Fire, Food and a Goddess

Kali Prayer and Food Offering

A truck with “Jai Maa Kali” written on it. This means: All Hail The Goddess Mother Kali” – Photo by the author.

Today is Kali Puja. Maa Kali is celebrated for slaying the demon Raktabeeja, who would create clones from every drop of his spilled blood.

The pandal/temporary temple of Goddess Kali, currently veiled, with a decoration in front of it. Author’s photo.

The white decoration is made from powdered rice. The powdered rice drawing, called a kolam/alpana/rangoli invokes blessings and “feeds small insects, it’s their festival, too”. At least, that’s the reasoning my grandma gave me for “why do we waste rice, why can’t we draw with paint or chalk?”

The prayers are yet to start. It is still afternoon and the goddess in her pandal(temporary temple) is still veiled.

Two fires, giant cooking pots, and a fellow literally stirring the pot. Author’s photo.

Cooks are busy cooking the bhog (prayer offering) of lentils and rice, called khichdi, for the evening meal.

Looks like the khichdi is done! The cooks heave the pot off the fire and one starts to stir the pot on the floor. Author’s photo.

The smallest container holds brown date chutney, and the medium-sized one has cream-colored rice…