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Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
The Royal Palace supposedly dates back to the Licchavi period (5th-13th century), but, with the exception of a few inscriptions, there is little substantial evidence for this. In the earliest inscription, which hails from the year 643 CE and which was found at the Keshav Narayan Chowk, Licchavi King Narendra Deva announced the abolition of three types of taxes, presumably making him popular with his subjects. This indicates that there may at the time have been a palace at the site of Keshav Narayan Chowk, which is part of the present royal palace complex.<br/><br/> The royal palace as seen today in Durbar Square has its origins in the 14th century; however, the most active building period was the 17th century.
The Kumari Bahal is the residence of the so-called 'Living Goddess'. The building was erected about 1760-62 by King Jayaprakasha Malla in order to accommodate the Kumari Devi, or 'Virgin Goddess', supposed to be the living incarnation of goddess Taleju.<br/><br/> Designed more like a house than a temple, the Kumari Bahal is built around a central courtyard, called Kumari Chowk, the 'Courtyard of the Kumari'. The most notable feature of the building is its wooden windows, expertly carved with a profusion of ornaments and deities.<br/><br/> Each day in the afternoon, large crowds gather in the courtyard to witness the Kumari’s short appearance at her window, accompanied by a female guardian or priestess.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
The Goddess Durga, fighting Mahishasura, the buffalo-demon (Hindu Mythology). In the clouds the Devas or celestial beings are seen watching the event. The story is recorded in the Devi Mahatmya and the Devi Bhagavata and is the background for Durgapuja, the annual Hindu festival each autumn.<br/><br/> In Hinduism, Durga is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eight arms, riding a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and a lotus flower, maintaining a meditative smile, and practicing mudras, or symbolic hand gestures.<br/><br/> An embodiment of creative feminine force (Shakti), Durga exists in a state of svātantrya (independence from the universe and anything/anybody else) and fierce compassion. Kali is considered by Hindus to be an aspect of Durga. She is thus considered the fiercer, demon-fighting form of Shiva's wife, goddess Parvati. Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humour, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion.<br/><br/> At the Durga Puja festival, Durga is celebrated as the mother of Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
The towering Taleju Temple was constructed in its present form by Mahendra Malla in 1559 to house the Mallas’ family goddess Taleju Bhavani, a manifestation of the ferocious Kali or Durga. Unusually, there is no image or statue of her in the main shrine; instead she is represented by a yantra, a magical diagram.<br/><br/> The temple reaches a height of 35 metres, making it the highest temple in the Kathmandu Valley. Such height was necessary in order to enable Taleju to 'communicate spiritually' with another Taleju temple in Bhaktapur, which was located at a slightly higher elevation. Aside from its unusual height, the temple was given a unique design, with a five-tiered base covered by a three-tiered, richly ornamented roof.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
The tax records of Mughal Emperor Akbar (1584–1598) as well as the work of a 15th century Bengali poet, Bipradaas, both mention a settlement named Kalikata (thought to mean ‘Steps of Kali’ for the Hindu goddess Kali) from which the name Calcutta is believed to derive.<br/><br/> In 1690 Job Charnock, an agent of the East India Company, founded the first modern settlement in this location. In 1698 the company purchased the three villages of Sutanuti, Kolikata and Gobindapur. In 1727 the Calcutta Municipal Corporation was formed and the city’s first mayor was appointed.<br/><br/> In 1756 the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, seized Calcutta and renamed the city Alinagar. He lost control of the city within a year and Calcutta was transferred back to British control. In 1772 Calcutta became the capital of British India on the orders of Governor Warren Hastings.<br/><br/> In 1912 the capital was transferred to New Delhi while Calcutta remained the capital of Bengal. Since independence and partition it has remained the capital and chief city of Indian West Bengal.
Thillai Natarajah Temple, Chidambaram or Chidambaram temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple as it stands now is mainly of the 12th and 13th centuries CE, with later additions in similar style.
Thillai Natarajah Temple, Chidambaram or Chidambaram temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple as it stands now is mainly of the 12th and 13th centuries CE, with later additions in similar style.
Thillai Natarajah Temple, Chidambaram or Chidambaram temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple as it stands now is mainly of the 12th and 13th centuries CE, with later additions in similar style.
Vajrayoginī (Sanskrit: Vajrayoginī; Tibetan: Dorje Naljorma, Wylie: Rdo rje rnal ’byor ma; Mongolian: Огторгуйд Одогч, Нархажид, Chinese: 瑜伽空行母 Yújiā kōngxíngmǔ) is the Vajra yoginī, literally 'the diamond female yogi'.<br/><br/> She is a Highest Yoga Tantra Yidam (Skt. Iṣṭha-deva), and her practice includes methods for preventing ordinary death, intermediate state (bardo) and rebirth (by transforming them into paths to enlightenment), and for transforming all mundane daily experiences into higher spiritual paths.<br/><br/> Vajrayoginī is a generic female yidam and although she is sometimes visualized as simply Vajrayoginī, in a collection of her sādhanas she is visualized in an alternate form in over two thirds of the practices. Her other forms include Vajravārāhī (Tibetan: Dorje Pakmo, Wylie: rdo-rje phag-mo; English: the Vajra Sow) and Krodikali (alt. Krodhakali, Kālikā, Krodheśvarī, Krishna Krodhini, Sanskrit; Tibetan:Troma Nagmo; Wylie:khros ma nag mo; English: 'the Wrathful Lady' or 'the Fierce Black One' ).<br/><br/> Vajrayoginī is a ḍākiṇī and a Vajrayāna Buddhist meditation deity. As such she is considered to be a female Buddha.
Durga (Hindustani pronunciation: [d̪uːrgaː]; Sanskrit: दुर्गा); meaning 'the inaccessible' or 'the invincible') is a popular fierce form of the Hindu Goddess or Devi. She is depicted with multiple (variously, up to ten) arms, carrying various weapons and riding a ferocious lion or tiger. She is often pictured as battling or slaying demons, particularly Mahishasura, the buffalo demon.<br/><br/> For the Goddess-worshipping Shaktas, Durga is sometimes equated with Mahadevi, the Supreme Goddess. Her triumph as Mahishasura Mardini, Slayer of the buffalo Demon is a central episode of the scripture Devi Mahatmya. Her victory is celebrated annually in the festivals of Navaratri and Durga Puja.
Durga (Hindustani pronunciation: [d̪uːrgaː]; Sanskrit: दुर्गा); meaning 'the inaccessible' or 'the invincible') is a popular fierce form of the Hindu Goddess or Devi. She is depicted with multiple (variously, up to ten) arms, carrying various weapons and riding a ferocious lion or tiger. She is often pictured as battling or slaying demons, particularly Mahishasura, the buffalo demon.<br/><br/> For the Goddess-worshipping Shaktas, Durga is sometimes equated with Mahadevi, the Supreme Goddess. Her triumph as Mahishasura Mardini, Slayer of the buffalo Demon is a central episode of the scripture Devi Mahatmya. Her victory is celebrated annually in the festivals of Navaratri and Durga Puja.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
The Goddess Durga, fighting Mahishasura, the buffalo-demon (Hindu Mythology). In the clouds the Devas or celestial beings are seen watching the event. The story is recorded in the Devi Mahatmya and the Devi Bhagavata and is the background for Durgapuja, the annual Hindu festival each autumn.<br/><br/> In Hinduism, Durga is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eight arms, riding a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and a lotus flower, maintaining a meditative smile, and practicing mudras, or symbolic hand gestures.<br/><br/> An embodiment of creative feminine force (Shakti), Durga exists in a state of svātantrya (independence from the universe and anything/anybody else) and fierce compassion. Kali is considered by Hindus to be an aspect of Durga. She is thus considered the fiercer, demon-fighting form of Shiva's wife, goddess Parvati. Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humour, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion.<br/><br/> At the Durga Puja festival, Durga is celebrated as the mother of Ganesha, Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
'Thugs' (literally 'thag', or practitioners of 'thaggi') deceived and strangled travellers: painting by an Indian artist, for Captain James Paton, Assistant to the Resident at Lucknow, 1829-1840.<br/><br/> Thuggee (from Hindi ṭhag ‘thief’, verb, thugna, to deceive, from Sanskrit sthaga ‘cunning’, ‘sly’, ‘fraudulent’, ‘dishonest’, ‘scoundrel') is the term for a particular kind of murder and robbery of travellers in South Asia and particularly in India.<br/><br/> Thuggee trace their origin to the battle of Kali against Raktabija; however, their foundation myth departs from Brahminical versions of the Puranas. Thuggee consider themselves to be children of Kali, created out of her sweat. This is similar to the way Kali was created from aggression and willingness to fight Durga.<br/><br/> According to some sources, especially old colonial sources, Thuggee believe they have a positive role, saving humans' lives. Without Thuggee's sacred service, Kali might destroy all human kind.
A Batavia market is in full swing in the shade of the coconut palm trees. Traders from Java, China, Bengal and Europe are depicted trading with locals. In the background is the fortfified Batavia Castle, the Asian headquarters of the Dutch East India Company. Through the centre flows the Ciliwung, also known as Kali Besar ('Great River').<br/><br/> The Dutch East India Company, or VOC, was a chartered company granted a monopoly by the Dutch government to carry out colonial activities in Asia. It was the first multinational corporation in the world and the first company to issue stock. It was also arguably the world's first megacorporation, possessing quasi-governmental powers, including the ability to wage war, imprison and execute convicts, negotiate treaties, coin money and establish colonies.<br/><br/> The VOC was set up in 1602 to gain a foothold in the East Indies (Indonesia) for the Dutch in the lucrative spice trade, which until that point was dominated by the Portuguese.<br/><br/> Between 1602 and 1796, the VOC sent almost a million Europeans to work in the Asia trade on 4,785 ships, and netted more than 2.5 million tons of Asian trade goods.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.
Kālī is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence, Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.<br/><br/> Although sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').<br/><br/> Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Bhadrakali, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas, ten fierce Tantric goddesses.