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The story, deeply rooted in the Krittivasi Ramayana—the Bengali version of the Ramayana—highlights the extraordinary encounter between Goddess Kali and Hanuman during the Mahiravana episode, where Goddess Kali asks Hanuman to become her vahana.
Characters in the story:
Hanuman: Hanuman is a revered deity in Hinduism, known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his incredible strength, symbolizing courage, loyalty, and selflessness.
Ma Kali: Ma Kali is a goddess known for her fierce form and association with destruction, time, and the power of femininity. She is often depicted with a dark complexion, multiple arms, and a necklace of skulls.
Mahiravana (Ahiravana): Ahiravana is a character in Hindu scriptures, known as the demon king and who kidnaps Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana and takes them to the underworld during the epic tale of Ramayana. rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.
Panchmukhi Hanuman: Panchmukhi Hanuman is depicted as Lord Hanuman with five faces, representing the powerful forms of Lord Hanuman, namely Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva.

In Bengal, there’s a unique belief that Hanuman serves as the vahana or vehicle for Goddess Kali. This idea stems from a Bengali version of the Ramayana, called the Krittivasi Ramayana. It includes a notable story where Goddess Kali and Hanuman’s paths cross during the Mahiravana episode.
Here’s how the story unfolds: After Laxmana manages to defeat and kill Indrajit, Ravana’s son, Ravana seeks assistance from his brother Mahiravana, the ruler of the underworld, Patala. Mahiravana, possessing the power of illusion, kidnaps Lord Ram and Lakshman while they are sleeping, intending to offer their heads to Goddess Kali.
With guidance from Vibhishan, Ravana’s brother, Hanuman heads to Mahiravana’s abode. At Patala’s entrance, he encounters a strange guardian with half-monkey, half-reptile features named Makardhwaja, who claims to be Hanuman’s son. Hanuman is puzzled since he has always lived a celibate life. Makardhwaja explains that he was born when a drop of Hanuman’s semen accidentally landed in a crocodile’s mouth as Hanuman leaped across the ocean.
Armed with this revelation, Hanuman sets off to rescue Rama and Lakshman. He fights Makardhwaja, wins, and moves further into Patala. There, he confronts Mahiravana and his vast army. However, Chandrasena, a friend, shares a crucial secret: Mahiravana’s life is tied to five candles in different directions, and to defeat him, all must be extinguished simultaneously.
Transforming into the mighty five-faced Panchmukhi Hanuman, Hanuman extinguishes all the candles together, killing Mahiravana. He then revives Rama and Lakshman and beheads Mahiravana, offering Mahiravana’s head to Goddess Kali as a sacrifice.
Impressed by Hanuman’s devotion and bravery, Goddess Kali asks him to become her guardian after the era of Lord Rama ends. Since Hanuman is immortal, he now protects Goddess Kali’s temples on earth. And that’s why, in the era known as Kali Yuga, Hanuman is regarded as Goddess Kali’s vehicle and the protector of her followers.
In the end, Hanuman’s unwavering devotion and valor not only lead to the salvation of Lord Ram and Lakshman but also earn him the esteemed role of being the vahana for Goddess Kali. This tale cements Hanuman’s place as a guardian of the divine, spanning the ages into the Kali Yuga.
