In the Tantra Purana, the goddess Kali is described in many forms. According to the Toral Tantra, Kali has nine manifestations: Dakshina Kali, Krishna Kali, Siddha Kali, Shri Kali, Bhadra Kali, Chamunda Kali, Smashan Kali, Maha Kali, and Akali.
In the Mahakala Samhita, under the section called Anusmriti
Prakarana, there is also mention of these nine forms of Kali. There too, the
nature of Akali —or Guhya Kali—is explained.
According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, she is one of the
great powers (Mahashakti) who emerged from the body of the goddess Shatakshi.
Some spiritual practitioners worship Kali in this form, though for
householders, this form of the goddess remains concealed.
The form of Akali is extremely terrifying. She holds a snake
and a sword in her two hands. Her complexion is like a dark cloud. Around her
neck hangs a garland of fifty human heads. She wears a short black garment
around her waist. Across her shoulder lies a sacred thread made of serpents; on
her head are matted locks and a crescent moon; in her ears are ornaments made
of corpses.
Serpents with raised hoods surround the goddess on all
sides. To her left stands Shiva.
It is said that she consumes human flesh.
This Akali is, in essence, an extremely fierce
manifestation. And for that reason, householders are not permitted to worship
her.
According to the Puranas, a deity once slew a demon named
Daruka. Afterward, the deity entered the body of Maheshwara (Shiva), and by the
poison that stained Shiva’s throat blue, this deity took on a dark hue.
Thus, she is known as the Poison-Bearer, the Fierce Chandi.
Hence, her worship and meditation are highly difficult. It is said that the
sage Bamdev practiced devotion to this goddess, though attaining perfection in
such worship is exceedingly rare.
In the village of Akalipur in Birbhum district, near the cremation ground on the banks of the Brahmani River, Maharaja Nandakumar built a temple dedicated to Akali.