Kali Puja in Varanasi

Kali Puja samagri list

• Image or idol of Maa Kali
• Red cloth for the altar
• Red hibiscus flowers and a garland
• Kalash with mango leaves and a coconut
• Sindoor, kumkum and akshat
• Mustard oil or ghee lamps with cotton wicks
• Incense sticks and dhoop
• Seasonal fruits and sweets for bhog
• Betel leaves and supari
• Camphor for aarti
• Ganga jal

The Pandit confirms the final list for your family's vidhi, and Pandit ji can arrange the samagri in Varanasi at an additional cost, agreed after discussion.

Kali Puja vidhi, step by step

1. 1Preparation of the altar. A clean altar is set with a red cloth, an image or idol of Maa Kali, a kalash and lamps. Red hibiscus flowers are kept ready.
2. 2Ganesh Pujan and sankalp. The puja begins with Ganesh Pujan, followed by a sankalp in the family's name, gotra and intention.
3. 3Avahan of the Goddess. Maa Kali is invoked with dhyana shlokas and Vedic and Tantric mantras according to the family's tradition.
4. 4Shodashopachara puja. Sixteen offerings are made, including water, vastra, sindoor, red flowers, a garland of hibiscus, incense, lamp and naivedya.
5. 5Stotra and mantra japa. Kali stotras are recited and mantra japa is performed, often with a rudraksha or other mala as per custom.
6. 6Bhog, aarti and pushpanjali. Bhog is offered, the family joins the aarti and offers flowers with a prayer for the protection of the household.