Forms of Goddess Kali set the nature of the Ten Mahavidyas as a complete group and these individual Mahavidyas clearly reflect the character of Goddess Kali. Kali"s violent form is strewed with amazing symbols. Her black complexion symbolizes her all-embracing and transcendental nature. In Tantrism, Goddess Kali is considered as the ultimate reality and symbolizes the complete awakened consciousness.

Kali is the fearful and ferocious form of the Mother Goddess. She is portrayed as having born from the brow of Goddess Durga during one of her battles with the demons. According to the legend, while fighting, Kali became so much involved in the killing and slaying that she began destroying everything in sight. Hence to prevent her, Lord Shiva threw himself under her feet. Stunned at this sight, Kali stuck out her tongue in and put an end to her homicidal rampage. Thus the common image of Kali shows her in her conflicting mood, standing with one foot on Shiva"s chest, with her enormous tongue stuck out.

Different Forms of Goddess Kali
Goddess Kali"s appearances and names are diverse. Every forms of Goddess Kali have some significance. Shyama, Adya Maa, Bhadra Kali, Samshan Kali, Tara Maa and Dakshina Kali, Chamunda are the popular forms. Few of the popular forms have been described below:


•Dakshina Kali: One of the famous forms of Goddess Kali is "Dakshina Kali". The pose depicts Kali standing on the chest of Lord Shiva with her tongue out. Here, Kali has her right foot out and holds the sword in her left hand. Dakshina Kali Temple has important religious associations with Jagannath Temple and it is believed that Dakshina Kali is the guardian of the kitchen of Lord Jagannath.


•Samshan Kali: When Goddess Kali steps out her left foot and holds the sword in her right hand, she is known as "Samshan Kali". Here, she is the Goddess of the cremation ground. The terrible form of Samshan Kali is worshipped by the tantrics, who practise Tantrism. Samshan Kali is the most dangerous and powerful form of Goddess Kali.


•Maa Kali: This form is the most pleasing and calm form of Kali and is not associated with war or destruction. According to legend, at the time of Samudra Manthan when Amrit (nectar) came out along with poison, Lord Shiva drank the poison to save the world from being destroyed. But, Lord Shiva was very much in pain due to the poison. At this moment, Lord Shiva became a child and Maa Kali feed him with her milk which soothed out the effect of poison. This myth depicts Kali in her benevolent, maternal aspect.


•Maha Kali: Maha Kali is greater form of the Goddess Kali. She has been mentioned in Puranic and Tantric Hindu Scriptures and is depicted as Adi-Shakti or the Ultimate Reality. Maha Kali is depicted as Devi in her universal form as Shakti. Maha Kali is the warrior Mother who is battling against the hostile forces, against human imperfections, bondage and death. At the same time, she is all compassion for the sincere seekers.