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Festival Profile

Kali Puja

Worship of Goddess Kali in eastern India, a night of devotion and sacrifice.

All festivals

Kali Puja honours Goddess Kali, the fierce form of the Divine Mother who destroys evil, celebrated especially in Bengal on the new moon of Kartik.

Stories behind the festival

The slayer of Raktabija

The demon Raktabija had a boon that every drop of his blood that fell on the ground created another demon. Kali drank his blood and devoured him, saving the world from his endless army. Her victory symbolises the destruction of evil.
Devi Mahatmya

The slayer of Raktabija

The demon Raktabija had a boon that every drop of his blood that fell on the ground created another demon. Kali drank his blood and devoured him, saving the world from his endless army. Her victory symbolises the destruction of evil.
Devi Mahatmya

Why we celebrate

Kali Puja honours Goddess Kali, the fierce form of the Divine Mother who destroys evil, celebrated especially in Bengal on the new moon of Kartik.
Devi Mahatmya; Bengali tradition

When

Kali Puja falls on the amavasya (new moon) of Kartik, coinciding with Diwali in eastern India.

Since when it is followed

The Kali worship is rooted in the Devi Mahatmya; the grand Kali Puja on Kartik amavasya is a centuries-old Bengali tradition.
Bengali regional tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated mainly in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, by devotees of the Goddess.

Origin

The origin is the worship of Goddess Kali as the slayer of the demon Raktabija and the destroyer of evil forces.
Devi Mahatmya (Raktabija legend)

Key deities

Goddess Kali.

How to celebrate

Install or worship the idol of Kali, perform night puja with offerings of red hibiscus, sweets and sometimes animal sacrifice (now often symbolic), and light lamps.

Rituals & offerings

Nightlong puja, offering of red hibiscus, coconut and sweets, and the lighting of lamps.

Key facts

Kali Puja is celebrated on the same night as Diwali in eastern India.
Regional tradition
Kali Puja is celebrated on the same night as Diwali in eastern India.
Regional tradition