Mahakali Aarti
महाकाली आरती
Aarti of Mahakali — supreme dark goddess, first of the Dasha Mahavidyas, destroyer of time itself. Worshipped on Diwali night in Bengal as Kali Puja, and continuously at the Mahakali shrine of Ujjain. Distinct from the household Kali aarti — addresses her cosmic time-destroying aspect.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
जय महाकाली माता, जय जय महाकाली माता।
काल भी जिनसे डरे, ऐसी काली माता॥
श्याम वर्ण घनघोर तन, मुण्डमाल कण्ठ शोहे।
खड्ग खप्पर हस्त लिए, त्रिभुवन जन मोहे॥
शव पर तुम चरण धरे, जिह्वा बाहर निकाली।
रक्त बीज को मारा माँ, असुर सेना सब काली॥
दश महाविद्या में प्रथमा, कालिका तुम कहलाई।
ब्रह्म स्वरूपा शक्ति, जग जननी कही गई॥
दीवाली की रात्रि में, बंगाल में पूजा।
उज्जैन में महाकाली, मन्दिर अति प्यारा॥
English Transliteration
Jai Mahakali Mata, jai jai Mahakali Mata
Kaal bhi jinse dare, aisi kaali maata
Shyam varn ghanghor tan, mundmaal kanth shohe
Khadg khappar hast liye, tribhuvan jan mohe
Shav par tum charan dhare, jihva baahar nikaali
Rakt beej ko maara maa, asur sena sab kaali
Dash mahaavidya mein prathama, Kaalika tum kahalaai
Brahm swaroopa shakti, jag janani kahi gayi
Diwali ki raatri mein, Bangaal mein pooja
Ujjain mein Mahakali, mandir ati pyaara
Meaning
Victory to Mother Mahakali. Even Time itself fears her — such is Mother Kali. Dark-hued, of dense and terrible form, the garland of severed heads gracing her neck. Sword and skull-bowl in her hands, she enchants all three worlds. Your feet rest upon a corpse, your tongue extended outward. You slew Raktabija; the entire demon army you destroyed. First among the Ten Mahavidyas — you are called Kalika. The very form of Brahman, the supreme Shakti, called Mother of the World. On the night of Diwali you are worshipped in Bengal; at Ujjain your Mahakali temple is supremely beloved.
Book a related puja
Pujas where this aarti is traditionally sung.