A flood of countless devotees surrounds her. Flames blaze high. Amid the sea of people, even she herself seems to dance — Bama Kali, the main attraction of Santipur in Bengal. The special feature of this idol is that her left foot rests on Shiva’s chest, and that is where the name “Bamakali” (Left-footed Kali) comes from. Santipur Kali Puja 2026 date is November 8.
The breathtaking sight of her procession during Kali puja
before immersion sends shivers down the spines of spectators.
Devotees carry the idol of the goddess on their shoulders,
placed on a bamboo platform. Behind them follows an endless stream of more
devotees. Even with the heavy idol on their shoulders, they jump and dance with
unrestrained devotion. Watching them, it seems as if the goddess herself is
dancing among them.
Famous Bamakali Dance
For the people of Shantipur, this is a familiar sight. But
what is the story behind it? Why is the goddess made to “dance” before
immersion?
According to local tradition, the goddess herself once
revealed — through divine possession — that two ancient and popular forms of
Kali in Santipur, Siddheshwari and Chanduni, are her close friends.
And what happens if two friends meet during a city
procession? Naturally, a wave of joy spreads all around — and in earlier times,
that joy was expressed through dance.
When the procession passes the temple of her “friend”
goddess, Bama Kali is made to dance, facing the other deity.
It is said that she even dances before Bombat Kali, the very
deity from whom this form of Bama Kali originated — as if she were dancing
before her own reflection. Thus, this tradition was born.
Even after centuries, Santipur continues to uphold this
ritual with devotion and pride.
After the offering rituals (Anjali) are complete, the idol
is taken out of the pavilion — marking the beginning of immersion preparations.
As the procession moves toward the riverbank for immersion,
the dance continues all the way.
In Santipur, however, the worship of the goddess doesn’t
continue for four or five days. Instead, the preparations for immersion begin
the very next day after the puja.