Diwali

Happy Diwali
From 101lifeStyle.com

Kali Puja - West Bengal:

In West Bengal, five days after Dussehra, Lakshmi Puja takes place on a full moon day. On Amavasya during the time of Diwali, Bengalis worship the Goddess of Shakti, Goddess Kali.This is the second biggest festival after Durga Puja in Bengal. Goddess Kali, or Maa Kali is represented as a consort of Lord Shiva and is the darker and more violent aspect of Ma Durga. The word 'kali' means 'the black one'. Since Lord Shiva is called 'kala' - the eternal time, his consort Ma Kali also means 'the time' and 'death'. Hence Ma Kali is the Goddess of Time and Change. Ma Kali is also worshipped as Bhavatarini (the redeemer of the Universe).
Goddess Kali is associated with Tantric rituals and the figure of Kali conveys death, destruction and the Tantric approach to Kali is to display courage by confronting her on cremation grounds in the dead of night, despite her fearsome appearance. Both Maa Kali and Lord Shiva are said to inhabit cremation grounds and devotees often go to these places to meditate.
Goddess Kali plays a central part in late medieval devotional literature with devotees such as Ramprasad Sen in 1718 - 75.

Legend behind Origin Of Ma Kali:
Mention of Maa Kali, appears in the 6th Century 'Devi Mahatmyam' (a Hindu text) as one of the Shaktis of Mahadevi, and defeats the demon, Raktabija. The 10th century 'Kalika Puran' venerates Maa Kali as the ultimate reality or Brahma and also as 'Adi Shakti' (fundamental power).
1. According to 'Devi Mahatmyam', the most famous myth suggests that Maa Durga along with her assistants, Matrikas, wounded the demon Raktabija in an attempt to destroy him. The demon started bleeding and for every drop of blood shed from his body, he would replicate himself into a clone. Maa Durga found it difficult to destroy him as the battlefield became full of his duplicates. It was at this time that Maa Durga takes the ferocious form of Maa Kali. Goddess Kali killed Raktabija by sucking his blood out of his body and also killed all his duplicates by popping them one by one into her mouth. To celebrate her victory she then breaks into a dance on the battlefield stepping upon the slain corpses. Her consort Lord Shiva lies among the dead beneath her feet, a representation of Kali commonly seen in her iconography as Daksinakali. Maa Kali is also referred to as Chamunda that is the slayer of demons Chandi and Munda.
2. Another legend according to Markendaya Purana suggests that during the Tretayug, two giant demons Shambhu and Nishambhu having attained immense powers started to disturb Lord Indra (The king of Gods) and the Gods of Heaven. Numerous battles between the Gods and the Demons only caused the demons to get stronger only to defeat the Gods. The frightened Gods, took shelter in the Himalayas, the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and sought their help. Maa Kali then took birth from Maa Durgas forehead, as Kal Bhoi Nashini, a savior of Heaven and earth from the threats of the demons. Helped by her two escorts Dakini, and Jogini, Maa Kali went of to kill all demons. After killing all demons, Maa Kali made a garland out of their heads and wore it around her neck. Much chaos prevailed and Maa Kali, lost senses and went onto kill all that came in her way. When the Gods sought Lord Shiva's help, he lay down among the dead. Maa Kali stepped on him, and upon realising her mistake, stopped her rampage and stuck out her tongue in shame, this is a popular representation of Maa Kali that is worshipped.

Diwali Celebrations In North/West India

Diwali / Kali Puja Celebrations In East India