In Kolkata though there is Kali Puja, and its a celebration that dates from at the earliest the late 17th century but has found a foothold in eastern India and Bengal. Its idea is the same, of good over evil, but it centers on the Goddess Kali. There are Kali shrines set up al over Kolkata and people give ovefferings of of red hibiscus flowers, animal blood in a skull, sweets, rice and lentils, fish and meat.
The shrines with Kali are later broken down and brought to the Ganges to be thrown in the water for a sense of cleansing and rebirth.Goddess Kali is a destroyer of evil forces. She had a necklace of heads of those she had slain and stands on Shiva below her feet. She is an awesome power and the worlds would have fallen into the hands of dark powers if it wasn't for her.
So we wandered out at night and took in the sites and went to two different Kali temples and saw many of the shrines built for the festival.