Six Of The Craziest And Most Terrifying Gods Ever Described

By All That's Interesting | Edited By John Kuroski
Published June 8, 2017
Updated February 21, 2024

Mythological Gods: Kali

Kali Craziest Gods

Wikimedia CommonsKali sculpture from Calcutta, 1913

Hindu: Goddess of Time and Change
Consort: Shiva

The Hindu goddess Kali is the ultimate embodiment of “I am woman, hear me roar.”

The mistress/wife of the god Shiva (who is usually rather calm and benevolent), she is known for her violent outbursts and is often illustrated standing on or trampling Shiva while wearing a skirt of human arms and severed heads.

The most famous Kali legend involves her slaying Raktabija — a demon who, when wounded, can reproduce from one drop of his own blood.

This special skill made him rather difficult for humans to destroy, so Kali was called upon to assist them.

She defeated Raktabija by drinking his blood and then devouring his body and along with all of his clones. She then danced manically in celebration, trampling the dead bodies and her own lover, Shiva.

Craziest Gods Kali

Wikimedia CommonsKali etching, 1770

author
All That's Interesting
author
All That's Interesting
Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
John Kuroski
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.
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