Sri Sri Dakshina Kalika Puja of Nandi Bari Medinipur | 420 Year Old Tradition

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Sri Sri Dakshina Kalika Puja of Nandi Bari, Medinipur

At Nandi Bari of Medinipur, the worship of Maa Kali has been performed for nearly 420 years, alongside the traditional Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja of the household. The Kali Puja is observed every Amavasya (new moon night), and the Goddess is worshipped according to the Vaishnav tradition.

The same artisan who creates the Durga idol for Nandi Bari also crafts the idol of Maa Kali. Here the Goddess appears in the form of Neel-varna Dakshina Kalika (blue-complexioned Dakshina Kali).

Sri Sri Dakshina Kalika Puja of Nandi Bari, Medinipur At Nandi Bari of Medinipur, the worship of Maa Kali has been performed for nearly 420 years, alongside the traditional Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja of the household. The Kali Puja is observed every Amavasya (new moon night), and the Goddess is worshipped according to the Vaishnav tradition. The same artisan who creates the Durga idol for Nandi Bari also crafts the idol of Maa Kali. Here the Goddess appears in the form of Neel-varna Dakshina Kalika (blue-complexioned Dakshina Kali). Sri Sri Dakshina Kali Puja Nandi Bari Medinipur During the worship the house is beautifully illuminated, and a special seat is prepared in front of the framework of the Durga idol where Maa Kali is ceremonially installed. In this form the Mother holds a kharga (sword) in one hand, symbolizing the destruction of the demons of sorrow, suffering, and impurities from the lives of her children. Yet in the midst of this fierce form she shows her boon-giving hand, as if assuring her devotees: “Do not be afraid, I am your Mother.” Beginning of the Ritual On the day of the Puja, the rituals begin with the symbolic banishment of Alakshmi. With a broom she is driven away from the house and left at a distant road corner. After this, a sacred ghat (ritual water vessel) is immersed and brought from the household pond, and the sacred Narayan Shila, also known as Sri Sri Raghunath Jew, is ceremonially brought for the worship. The Four Prahar Worship The worship continues for nearly four prahars (several hours of ritual observance). During this time Chandi Path, Arati, and various offerings (Naivedya) are performed with devotion to worship the Divine Mother. Although Kali Puja is now celebrated in many parts of Medinipur town, Nandi Bari is primarily famous for its historic Durga Puja. For this reason many people are unaware that Maa Kali is also worshipped here, and therefore the Puja is observed in a more serene and less crowded atmosphere. Sacred Offering During the third prahar of the night, the priest personally prepares hot luchi made from refined flour and semolina (suji) and offers it to the Goddess. According to tradition, this sacred offering is prepared only by a Brahmin priest. The Mother of Nandi Bari does not accept animal sacrifice. She is revered as the Jagat Janani — the Mother of all living beings. Pushpanjali Mantra Namah Kali Kali Mahakali Kalike Papaharini Dharmakamaprade Devi Narayani Namostute Mahishaghni Mahamaye Chamunde Mundamalini Ayurarogya Vijayam Dehi Devi Namostute Esha Sachandana Gandhapushpa Bilvapatranjali Shrimad Dakshina Kalikayai Namah Conclusion of the Puja At dawn, as the birds begin to call, doi-chira (curd and flattened rice) is offered to the Goddess. With the immersion of the ritual ghat, the sacred worship comes to an end. Later in the evening or at night, the idol of the Goddess is immersed in the nearby river. With a heavy heart the devotees bid farewell to the Mother, and once again begins the long wait of an entire year for her return.

During the worship the house is beautifully illuminated, and a special seat is prepared in front of the framework of the Durga idol where Maa Kali is ceremonially installed.

In this form the Mother holds a kharga (sword) in one hand, symbolizing the destruction of the demons of sorrow, suffering, and impurities from the lives of her children. Yet in the midst of this fierce form she shows her boon-giving hand, as if assuring her devotees: “Do not be afraid, I am your Mother.”

Beginning of the Ritual

On the day of the Puja, the rituals begin with the symbolic banishment of Alakshmi. With a broom she is driven away from the house and left at a distant road corner. After this, a sacred ghat (ritual water vessel) is immersed and brought from the household pond, and the sacred Narayan Shila, also known as Sri Sri Raghunath Jew, is ceremonially brought for the worship.

The Four Prahar Worship

The worship continues for nearly four prahars (several hours of ritual observance). During this time Chandi Path, Arati, and various offerings (Naivedya) are performed with devotion to worship the Divine Mother.

Sri Sri Dakshina Kalika Puja of Nandi Bari, Medinipur At Nandi Bari of Medinipur, the worship of Maa Kali has been performed for nearly 420 years, alongside the traditional Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja of the household. The Kali Puja is observed every Amavasya (new moon night), and the Goddess is worshipped according to the Vaishnav tradition. The same artisan who creates the Durga idol for Nandi Bari also crafts the idol of Maa Kali. Here the Goddess appears in the form of Neel-varna Dakshina Kalika (blue-complexioned Dakshina Kali). Sri Sri Dakshina Kali Puja Nandi Bari Medinipur During the worship the house is beautifully illuminated, and a special seat is prepared in front of the framework of the Durga idol where Maa Kali is ceremonially installed. In this form the Mother holds a kharga (sword) in one hand, symbolizing the destruction of the demons of sorrow, suffering, and impurities from the lives of her children. Yet in the midst of this fierce form she shows her boon-giving hand, as if assuring her devotees: “Do not be afraid, I am your Mother.” Beginning of the Ritual On the day of the Puja, the rituals begin with the symbolic banishment of Alakshmi. With a broom she is driven away from the house and left at a distant road corner. After this, a sacred ghat (ritual water vessel) is immersed and brought from the household pond, and the sacred Narayan Shila, also known as Sri Sri Raghunath Jew, is ceremonially brought for the worship. The Four Prahar Worship The worship continues for nearly four prahars (several hours of ritual observance). During this time Chandi Path, Arati, and various offerings (Naivedya) are performed with devotion to worship the Divine Mother. Although Kali Puja is now celebrated in many parts of Medinipur town, Nandi Bari is primarily famous for its historic Durga Puja. For this reason many people are unaware that Maa Kali is also worshipped here, and therefore the Puja is observed in a more serene and less crowded atmosphere. Sacred Offering During the third prahar of the night, the priest personally prepares hot luchi made from refined flour and semolina (suji) and offers it to the Goddess. According to tradition, this sacred offering is prepared only by a Brahmin priest. The Mother of Nandi Bari does not accept animal sacrifice. She is revered as the Jagat Janani — the Mother of all living beings. Pushpanjali Mantra Namah Kali Kali Mahakali Kalike Papaharini Dharmakamaprade Devi Narayani Namostute Mahishaghni Mahamaye Chamunde Mundamalini Ayurarogya Vijayam Dehi Devi Namostute Esha Sachandana Gandhapushpa Bilvapatranjali Shrimad Dakshina Kalikayai Namah Conclusion of the Puja At dawn, as the birds begin to call, doi-chira (curd and flattened rice) is offered to the Goddess. With the immersion of the ritual ghat, the sacred worship comes to an end. Later in the evening or at night, the idol of the Goddess is immersed in the nearby river. With a heavy heart the devotees bid farewell to the Mother, and once again begins the long wait of an entire year for her return. Although Kali Puja is now celebrated in many parts of Medinipur town, Nandi Bari is primarily famous for its historic Durga Puja. For this reason many people are unaware that Maa Kali is also worshipped here, and therefore the Puja is observed in a more serene and less crowded atmosphere.

Sacred Offering

During the third prahar of the night, the priest personally prepares hot luchi made from refined flour and semolina (suji) and offers it to the Goddess.

According to tradition, this sacred offering is prepared only by a Brahmin priest.

The Mother of Nandi Bari does not accept animal sacrifice. She is revered as the Jagat Janani — the Mother of all living beings.

Pushpanjali Mantra

Namah Kali Kali Mahakali Kalike Papaharini
Dharmakamaprade Devi Narayani Namostute

Mahishaghni Mahamaye Chamunde Mundamalini
Ayurarogya Vijayam Dehi Devi Namostute

Esha Sachandana Gandhapushpa Bilvapatranjali
Shrimad Dakshina Kalikayai Namah

Conclusion of the Puja

At dawn, as the birds begin to call, doi-chira (curd and flattened rice) is offered to the Goddess. With the immersion of the ritual ghat, the sacred worship comes to an end.

Later in the evening or at night, the idol of the Goddess is immersed in the nearby river. With a heavy heart the devotees bid farewell to the Mother, and once again begins the long wait of an entire year for her return.

Location: India

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