Dakshinkali form of Goddess Kali is widely worshipped in eastern parts of India, especially in Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. In the Dakshinkali form, Goddess Kali is a loving mother and she protects her devotees and blesses them with the fulfillment of wishes. In the Daksihna Kali form, the right foot of goddess is resting on the chest of Shiva who is lying down.
Some of the fierce images of Goddess Kali has her left foot
stamping on the chest of Shiva. This form of Kali is known as Vamana Kali and
is not worshipped by householders.
Goddess Kali appeared from the forehead of Goddess Durga to annihilate
demons like Chanda, Munda and Raktabeeja. The anger of Kali did not subside and
She wanted to destroy the universe. To stop her rampage, Shiva lay down on the
battlefield so that Goddess would have to step on him. When she saw her consort
under her foot, Kali realized that she had gone too far. Filled with grief for
the damage she had done, her blood-red tongue hung from her mouth, calming her
down.
As per some Shakta school of thought, Shiva was so enamored by the power of Goddess Kali that she appeared on the battlefield to get her blessings and for this purpose he lied down on the battlefield.
Dakshinakali is a wish fulfilling deity as her two right
hands are usually depicted in gestures of blessing and giving of boons.
The popular belief is that Yama, the Hindu god of death, who
resides in the southern direction got scared of a south facing Goddess Kali. It
is said that he fled from the direction. So, the belief is that those who
worship Dakshinkali will have no fear of death. Thus, she is also propitiated for
good health.
During the annual Kali Puja, Dakshinkali image is widely
worshipped in Bengal, Jharkand and Odisha. Her right foot is seen resting on Shiva.
Dakshinakali Worship In Modern Times
The growing popularity of worship of a kind and motherly form
of Goddess Kali, Dakshinakali, in modern times is often attributed to Krishnananda
Agamavagisha. He was a noted Bengali leader of the 17th century and author of a
Tantra encyclopedia called Tantrasara.
Goddess Mahakali appeared to him in a dream and told him to
popularize her in a particular form that would appear to him the following day.
The next morning, he observed a young woman making cow dung patties. While
placing a patty on a wall, she stood in the alidha pose, with her right foot
forward. When she saw Krishnananda watching her, she was embarrassed and put
her tongue between her teeth.