kali Puja.
The explanation cited in the Wiki article is worth noting:
Excerpt:
"Shiva, or <a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="Mahadeva">Mahadeva represents <a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="Brahman">Brahman, the Absolute pure consciousness which is beyond all names, forms and activities.
Kali, on the other hand, represents the potential (and manifested) energy responsible for all names, forms and activities.
She is his Shakti, or creative power, and is seen as the substance behind the entire content of all consciousness. She can never exist apart from Shiva or act independently of him, i.e., Shakti, all the matter/energy of the universe, is not distinct from Shiva, or Brahman, but is rather the dynamic power of Brahman."
That last sentence is a good summary.
The story in chapters 5 to 10 of Shrii Shrii Chandii, (Devi Mahatmyam) is slightly different. 10:5 and 10:6 are worth noting, in which all the various forms of Ma Chandii including Chamunda (Ma Kali) dissolve into Ma Chandii. Useful confirmation of the essentially monotheistic nature of Sanatana Dharma, despite appearances to the contrary.
As the story from Shrii Shrii Chandii is quite long, I hope to cover it in another post.
Regards.
Prashna
Thank you so much for this, Prashna. The address in Palmers Green is not that far from my house. I shall definitely try to be there. (The link you gave leads to a page with images of Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Saradadevi.)
...
With love
Sunanda xxx
You are most welcome, Sunanda.
Yes, indeed, the webpage I cited was the only webpage directly relating to Kali Puja that they have put up, to date. Their main page, which has a lovely picture of Ma Durga is here:
I am sure you know that the avatar you use is that of BhadraKali, referred to in 3:9, 4:39 and 11:26 of Shrii Shrii Chandii that you have (albeit in Devi Mahatmyam format). I am sure you know what BhadraKali means and have read all three slokas, repeatedly perhaps!
Of the three, 11:26 is my favourite. I shall split the complex and compound words as far as possible for easy reading:
jyAlA karAlam ati-ugram ashesha-asura-suudanam
___trishulam pAtu no bhiite bhadrakAli namah astute.
and my own translation, which differs slightly (surprise, surprise!!)
from that in your book(which I have also).
Dazzlingly Radiant, most active,
___ destroyer of countless asuras /
Protect us from fear, with your trident
___O bhadraKali, obeisances to thee //
Regards.
Prashna
Prashna
I've just pmed you about the Kali Puja in London: not sure if you've spotted it yet.
Love
Sunanda x
Prashna
I've just pmed you about the Kali Puja in London: not sure if you've spotted it yet.
Love
Sunanda x
Replied!
Hi all,
I went to our nearest Kali Puja yesterday evening.
Absolute delight. Vibrant occasion, Good Shyama Sangeet - that's special music and lyrics to revere and love Ma Kali (also called Ma Shyama).
And very good vegetarian food!
Sunanda please go, you'd love it.
Anyone else, you might give it a try.
No invitation required.
I found several Westerners (mostly English) in our Puja last night. I made a point of approaching them and making them feel at home. I even explained the context of the Kali Puja to one interested enquirer.
I am sure the London Pujas will have several Bengalis equally hospitable or even more.
Regards.
Prashna
Thanks Prashna. I received your pm and replied. I am indeed going and am looking forward to it.
Love
Sunanda x
there is no real official Kali Puja in Nashville. There is an indian doctor that hold's one at his house, but i don't know anyone from anyone to so i wasn't comfortable to go. I'm moving to Seattle in a few weeks and there's much larger indian population out there, and also some organization affiliated with Ramakrishna - so i'm wondering/hoping there might be other Kali devotees in that city - would be so nice !!!
Hey Andy
If there are Ramakrishna people in Seattle, for sure there will be some Kali devotees. Good luck with your move. Don't lose touch.
Love
Sunanda xxx
Ramakrishna Missions worldwide
there is no real official Kali Puja in Nashville. There is an indian doctor that hold's one at his house, but i don't know anyone from anyone to so i wasn't comfortable to go. I'm moving to Seattle in a few weeks and there's much larger indian population out there, and also some organization affiliated with Ramakrishna - so i'm wondering/hoping there might be other Kali devotees in that city - would be so nice !!!
Hi Nishira,
Addresses worldwide inc. USA here:
Seattle
Website: <a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="www.vedanta-seattle.org">www.vedanta-seattle.org
Portland
Website: <a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="www.vedantasociety.org">www.vedantasociety.org
Regards.
Prashna
yes, that's exactly who I'm referring to - thank you! So i'm hoping that as they're affiliated with Ramakrishna that hopefully - that will equate with a passion and devotion to Kali as well.