Of Her countless forms one She chooses to be is the form Shmshan Kalika or Shamshan Kalika. Shamshan means crematorium or cremation ground. She is the Goddess of the crematorium. Cremation ground is considered to be a sacred place in Hinduism and Shmshan Kalika chooses to protect it. Shmshan also signifies the end of the journey called life that resides in this body. It throws light on the perishable and impermanent nature of this body which when time comes goes back to the five elements. It is here that Shmshan Kalika waits for one to merge in Her and complete the safari from finite to infinite before She sends one to be born again and redo the trip. Some, however, She chooses to keep with Her, forever in Her lap, free from the clutches of birth and death. Such few find a permanent resting place at the Lotus Feet of Shmshan Kalika.

Salutations to the One who prefers to be Shamshan Kalika!