Kali Mata

The most famous story of Kali Mata is connected to the battle between Goddess Durga and the demons.

Long ago, the cruel demons Shumbha, Nishumbha, Chanda, and Munda spread terror across the three worlds. The gods were defeated by them and went to Goddess Durga for refuge. Then Goddess Durga assumed her fierce form for battle. From the anger on her forehead, a dark divine power emerged — that was Kali Mata. Kali Mata’s form was extremely terrifying — dark complexion, loose hair, a garland of severed heads around her neck, and weapons like a sword and trident in her hands. As soon as she entered the battlefield, she began destroying the demons. First, she killed the demons Chanda and Munda. Because of this, she was also called "Chamunda".

After that, a demon named Raktabeej arrived. He had a boon that every drop of his blood falling on the ground would create another demon. Kali Mata spread her giant tongue and drank his blood before it could touch the earth, thus ending him.

After the battle, Kali Mata’s anger did not calm down. She began performing a destructive dance, putting the whole world in danger. Then Lord Shiva lay down in her path. When Kali Mata’s foot touched Shiva’s chest, she came to her senses and her anger was pacified. That is why Kali Mata is often shown standing upon Lord Shiva in her idols.