Kalika

Kalika is a term with multiple uses in Hindu culture and South Asian geography. In Hindu tradition, Kalika refers to a form of the goddess Kali, sometimes called Kalika Mata. The name derives from Sanskrit kalikā, linked to time (kāla) and darkness, and it is associated with fierce energy, protection, and transformation within certain rituals. Kalika is particularly venerated in Nepal and parts of India, where temples and shrines are dedicated to her and her cult is observed within Śakta and Tantric practices alongside other forms of Kali and Durga.

Geography and toponymy: Kalika is the name of several villages and localities in Nepal and India. In many cases, the place name reflects local devotion to the goddess Kalika or the broader association with the dark goddess.

Literature and culture: The Kalika Purana is a notable Sanskrit text dedicated to the goddess Kalika, describing her origins, worship practices, and regional cults, with influence in Nepal and eastern India. Beyond religious contexts, Kalika is used as a female given name in Nepal, India, and among South Asian communities abroad, sometimes transliterated as Kalikka or Kalikaa.