Kali at Marble Palace, the power to universal peace

The illustrious Mullick family of Marble Palace worships Kali as the cosmic cradle of peace and salvation

- SUDIPTO BASU

The end of autumn in India is essentially transitional. It is the season that is engulfed in the smoke and fog of the late evening firecrackers. Winter is still quite a long way away, yet the morning sun rays look sweetly radiant. It is that time on earth that is wrapped in the strength of mythical beliefs and ancient customs. It is Diwali, the auspicious hour of Ram, Lakshman, and Sita's homecoming to Ayodhya. It is the beginning of a brand new year for the business community, the day to start the accounts afresh with the blessings of Lakshmi and Ganesh. It is Dhanteras, the thirteenth day before a no-moon night to buy wealth in the form of any metal. It is also the day of Lord Dhanwantary, the deity of detoxification, Bhoot Chaturdashi, or the night of paying obeisance to forefathers in heaven, and finally, the time to bow before the dark mother Kali, the goddess of timeless time.

Bengal, which is often called Kali Shetra or the Seat of Kali, is dotted with sparkling power points of Kali's supernatural manifestations. There was a time in medieval India when Kali wouldn't be worshipped in homes. She was predominantly the fierce power to reckon with death and demolition, and found a place on the burning grounds. It took a divine dream for the sage Krishnananda Agambagish to establish the fearful Kali as the merciful mother who was accepted in her domesticated avatar by all and sundry, both in and out of the homes.

It has been a whopping 175 years of Kali worship at Kolkata's legendary Marble Palace since then.