Is it alright to worship Kālī at home?

yes — Kālī is worshipped as a loving Mother in countless homes; simple devotion is open to all, while elaborate tantric methods need a guru.

Kālī’s dark form, garland and lolling tongue can look frightening, but for her devotees she is the most tender of mothers. Her fierceness is turned against fear, ego and evil — never against her children. In Bengal, Assam and Odisha, family worship of Kālī is ordinary and joyful, and saints like Rāmakṛṣṇa Paramahaṁsa and Rāmprasād Sen spoke to her as a child speaks to its mother.

At home, worship her as you would any form of the Devī: a picture or small mūrti, a lamp, red hibiscus (her favourite flower), sweets, and a simple mantra such as “Oṁ Krīṁ Kālikāyai namaḥ” or “Jay Mā Kālī”. Dīpāvalī Amāvasyā is Kālī Pūjā in eastern India.

Specific tantric rituals and certain bīja mantras are traditionally learned from a guru, and it is wise to leave those aside without one. Simple bhakti, though, needs no permission.

Source: Devī Māhātmya; Bengal Śākta tradition · Kālī Pūjā: Kārtika Amāvasyā (Dīpāvalī night)

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