Mahakali River
The story of how Mahakali appeared when Sita fought Ahiravan after his taunt, and became the Mahakali River.
Mahakali River
After the conquest of Lanka, the marvellous valour of Shri Rama was being praised in the royal court of Ayodhya. Hearing everyone's words, Mother Sita smiled quietly to herself.
When Shri Rama asked the reason for her smile, Sita said humbly: "It is not fitting to be proud merely of killing the ten-headed Ravan, for Ahiravan, who has a thousand heads, is still alive."
Hearing Sita's words, Shri Rama boarded the Pushpak chariot with his army and Sita and went to do battle with Ahiravan.
In the battle, Shri Rama fell unconscious on the field of war from the fierce strike of Ahiravan's magical divine weapon. Seeing her husband in such a state, Mother Sita assumed a fiercely wrathful form and became Mahakali herself.
With her thousands of yoginis, Mahakali destroyed Ahiravan's entire demon army, and leaping upon Ahiravan's chest, she cut off all his thousand heads in a single stroke.
After winning the battle, the furious tandava dance of the battle-intoxicated Mahakali began to shake the whole universe and created a state of cosmic dissolution. Then, to save the world, Lord Shiva himself lay down prostrate in Mahakali's path.
As soon as her foot touched Shiva's chest, Mahakali was ashamed and grew calm. Shri Rama too regained consciousness. Later, Mahakali appeared as the sacred 'Mahakali' River, flowing with tremendous force from the Mansarovar lake of the Himalaya.
Note: These are traditional Nepali folk tales (kimbadanti), passed down orally through generations. They may or may not reflect actual historical events, but they are told and believed as part of Nepal's cultural heritage.
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