Quick Reference Card
| Date | August 12(Shrawan month) |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Observance | Goddess worship puja |
| Celebrated in | Gorakhkali temples, throughout Nepal |
| Observing Communities | Hindu devotees, Shakti worshippers |
| Type of Event | Religious festival |
| Purpose of Event | To worship Goddess Gorakhkali, seek her protection and blessings, and honor the divine feminine Shakti principle |
| Holiday Status | No (Not a public holiday) |
| First Observed in | Ancient Nepal tradition |
Quick Fact: Goddess Gorakhkali is a fierce manifestation of Kali associated with the Gorakhnath tradition in Nepal. Her name combines "Gorakh" (from Gorakhnath) with "Kali" (the fierce goddess), representing the union of yogic power with divine feminine force. This unique deity is particularly venerated in Nepal's Gorkha district, which bears the name of Gorakhnath himself.
Gorakhkali Puja is a significant religious observance dedicated to Goddess Gorakhkali, a powerful manifestation of the divine feminine Kali that is uniquely associated with Nepal's Gorakhnath tradition. This puja is observed during the sacred Shrawan month (July-August), which is itself dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Shakti goddesses, making it a particularly auspicious time for goddess worship in Nepal's Shaivite and Shakta communities.
History and Background
Gorakhkali represents the fierce, protective aspect of the divine feminine that emerged from the spiritual lineage associated with Guru Gorakhnath, the great medieval yogi for whom Nepal's Gorkha district is named. The goddess combines the tantric power of Kali (the goddess of time, death, and transformation) with the yogic energy of the Gorakhnath tradition, creating a uniquely Nepali manifestation of Shakti worship. Her temples in Nepal's Gorkha region and Kathmandu Valley are important pilgrimage sites, particularly during the Shrawan month when devotees seek her protection and blessings for themselves and their families.
Purpose of Gorakhkali Puja
This puja is performed to:
Seek the protection and blessings of Goddess Gorakhkali for devotees and their families.
Worship the divine feminine power (Shakti) in her fierce protective manifestation.
Acknowledge the fierce protector aspect of the goddess who destroys negative forces.
Obtain spiritual and material prosperity through the goddess's divine grace.
How is Gorakhkali Puja Observed?
The puja is celebrated with devotional rituals:
Special pujas are performed at Gorakhkali temples across Nepal with full ritual protocols.
Ritual offerings including flowers, incense, red cloth, and devotional items are presented to the goddess.
Meditation and prayer sessions are conducted to connect with the goddess's protective energy.
Lamps and incense are lit at home shrines and goddess temples throughout the day.
Blessed food (prasad) is distributed to devotees and community members.
Community gatherings and celebrations honor the goddess and strengthen community bonds.
Importance of Gorakhkali Puja
This puja holds significance because:
It is a significant Shakti worship observance honoring the divine feminine principle in Nepal.
The goddess's fierce aspect is believed to protect devotees from negative spiritual forces.
It is celebrated in Nepal's traditional communities as a living expression of Shakta devotion.
It emphasizes the divine feminine power as protector, sustainer, and transformer of the world.
It holds special importance for spiritual well-being and protection in difficult times.
Gorakhkali Puja is a vibrant expression of Nepal's living Shakta tradition, the worship of divine feminine power as the ultimate protector and transformer. By honoring Goddess Gorakhkali during the sacred Shrawan month, devotees affirm their relationship with the fierce maternal power that stands between them and the forces of darkness, seeking her blessing and protection for themselves, their families, and their communities.