Skulls - symbolising death and knowledge, Kali liberates us from that which troubles us. She is the slayer of our demons and egos.
Knives - This is her chosen weapon in battle.
Red hibiscus flowers - Kali’s favourite flower. these offerings should not have been smelled by the giver. The offering is for Kali, after all!
Yoni - Kali is incredibly sexual, and a mother. She is the consort of Shiva, who is often represented by a lingam.
Blood - In battles, Kali does not let a single drop of demon drop fall to the ground as this would allow another demon to spring from the ground. She is the consumer of blood, and this has caused her to become drunk and dance so much that a tear in the universe appeared. Some followers of Kali believe that blood is called for, whilst others do not. A substitute could be red wine.
So, I actually have an altar just to Kali in my home :) On it I have a red altar cloth, a mirror, a large set of radraksha seeds, mine and my husband's Kukri knives from Nepal, a yellow bowl for food offerings and a small yellow cup for fresh water offerings, a statue of Kali standing on Shiva, a Kali Yantra I made myself, and often a fresh flower.
Some offerings I give to Her at home and that are brought to the local Kali Mandir (Temple or Shrine to Kali) I visit often are:
flowers, fruit, sweets, ghee, sesame oil, perfume, incense and new jewelry or new saris. All offerings must not contain any meat, eggs, gelatin, onion or garlic. *
That is just what the Mandir prefers and because I am learning from the devotees there, it is therefor what I prefer, but it does give you an idea of what is used in a traditional sense in a modern Kali Mandir.
I personally make sure there are at least 6 offerings on my altar to Maa Kali as 6 is a special number for me. It is also not required but recommended to have two images of Maa. I like having a statue and a drawing of a Kali Yantra I made with care and a nice painting pen.
Her favorite flower is indeed the Red Hibiscus, but I have found that hard to come by at this time of year where I live. So I have found other flowers are fine too, I try to keep it all within the colors She prefers and are associated with Her, which are red (lolling tongue or blood and Her favorite flowers being red) and black (as all colors bleed together into one which is black as Her skin). I haven't come across a live black flower yet in person so I go for flowers that are red.
I offer her uncooked rice(which I draw a triangle in with the top pointing to Kali) and fresh water which I change often on my personal altar, as that is traditional as well within Hinduism and pujas (ritualistic offerings and prayer). ****
My ultimate goal for my home altar to Maa is to find Her a Red Hibiscus Perfume to place on the altar I have to Her.
Something to remember about having an altar to Her is that it is best to keep it in a room you do not eat, drink, or get intimate in. **
And just to clarify, where the responder above me wrote:
""In battles, Kali does not let a single drop of demon drop fall to the ground as this would allow another demon to spring from the ground",
The above quote seems to hint that this was the case with every demon she fought. It was not. The only time She drank every drop of blood before it fell to the ground was when she fought the demon Raktabija. ***.
Something to remember when giving offering to Maa Kali. You need to have a heart full of love and not fear. She is the destroyer of the superficial ego and those things that keep us from enlightenment. So go in to it with an open mind and heart, and be true with your intentions. Build a relationship with Her before you ask Her for any favors. :D
Sources
*Cited from the following website : https://www.kalimandir.org/visiting/
**Cited from the following website : http://roadtoshakti.com/how-to/worship-kali-ma/
***Cited from the following website : https://www.ancient.eu/Kali/
****Cited from the following website : http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com/perform-goddess-kali-puja-home-8025.html
