10 Forms Of Goddess Kali

In Hinduism, Goddess Kali has been known as the destroyer of evil and the slayer of the demons who troubled her human devotees. But few know that she appeared to us in many forms. The image of Kali that we come across is fierce and full of rage.

There are 10 forms of Kali that are prescribed by the scriptures and popularly worshipped by the masses. They are also called the Dasha Mahavidya Kali or the sisterhood of Tantric goddesses.

Every avatar of the goddess Kali has some significance. Kali is also known as Adishakti or Kundalini Shakti which is the soul power or light that makes the Universe live but can also burn it.

We have listed nine spectacular forms of Kali. Have a look.

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1. Kali

This is the most famous form of the Goddess Kali; you could call it the core form. The story goes that when Kali was intoxicated by the blood of the demons, she stepped on Lord Shiva (who was lying with the corpses) her husband and stuck out her tongue out of fear due to this mistake. In this form, the dark mother can be facing South as Dakshina Kali. Maa Kali is also known as Chamunda as she had slayed the two notorious demons, Chanda and Munda. This violent form of the Goddess has blood flowing from her mouth. Hindu God Shiva stands by her side in silent admiration as she slays the demons.

2. Matangi Kali

She is the violent reincarnation of the Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati. Being a tantric Goddess she lives at the edges of the organised Hindu religion. The sparkling emerald green Goddess is offered half eater or stale food by the left hand (the impure hand). She is popularly called Chandalini. Goddess Matangi is never worshipped at home.

3. Chhinnamasta

This is by far the weirdest form of the Goddess you will come across. Chinna Masta means beheaded. This Kali avatar holds its own severed head and the head drinks the blood coming out of the stump of her throat. At her feet is a couple in the heat of passion. It symbolizes Death and Creation together.

4. Shamsana Kali

She is the divine Goddess who presides over the affairs of the crematorium. This form of Goddess Kali can be worshipped only in the Hindu Crematorium or Shamsana. She has no protruding tongue and strangely has just two hands. A very human projection.

5. Bagala Kali

This is a violent avatar of Kali and yet her beauty is arresting. She has a comparatively lighter complexion and is shown pulling out the tongues of the demons.

6. Bhairavi Kali

She is described as the harbinger of death in the scriptures and actually, she is only a Mother defending her children from the evils. She is mostly worshipped in Tripura.

7. Tara

The most distinct feature of this violent form of Kali is her light blue colour. She is often shown naked to the waist and then clad in tiger skin.

8. Shodoshi

In this form, Goddess Kali has been portrayed as the seductress. She is just an adolescent girl rising from the navel of Lord Shiva and the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishu and Maheshwar (Shiva) are paying their respect to her.

9. Kamala Kali

She is a tantric form of the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. Down South, this form of Goddess Kali is worshipped as 'Gaja Lakshmi' as she has two elephants by her side.

10. Dhumavati

This is an exceptional representation of the Goddess as a widow. She is probably the only widowed Goddess in Hindu mythology. This exceptional Goddess is considered the 'Smoke Goddess' or a spirit of smoke. She is represented as an antithesis of Lakshmi, who stands for all things- good and auspicious. When we pray to Dhumavati or Alakshmi, we are praying for her to go away from our homes.

Worshipped in many forms, Goddess Kali is a kind Goddess who is ready to help her devotees, if worshipped with utter devotion.