Kali is the Hindu goddess associated with eternal energy. 'She who destroys'.The name Kali comes from kala; which means black; time; death; lord of death; Shiva. Kali means 'the black one'. Since Shiva is called Kala - the eternal time; Kali; his consort; also means 'Time' or 'Death' (as in time has come). Hence; Kali is considered the goddess of time and change.

Although sometimes presented as dark and violent; her earliest incarnation as a figure of annihilation still has some influence. Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies; as well as Shakta Tantric beliefs; worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').

Kali is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva; on whose body she is often seen standing. She is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga; Bhadrakali; Sati; Rudrani; Parvati and Chamunda. She is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas; ten fierce Tantric goddesses.