Kali, also known as Kalika, is a major goddess in Hinduism who is primarily associated with time, death, and destruction. She is considered one of the most famous among the numerous Hindu goddesses and serves as a central figure in Shaivism and various goddess-centric sects.
In religious practice, Kali is the preeminent deity in the Kalikula worship traditions and Hindu tantric traditions. She is worshipped chiefly as the Divine Mother, the Mother of the Universe, and the embodiment of divine feminine energy. Additionally, she is connected with transcendental knowledge and is recognized as the first of the ten Mahavidyas, which are goddesses who provide liberating knowledge.