Kali Puja 2024: Date, Time, Significance, and Celebrations Across India

Kali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja, is a major Hindu festival held throughout India, particularly in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and areas of Eastern India. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, this auspicious celebration takes place on Diwali's new moon day, bringing followers together to expel evil energy and welcome prosperity into their lives. In 2024, Kali Puja will be celebrated on Thursday, October 31. In this post, we will look at the Kali Puja 2024 date and time, as well as the significance of the puja rites (vidhi), shubh muhurat, mantra, and celebrations throughout India.

Table of contents

1. Overview of Kali Puja 2024
2. Date and Timing for Kali Puja in 2024
3. Difference Between Diwali and Kali Puja
4. Historical Background of Kali Puja
5. Stories Associated with Kali Puja
6. Importance of Kali Puja
7. Step-by-Step Guide for Performing Kali Puja in 2024
8. Festivities and Observances for Kali Puja 2024
9. Symbolic Meaning Behind Goddess Kali’s Image
10. Renowned Kali Puja Pandals Across India
11. Traditional Ways Kali Puja is Celebrated

Overview of Kali Puja 2024

Kali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja, is held on the Amavasya (new moon) day of Diwali. Unlike Diwali, which is largely dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Kali Puja honours Goddess Kali, the fiery embodiment of Goddess Durga. This powerful goddess symbolises destruction of bad forces and protection of her worshipers. Kali Puja is performed by devotees to drive away darkness, negative energy, and barriers in life, bringing about peace and prosperity.

Date and Timing for Kali Puja in 2024

Kali Puja 2024 takes place on October 31, 2024, a Thursday. Here are the specifics about the puja timings:
Kali Puja Nishita Time: 11:39 PM (October 31) to 12:28 AM (November 1)
Amavasya Tithi: 3:52 PM on October 31st to 01:39 PM on November 1st. 

This time is regarded as extremely favourable for offering prayers to Goddess Kali.

Difference Between Diwali and Kali Puja

Although Diwali and Kali Puja are celebrated at the same time, they have distinct religious meanings. People celebrate Diwali by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha in hopes of gaining wealth and success.
Kali Puja, on the other hand, is performed to defend oneself from evil influences and to dispel negativity. While Diwali celebrations are more widespread, Kali Puja is especially popular in West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha.

Historical Background of Kali Puja

Raja Krishnachandra of Navadvipa promoted the Kali Puja custom in the eighteenth century. However, ancient texts state that a guru named Krishnananda Agamavagisha established Kali Puja in the 16th century. Today, the holiday is extremely important in Tantric practices and Hindu worship, symbolising victory over evil. 

Stories Associated with Kali Puja

A famous narrative of Kali Puja tells about Maa Kali, in her furious avatar, going on a devastating rampage, smashing bad forces and demons. The gods pleaded with her husband, Lord Shiva, to stop her. Shiva lay on her path, and as Kali walked on him, she realised her error. She bit her tongue in humiliation, which cooled her rage and spared the world from disaster. 

Importance of Kali Puja

The significance of Kali Puja stems from its symbolism. Goddess Kali symbolises victory over darkness, the annihilation of evil, and the abolition of ego and ignorance. Worshipping her helps believers cleanse themselves of bad energy and live a spiritually fulfilling existence.

Step-by-Step Guide for Performing Kali Puja in 2024

1. Kali Puja can be celebrated at home or in community pandals. Here's a step-by-step instruction for practising Kali Puja at home. Prepare by cleaning the house and placing the statue or portrait of Goddess Kali on a clean altar.
2. Offerings include flowers, incense sticks, sweets, fruits, and red hibiscus blossoms (Goddess Kali's favourite).
3. Recite the Kali Mantra: ॐ ह्रीं क्रीं कालीका-ए नमः। Om Kreem Kalikaaye Namah.
4. Light a lamp (diya) and provide food to the deity. Perform aarti and request her blessings for protection and well-being.
5. Some regions execute tantric rituals at midnight with specific offerings such as skulls, blood, and scarlet vermilion to evoke mystical powers.

Festivities and Observances for Kali Puja 2024

Kali Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Cities such as Kolkata, Guwahati, and Delhi host massive Kali Puja pandals. In West Bengal, people assemble at temples and pandals to watch the midnight puja. To invoke Kali's blessings, devotees offer bhog, light diyas, set off fireworks, and chant her name. Tantric activities are observed around midnight to summon Kali's tremendous powers for personal and community protection. 

Symbolic Meaning Behind Goddess Kali’s Image

Goddess Kali's picture is full of rich symbolism. Her dark complexion symbolises the infinite world. The skull garland represents humanity's ego and ignorance. She holds a sword and a severed head, representing the eradication of evil. Her red tongue represents her fierceness and boundless vitality.

Renowned Kali Puja Pandals Across India

Kolkata is the most famous city for Kali Puja festivities, with pandals located at Kalighat, Shoshan Kali, and Girish Park.
Pandals in Mumbai include the Sarbojanin Kali Puja Committee and Sarvajanik Kalipuja Sion Agma.
Delhi: The famous Kashmere Gate Kalibari and Matri Mandir Samity celebrate lavish festivities. 

Traditional Ways Kali Puja is Celebrated

Pandals & Temples: In West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, Kali Puja is lavishly celebrated in gigantic pandals (temporary buildings) and temples. Devotees gather to witness beautifully crafted idols of Goddess Kali and participate in puja ceremonies.
Firecrackers and Festivities: Kali Puja, like Diwali, is celebrated by bursting firecrackers and lighting up homes with diyas and fairy lights. Cultural activities and communal feasts help to heighten the celebratory spirit.
Night-Long Worship: Devotees frequently hold night-long vigils, chanting devotional songs and hymns while continually praying to Goddess Kali.