Kali Pujo in Bishnupur: The Festival Of Lights
- Ranu Das
- Oct 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 25
Kali Puja is a Hindu festival primarily celebrated by Bengalis and other devotees of Goddess Kali. It takes place on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually comes in October or November. The festival is also called Shyama Puja, Mahanisha Puja, or Dipanwita Puja. The worship of Maa Kali started long ago in ancient India, where she was known as a strong and powerful goddess. Maa Kali is believed to be a form of the Divine Mother, who shows the strength and energy of women. According to Hindu stories, Maa Kali was born from the third eye of Lord Shiva and is the symbol of Shakti, or divine energy.
In Bishnupur, Kali Puja is celebrated with the same joy and devotion as Durga Puja. The entire town lights up beautifully, and every corner echoes with the sound of drums and festive cheer. The town is home to many old and historic Kali temples. People decorate their homes and pandals with care, making the idols of Maa Kali look divine under the glowing lamps. For the people of Bishnupur, Kali Puja is more than just a festival — it is a tradition that connects their faith, history, and happiness.
Maa Chinnamasta Mandir:
One of the most famous and lively deities in Bishnupur is Maa Chinnamasta. Her temple, located near the historic Dalmadal Kaman in Bishnupur, Bankura district, is nearly 100 years old and has been recently renovated.
The name Chinnamasta comes from two Sanskrit words — Chhinna meaning “severed” and Masta meaning “head.” So, Chinnamasta means “the one with a severed head.” According to legends, the temple was originally built by the Malla kings of Bishnupur in the 17th century. Inside the temple, the idol of the goddess is very unique — she is shown holding her own head in one hand and a sword in the other, with three streams of blood flowing from her neck. According to Hindu mythology, once Goddess Parvati was bathing in the Mandakini River with her two attendants, Dakini and Varnini. They became very hungry and asked for food. To feed them, the kind goddess cut off her own head and gave them her blood to drink. Later, she joined her head back again. What makes this temple special is that the idol of Maa Chinnamasta remains in the temple throughout the year. The same idol is worshipped during Kali Puja, following all the traditional rituals with great devotion. Devotees can visit and offer prayers to Maa Chinnamasta at any time of the year, making this temple a truly sacred and active spiritual place in Bishnupur.
Boro Kali Tala:
Among all the Kali Pujas of Bishnupur, the Boro Kali Puja at Boro Kali Tola is one of the most famous and traditional celebrations. The special feature of this puja is that it continues for an entire month. The worship of Boro Kali Maa begins on the day of Kali Puja and goes on for the next thirty days with full devotion and rituals. Every day, prasad is offered to the goddess and distributed among the devotees. The whole area of Boro Kali Tola becomes filled with the sound of bells, dhak, and chanting, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere. On the final day, after a month of continuous worship, the idol of Maa Kali is immersed with great respect and emotion. This long celebration shows the strong faith and love the people of Bishnupur have for Maa Boro Kali, who is believed to protect and bless everyone throughout the year.
Raksha kali Mandir:
The Raksha Kali Puja of Bishnupur is nearly 200 years old and is one of the most unique celebrations. Unlike other places where Kali Puja is celebrated for three days, here the worship of Maa Rakhikali takes place only for one night. Another special feature is that the idol of Maa is not made in advance. On the night of the puja, after sunset, the idol of Maa Rakhsha Kali is created in a room from a shovel of mud, under lamplight. Goats are sacrificed, and the idol is immersed before sunrise.
According to local beliefs, this puja was first started by the dacoit (bandit) groups of Bishnupur, who worshipped Maa Rakhsha kali as their protector and source of power before going on risky missions. Since then, the tradition has continued unbroken for generations. Watching the ritual from up close gives true goosebumps — the sound of chants, the darkness, and the devotion together create an unforgettable experience. Video recording is strictly prohibited, keeping the mystery and holiness of the Raksha Kali Puja intact.
Notun Mohol Sosan Kali Puja:
According to the temple committee, the Notun Mohol Sosan Kali Temple is nearly 150 years old, and its history is closely connected to that of Tara Maa of Tarapith. Long ago, this area was covered with dense forests. In the middle of that forest lived a Tantric sage named Sudhirananda Saraswati, who practiced spiritual rituals there. During that time, a terrible cholera outbreak struck Bishnupur, causing the deaths of thousands of people. As there were no proper arrangements for cremation, the dead bodies were left in that area. Out of fear, many residents even fled Bishnupur.
At that time, a local man sought help from the Tantric. The sage threw his trident (trishul) and said that wherever it struck the ground, a puja should be performed for Maa Kali by placing her on a Panchamundi Asana (a sacred seat made of five skulls). Following his instructions, some local people built a small thatched hut and started worshipping the goddess there. Miraculously, after the puja began, the cholera epidemic slowly disappeared from Bishnupur. However, after the ritual, the Tantric sage was never seen again. Ever since a permanent temple was built there, the worship has continued in the same tradition. Every three years, a new idol of Maa Kali is made .
Goddess Kali is worshiped as the true form of Shakti, the source of all creation and destruction. It is a reflection of the deep faith in the culture of our town. While she is worshiped as the mother of certain localities, some name her their daughter. Some celebrate with grandeur, while some have their own mysterious rituals. Such is her glory, such is her mahima.
