(; ;; ; ), also known as (,), is the
Hindu goddess associated with empowerment, or
shakti. She is the mighty aspect of the goddess
Durga. The name of Kali means black one and force of time, she is therefore called the Goddess of Time, Change, Power, Creation, Preservation, and Destruction. Her earliest appearance is that of a destroyer principally of evil forces. Various
Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shakta
Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or
Brahman; and recent devotional movements re-imagine Kali as a benevolent
mother goddess. She is often portrayed standing or dancing on her consort, the
Hindu god
Shiva, who lies calm and prostrate beneath her. Kali is worshipped by
Hindus throughout India but particularly South India, Bengal, and Assam.