The Divine Birthday of the great Goddess Kali,one of the aspect of the divine spouse of Lord Shiva falls on Posh Krishna Paksh Ashtami,locally known as Poh Gutpach Aethum.Mahakali has it's holy shrine located on the back side of Khanqaha-e -Moula,Fatehkadal area of downtown Srinagar.The holy sanctum is a vermillion smeared wall facing the river front of the Vitasta river.The stone paved river front is known as Kalighat or Mahakali Yarbal.The Goddess Kali is the Supreme energy responsible for the dissolution of the manifested world.The very word Kali has its origin in Kaal,meaning Time.SHE symbolically represents the infinite proportion of time,which is all destroying n all consuming.It is indicative of HER destructive n fearsome nature.She as such is highest manifestation of the divine n is worshipped as the Great Divine Mother as SHE restores stability n order of Dharma n righteousness in the world by slaying the evil doers and the demons.HER complexion is black as Kali represents the state where time,space n cause cease to exist.The black color is also an aspect of Nirguna,which is beyond all activities being transcendental in nature.HER four hands r indicative of multiple divine tasks,enormous energy,reassuring nature to grant boons to the devotees.In Kashmir Shaivism,Kali as Duvadeshkali assumes different divine n manifested roles as Srishti Kali,Samhar Kali,Rudra Kali,Mahakali,Yamakali,Mratiyukali n Bhaderkaali etc.Through these manifestations SHE enacts the divine play of creation,manifestation n destruction of this world from within Her own nature.Mahakali Jayanti is celebrated by cooking Taher n Charvan n performing pooja of the same.The pooja n sacrificial offering of it was made at the Kalighat Yarbal of Mahakali shrine , Srinagar before our exodus.The sacrificial offering also included an unwashed,undressed n uncooked sheep's liver in entirety having It's heart intact,which was cut into pieces by bare hands to be fed to the kites.A big festival used to be held there n devotees would make a beeline . Mahakali Jayanti used to be a big festival for the KP's living in the surrounding areas of Gadda Kocha,Zainakadal,Mahrajgunj n Alikadal areas of downtown Srinagar Their relatives would throng their homes for a hearty Taher Charvun feast.Regular Pooja performed by Pt Neelkant Ganjoo,resident of Zaindar Mohalla, Srinagar was a part of the daily routine at the said holy shrine Upto our exodus.

BY Upender Ambardar