Bhadrakali Jayanti

 In some parts of India, an angry woman is often described as ‘Bhadrakali’. But such women do not take it as an insult and instead, consider it as a tribute. For Bhadrakali is the name of a revered Hindu goddess, who is also one of the 8 forms of Goddess Kali and a fierce form of Goddess Shakti, the Divine Mother. She is regarded as another form of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Some also regard her as the consort of Shiva in the form of Bhairava or Mahakal.

The Goddess of war and symbol of power and fierceness, Bhadrakali is mainly worshipped by followers of Shaktism, Shaivism and Tantrism. However, she also has Vaishnava devotees to whom she is a form of Yogamaya. There are many references to her in the ancient Scriptures, notably the Puranas. She is said to have the power to change people’s destiny.

 

Her worship is connected to the Tantrik traditions related to the Matrikas and the Dasa Mahavidyas. In Tantrism, Shiva represents consciousness and Kali represents energy or power.

In Kerala, devotees worship her as Mahakali, Chamunda, and Kariam Kali Murti Devi.

 

In ancient times, the Rajputs, a warrior race, would worship her before going to battle. Tamils refer to her as Mahalaya Bhagavati or Mahalaya Bhadrakali.

 

She is the guardian deity of Kalaripayattu (a martial art form of Kerala) practitioners. One legend says that the renowned poet Kalidasa became a poet due to her power.

 

It is also believed that King Vikramaditya and his brother Bhatti gained prosperity by worshipping her.

 

Bhadrakali Jayanti

Bhadrakali Jayanti celebrates the day when  Goddess Bhadrakali appeared. Bhadrakali Jayanti 2025 falls on May 23. It is celebrated on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha (waning Moon phase) in Jyeshtha month. The day is more auspicious if it coincides with Tuesday and Revati Nakshatra. The day’s significance increases if it comes after Kumbh Mela.

Devotees wear black clothes on this day and offer coconut water to Goddess Bhadrakali. They also bathe her idol with milk, honey, ghee, sugar, etc. The rituals begin at noon.

 

Devotees believe that worshipping the goddess on her Jayanti will help them overcome planetary afflictions or Doshas in their horoscope. It is also said that it will help fulfill eleven of their desires.

In some places, Kumari Pooja is also performed. In this ritual, girl children who are believed to represent the goddess are worshipped.

The day is also called Bhadrakali Ekadashi.

 

Origin stories of Bhadrakali

There are many stories about the origin of Goddess Bhadrakali.

 

Sati’s Self-immolation

According to one, when Sati, Shiva’s first wife, immolated herself in the fire at the Yagna performed by her father Dakṣha, an angry Shiva rushed there. He pulled out his hair and threw it down. From this hair emerged two fierce entities - Vīrabhadra and Bhadrakālī. Bhadrakālī is Sati or Parvati herself in another form.

 

Devi Mahatmya Version

The Devi Mahatmya says that the goddess emerged from the forehead of an angry Goddess Durga. Thus, she is the manifestation of Durga’s wrath. She kills the demons called Chanda and Munda and later Raktabija. After killing the demon, she did not calm down and continued her bloodbath. Finally, Shiva laid down on the rampaging Kali’s path. When she stepped on him, she realized her mistake and calmed down.

 

Kali and Darika

Yet another story popular in Kerala avers that Kali incarnated to kill the demon Darika. Darika gained power over all the three worlds and began to destroy all that was good. Sage Narada told Shiva about Darika’s shenanigans. A furious Shiva opened his third eye and Kali emerged from it. She fought Darika and killed him after a lengthy battle. This story is very popular in Kerala, where people worship her as Bhadrakali.

 

Another legend says that she is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. While Parvati is compassionate or ‘Shantha swaroopini,’ Kali is her terrible aspect.

 

Iconography

In most depictions, Bhadrakali has 3 eyes and 4 or 16 or 18 hands. She has many weapons in her hands. Flames flow from her head and a small tusk projects from her mouth. In one of her hands, she holds the severed head of a demon. Her tongue is red with blood, and a crown adorns her head. On her neck is a garland of skulls. In some images, she stands on Shiva, who lies beneath her.

 

The Tantra Rahasya claims that the goddess emerged from Shiva’s north face. She has a blue complexion.

 

In some images, she displays the blessing (Varada Mudra) gesture with two of her front hands, while the others carry various weapons. This form represents her benevolent aspect.

 

Significance of Goddess Bhadrakali

Goddess Kali symbolizes life’s harsh realities, including the violence in Nature as well as living beings. She makes us aware of the need for discrimination and dispassion and teaches us that good and evil are part of everything, and that to progress spiritually, we must overcome our baser instincts.

 

Benefits of Observing Bhadrakali Jayanti

Worshipping Bhadrakali on her Jayanti helps devotees to connect with her deeply and gain many blessings and benefits, like the following.

It removes planetary Doshas in the horoscope.

It grants protection from malefic forces.

It can fulfill 11 wishes.

It bestows success, good health, and good fortune.

It removes obstacles in life.

It can eliminate financial problems and suffering.

It protects one from black magic and evil eyes.

It brings relief from fatal diseases.

It bestows wisdom and Moksha.