Kali Ma

ORIGINS

Kali's name derives from the Sanskrit meaning 'she who is black' or 'she who is death', but she is also known as Chaturbhuja Kali, Chinnamastā, or Kaushika. ...

 

There are many traditions of how Kali came into existence. One of the most popular tells the story of the warrior Goddess Durga, who had ten arms each carrying a weapon and who rode a lion or tiger in battle, fought with Mahishasura (or Mahisa), the buffalo demon. During the battle, Durga became so enraged that her anger created Kali and she was brought forth through Durga's forehead, in the form of Kali.

 

Once born, the Black Goddess, ate any and all the demons that crossed her path and spit out their skulls. Kali Ma would string their skulls together and wear them on her neck.