In the Mother Goddess cult of Shaktism, Bhadrakali is a fierce form of Shakti, the Supreme Goddess, or Adi Parashakti, who is referred to in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Vaishnavism, she is a form of Yogamaya, the internal potency of the illusion of Lord Vishnu. Many Puranas claim that she is a form of Goddess Parvati.
In Kerala, devotees worship her as Bhagavati, Chamunda, Mahakali, Sree Kurumba, and Kariam Kali Murti. She is said to be the auspicious form of Mahakali, who protects the virtuous.
Bhadra means ‘auspicious’ in Sanskrit. There is another interpretation, where 'Bha' means ‘Maya’ (delusion) and 'dra' is a superlative ('the most/the greatest, etc.'). Thus, the name also means Maha Maya.
Maya denotes illusion. By worshipping Bhadrakali, one can be liberated from Maha Maya. This is symbolized by the chopped head in her hand. The head and the sickle mean that Bhadrakali bestows liberation from our ego (represented by the chopped head).
Her birthday is celebrated as Bhadrakali Jayanti on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha. The belief is that observing a fast and worshipping Bhadrakali on this day will destroy all sorrows. As per Hindu mythology, the Goddess appeared on this day with the hair of Lord Shiva after his wife Sati died.
Bhadrakali Jayanti is a major festival for Aryan Saraswat Brahmins. It is very famous in states like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Kashmir.
Bhadrakali Jayanti 2024 Date
In 2024, Bhadrakali Jayanti is on Sunday, 2nd June. It is also known as Bhadrakali Ekadashi. Ekadashi Tithi Begins: June 02, 2024 02:41 AM Ekadashi Tithi Ends: June 03, 2024 12:18 AM
The actual worship takes place at noon. Devotees recite many Mantras to please Goddess Bhadrakali and invoke her blessings. They also visit Kali temples in the evening and take part in the rituals.
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Iconography
Bhadrakali is portrayed with 3 eyes and 4, 16, or 18 hands. She holds several weapons, and flames flow from her head. A small tusk protrudes from her mouth. On her neck is a garland of skulls, and her tongue is stained red with blood. There is a crown on her head. In some depictions, she stands on Shiva, who is lying on the ground. People who follow the Tantric tradition of the Matrikas, as well as that of the Dasa Mahavidyas, worship her.
Bhadrakali has four main forms: Darikajit (slayer of the demon Darika), Dakshajit (killer of Daksha), Rurujit (killer of the demon Ruru), and Mahishajit (slayer of the demon Mahishasura).
Bhadrakali’s Attributes
Bhadrakali is a fierce and frightening goddess. She is brutal to people who indulge in Adharma. However, she shows her compassionate side to those who are virtuous. She also protects them from all harm, like a mother protecting her children.
Some Interesting Aspects of Bhadrakali
- The Rajputs were known to worship Bhadrakali before going to war.
- She is associated with black magic.
- Tamil people refer to her as Mahalaya Bhagavati or Mahalaya Bhadrakali, who protects devotees of all castes and religions.
- She is the guardian deity of Kalaripayattu (a martial arts form of Kerala) practitioners.Kalidasa supposedly became a famous poet due to her blessings.
- Emperor Vikramaditya and his brother Bhatti were among her ardent devotees. It is said that they owed their success to her grace.
Bhadrakali Jayanti Pooja Vidhi
On this day, devotees arise early in the morning and worship Bhadrakali.
- Wearing black or blue-colored clothes is auspicious on the day of Bhadrakali Jayanti.
- To worship the Goddess, sit facing the north direction in the Pooja room and place a wooden platform in front of you.
- Sprinkle some Ganga jal on the platform and spread a blue cloth on it.
- Place a statue of Durga or Bhadrakali on the platform.
- Bathe the idol with water, milk, sugar, honey, and ghee.
- It is also very auspicious to offer coconut water.
- Put a tilak of Kumkum on the idol.
- After the Pooja, recite Durga Kavach, Durga Chalisa, and Durga Aarti.
- Visit a Kali temple in the evening and take part in the rituals held there.
Bhadrakali Jayanti Importance
The greatness of Bhadrakali Jayanti finds mention in the Nilayam Purana. Worshiping Goddess Kali on this day helps one overcome all obstacles. It also helps eliminate planetary Doshas. It is very auspicious when Tuesday and Revathi Nakshatra coincide with Bhadrakali Jayanti. Kumbh Mela is also held on Bhadrakali Jayanti. Many famous temples of Goddess Bhadrakali are present in Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Benefits of Bhadrakali Jayanti
- It helps overcome hurdles in life.
- It offers protection from negative energies.
- It helps eliminate Graha Doshas.
- It can help realize 11 wishes, as the festival falls on Krishna Paksha Ekadasi.
- It bestows good health, good fortune, and success.
- It protects one from evil eyes and black magic.
- It brings relief from fatal diseases.
- It bestows Moksha and guides people toward the path of wisdom.
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