Sree Vijaya Kali Ashram

Sri Shyama Puja

Sri Shyama or Kali is one of the Mahavidyas (great knowledge) whose sadhana (spiritual practice) revolves around time. Worshipping Sri Kali will bestow great longevity in sadhana for divine experiences. She is one of the main devatas of our Peeth, Temple and worshipped as Vishwajanani (mother of the world). Shyama Puja also known as Kali puja or Mahanisha Puja and is celebrated on the Amavasya (no moon) day of Kartika month. While on Diwali, Kali is worshipped as a great Shakti, a Mahavidya and as divine wisdom and power; On Kartika Amavasya, she is worshipped as Shyama a more compassionate form merging the tatwa of Sri Krishna as well. While Diwali Kali puja is a time of power and protection, Shyama puja is time of compassion and Ananda. The Ananda tatwa of Kali is embossed in the worship of Shyama puja. Sri Krishna and Kali will merge together on this Amavasya day roaming in the Kunja vanas (divine gardens) in Brindavan in the aspect of Ananda tatwa. From both of their exquisite divine ecstasy comes out the Devi Shyama; representing the compassionate and wrathful tatwas of both the deities.

Shyama is in the complexion of blue (Neela or Shyama) more close to a heavy watery dark cloud. Some parts of the puja depict Shyama in the complexions of green and turquoise also depending on different tatwas for their different reasons. She grants perfection in the efficiency of performing Sri Kali Sadhana (spiritual practices). Part of the worship of Shyama Kali includes offerings and milk, butter, pomegranate juice, sugar candy, hibiscus flowers, rice, sweets and many more. Sri Shyama is known for her Komala tatwa where kali is worshipped as Shakti tatwa which reflects on Krishna Maha Bhava tatwa. Like Durga puja, pandals are made on the streets of Bengal, Bihar and many other places worshipping Kali as Shyama Devi on this night. Shyama Amavasya is celebrated after the Ras Purnima (also known as Kartik Purnima) where Sri Krishna is adorned with the essence of Vaishnav rites. The Kali of Kalighat temple is also worshipped in the aspect of Lakshmi on this day as to reflect the Vaishnav tatwas on Kali worship. The temple is visited by many thousands of devotees who offer animal sacrifices to Devi.

Shyama is the elegant goddess who manifests Ananda tatwa into the sadhanas (spiritual practices) of her devotees who will then love to accept the world (Jagat) as Maha Bhava vidya or Shyama Shuddha vidya. Shyama is also very close to the Mathangi form of Shyamala Devi, where Shyamala activates the mind in a more artistic method. Shyamala Devi is a divine wisdom whose sadhana revolves around ida and pingala channels for intricate perfection of different siddhis for various reasons; where Shyama's sadhana is based the shushumna channel directly, with the guidance of Dakini Devis.

Many other forms of Kali are worshipped at Sree Vijaya Kali Ashram throughout the year as Maha Kali puja, Tara puja, Adhya Kali puja, Adya Pith Kali puja, Dipanvita Kalika puja, Kahalaya Kali puja, Siddha Kali puja and the biggest of all Kalighat Kali puja, and many more. All devotees may come and participate in the pujas and utsavs to Devi and be blessed by Mother's grace.

Jai Bhavani Jai Kali Bhavani Athmaram 10 Oct 2017