Kali Puja (Shyama Puja)

Maa Kali (Dakshina Kali / Shyama)

Shakta

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Kali Puja — the Bengali Shakta worship of Maa Kali on Karthik Amavasya (the same night as Diwali Lakshmi Puja in the rest of India). At Dakshineshwar, Kalighat, Tarapith (Tantric Kali peeth in Birbhum), and every neighbourhood pandal in Bengal, midnight worship of Kali continues until Brahma-muhurta. Sri Ramakrishna's Kali sadhana is held as the model.

Dates 2026–2027

November 8, 2026October 28, 2027

Mantra

ॐ क्रीं क्रीं क्रीं ह्रीं ह्रीं ह्रूं ह्रूं दक्षिणे कालिके क्रीं क्रीं क्रीं ह्रीं ह्रीं ह्रूं ह्रूं स्वाहा

Om Kreem Kreem Kreem Hreem Hreem Hum Hum Dakshine Kalike Kreem Kreem Kreem Hreem Hreem Hum Hum Svaha

The 22-syllable Dakshina-Kali mantra — invoking Maa Kali in her benevolent southern-facing form. The most powerful Shakta mantra of the Tantra path.

How to recite

Kali Puja is performed at midnight on Karthik Amavasya. Set up the Kali altar facing south. Offer red hibiscus flowers, raw black gram, coconut, sweet bhog, and 108 ghee diyas. Recite the Mahanirvana Tantra Kali Stotram and the Karpuradi Stotram of Mahakavi. Read the Devi Mahatmyam Chapters 7-8 (Kali appears in the Devi-Sukta).

Benefits

Bengali Shaktas worship Maa Kali on Diwali night (Karthik Amavasya) instead of Lakshmi as the primary deity. Kali removes all maya, ego, and obstacles. Worship at midnight is held to grant moksha-marga in this lifetime — the path of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the supreme Kali bhakta of modern times.

✦ Special Note

Tarapith and Dakshineshwar are the two most sacred Kali peeths for this night. Sri Ramakrishna's Dakshineshwar Kali is the iconic Bengali Kali murti. Dates per the Gupta Press Panjika (guptapresspanjika.org — the standard Bengali almanac since 1869), following its Amanta (Bengali) lunar convention with months ending on Amavasya (new moon), as used for Kali worship and dark-fortnight rituals; cross-checked against astronomical tithi computation.

Foods Allowed

Bengali bhog: khichuri, labra, niramish, payeshSandesh, rasgulla, rasmalai, mishti doi (sweet curd)Coconut and naruFresh fruits — pomegranate, banana, mango, papayaHibiscus flowers — offered to Kali, not eatenBlack urad daal (offered as ritual bhog only)Milk, curd, ghee, panchamritSendha namak only on fast portion

Foods to Avoid

Onion, garlic, brinjalRegular salt during fastMeat, fish, eggs, alcohol — strictly during the puja vratAnything not first offered to Maa Kali

Meal Idea

Khichuri-labra-payesh as the midnight bhog to Kali; sandesh and naru as the closing prasad; coconut and pomegranate as accompaniments to the Devi Mahatmyam recital.

Related vrats

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Phalaharini Kali Puja — July 14, 2026Same tradition and category
Saraswati Puja (Vasant Panchami) — February 11, 2027Same tradition and category
Amavasya · Adya Kali Puja (Shakta) — May 16, 2026Same tradition

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