Why do some Hindus celebrate Goddess Kali on Diwali?

[Sirona]

Namaste,

I don't want to spark controversy, I'm just curious.

According to my Hare Krishna calendar, Diwali and Kali Puja fall on the same day. I don't understand the motivation for celebrating "Light" and "Darkness" on the very same day. To me this seems counterintuitive, and I'm curious about the answers.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[sayak83]

Namaste,

I don't want to spark controversy, I'm just curious.

According to my Hare Krishna calendar, Diwali and Kali Puja fall on the same day. I don't understand the motivation for celebrating "Light" and "Darkness" on the very same day. To me this seems counterintuitive, and I'm curious about the answers.

Thanks for your replies.

Goddess Kali does not represent darkness any more than Krishna represents darkness because his complexion is black. Kali is the destroyer of darkness and is considered the most ferocious form of the Devi to counter the darkest or all darkness and ignorance. So she only manifests when darkness and ignorance has enveloped everything and she is needed to break its grip in the world and within the mind. Hence she is worshipped on the midnight of a new moon day on the month after the autumn equinox (usually end October or early November) when the duration of night hours begin to exceed the duration of day hours.

 

[SomeRandom]

Namaste,

I don't want to spark controversy, I'm just curious.

According to my Hare Krishna calendar, Diwali and Kali Puja fall on the same day. I don't understand the motivation for celebrating "Light" and "Darkness" on the very same day. To me this seems counterintuitive, and I'm curious about the answers.

Thanks for your replies.

I think the honest answer is, just because their sect celebrates Ma Kali on those days.
Don’t get me wrong, even in my prayers to Ma Kali I freely and purposefully acknowledge Mata Lakshmi, because it is the new year and I wish to have prosperity for myself and my family.
I prayed earnestly to Lord Ram and Ma Sita. Indeed I celebrated Lord Krishna’s defeat of evil. Because that is what Diwali is about, is it not?
Celebrating good triumphing over evil, no matter what form you identify with. Mata Kali, Lord Ram, Lord Krishna or indeed any combination you see fit.
And I identify strongly with Ma Kali. Because she is the destroyer of evil, the destruction of the dark. All throughout Diwali we try our best to ward off evil. Ma Kali destroys that evil. Should we not celebrate her?
Some people just have differing traditions. I suspect they come primarily from the Shakti Sect.
Do forgive me if I’m wrong

 

[ajay0]

Kali is the destroyer of darkness and is considered the most ferocious form of the Devi to counter the darkest or all darkness and ignorance. So she only manifests when darkness and ignorance has enveloped everything and she is needed to break its grip in the world and within the mind. Hence she is worshipped on the midnight of a new moon day on the month after the autumn equinox (usually end October or early November) when the duration of night hours begin to exceed the duration of day hours.

Yes, I have read that Kali represents the guna of Rajas, charecterised by energy and activity. It is said that Tamas must first be overcome by Rajas, before being replaced by Sattva . Rajas is considered superior to tamas, though it is inferior to Sattva.

For example, one may wake up early morning for Brahmamuhurtham (4:00 - 6:00 AM ) meditation. But the drowsiness of sleep may prevent one from properly meditating, and one might sleep instead.

Hence it is often recommended to take a walk, drink tea, or take a bath after waking up, so as to get rid of tamasic drowsiness and lethargy, and replace it with rajasic energy and activity. This sets the foundation for getting to sattva through meditation.