BhaktiLoopKaushiki Amavasya Kali Puja
Kaushiki Amavasya, also known as Kushotpatini Amavasya or Bhadrapada Amavasya, is the New Moon day falling in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August-September). This day holds immense significance in the Tantric tradition, particularly for the worship of Goddess Kali. According to the Devi Mahatmyam (Markandeya Purana), on this day, Goddess Kaushiki emerged from the kosha (sheath or body) of Goddess Parvati to defeat the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Subsequently, fierce goddesses like Kali and Chamunda emerged from Kaushiki's third eye/brow. Therefore, worshipping Kali on Kaushiki Amavasya is believed to invoke the combined power and fierce protective energies of these divine forms, making it a highly auspicious time for profound spiritual practices and the removal of deep-seated negativity.
Purpose
This puja is primarily performed for spiritual liberation (moksha), protection from evil forces, destruction of negative energies and obstacles, attainment of Siddhis (spiritual powers), fulfillment of desires, and receiving blessings for courage and strength. It is highly significant for Tantric practitioners seeking spiritual advancement and mastery over the self and the elements.
Key Rituals
Sankalpa (Taking a vow for the puja's purpose)
Purification (Achamanam, Pavithrikaranam)
Guru Vandana (Offering respects to one's spiritual preceptor, especially important in Tantric traditions)
Ghatasthapana (Placing a pot representing the deity, filled with water and sacred herbs)
Avahana (Invoking the Goddess into the idol/image/pot)
Asana, Padya, Arghya, Snana (Offering a seat, water for feet, offering water, ritual bath)
Vastra (Offering new clothes to the deity)
Alankara (Decorating with ornaments and garlands)
Gandha (Offering sandalwood paste, kumkum, vermilion)
Pushpa (Offering flowers, especially red hibiscus, marigold, lotus)
Dhupa (Lighting incense sticks)
Deepa (Lighting a lamp, often with mustard oil)
Naivedya (Offering food items like sweets, fruits, kheer, specific bhog)
Tambulam (Offering betel leaves with nuts and spices)
Mantra Japa (Repetition of Kali mantras, often performed with a rosary, typically 108, 1008, or more repetitions)
Homa/Yagna (Fire ritual, where offerings are made into a sacred fire while chanting mantras, considered very potent)
Arati (Waving a lamp before the deity)
Pushpanjali (Offering flowers with prayers)
Pradakshina (Circumambulation around the deity)
Kshama Prarthana (Prayers for forgiveness for any errors during the puja)
Brahmin Bhojan/Kanya Puja (Feeding Brahmins or worshipping young girls, optional but auspicious)
Visarjan (Ritual farewell and immersion of the idol, if applicable)
Common Offerings
Red Hibiscus flowers (Kali's favorite)
Bilva Patra (Bael leaves)
Sweets (Laddoos, Kheer, Mishti Doi - Bengali sweet yogurt)
Fruits (especially pomegranates, bananas)
Panchamrita (mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar)
Coconut
Mustard oil lamps
Incense (Dhuna)
Camphor
Kumkum (Vermilion)
Sindoor (Red powder)
Red cloths or saris
Liquor (Mahua/rice wine) and meat/fish are offered in specific Tantric traditions to the deity, but are not for consumption by devotees and not part of general Vaishnava or Smarta pujas.
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Krim Kalikaye Namah
Meaning
Salutations to Kali, the Remover of Darkness. 'Krim' is the potent Bija (seed) mantra associated with Goddess Kali, representing creation, preservation, and dissolution, and is a powerful sound vibration to invoke her energy.
Benefits
Provides protection from negative forces, destroys obstacles, facilitates spiritual awakening, and grants inner strength.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Klim Kalikaye Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Kali. 'Klim' is another powerful Bija mantra, often associated with attraction, fulfillment, and spiritual power. In the context of Kali, it represents her all-encompassing power to manifest and dissolve.
Benefits
Aids in the attainment of spiritual Siddhis, fulfills righteous desires, enhances psychic abilities, and helps overcome fear and anxiety.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Svaha Svadha Namostute.
Meaning
Salutations to You, O Victorious One (Jayanti), Auspicious One (Mangala), Kali, Auspicious Kali (Bhadrakali), Skull-bearer (Kapalini), Remover of Distress (Durga), Forgiveness (Kshama), Auspicious (Shiva), Supporter of the Universe (Dhatri), Svaha (offering to deities), Svadha (offering to ancestors).
Benefits
This hymn from Devi Mahatmyam invokes the multifaceted powers of the Divine Mother. Chanting it grants overall protection, brings prosperity, removes fear, fosters courage, and leads to liberation and spiritual growth by invoking all her benevolent and fierce aspects.
Auspicious Days
Kaushiki Amavasya (Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Amavasya - The New Moon day in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, typically August or September).
Regional Variations
Kaushiki Amavasya Kali Puja is particularly prominent and elaborately celebrated in Eastern India, especially in West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha, where the worship of Goddess Kali is deeply ingrained in the culture and Tantric traditions. Variations may include specific local customs, family traditions, differing interpretations of offerings (especially for Tantric practitioners), and the use of regional chants or dialects in the puja rituals. In some regions, it may also be observed as Kushotpatini Amavasya, where Kusha grass is collected for ritual purposes.
Related Pujas
Diwali Kali Puja (Deepavali Amavasya Kali Puja)
Naraka Chaturdashi Kali Puja (part of the Diwali festivities)
Mahavidya Pujas (worship of the ten Tantric wisdom goddesses, of which Kali is the first)
Durga Puja (as Kaushiki is an aspect of Durga)
Chamunda Puja (as Chamunda emerged from Kaushiki/Kali)