Kali Chaudash 2024 — mypanchang.com

Kali Chaudash

Kali Chaudash — Narak Chaturdashi, Roop Chaudas, Chhoti Diwali — falls on the fourteenth day of Kartika's dark fortnight, the day before Diwali (Amavasya). It is the day Lord Krishna (aided by Satyabhama and Garuda) slew the demon Narakasura, freeing 16,100 women he had imprisoned. The victory is celebrated with pre-dawn bathing and oil massage — earning the name Narak Chaturdashi (the fourteenth of Naraka's defeat).

In Gujarat, Bengal, and Maharashtra, this day has another dimension: Kali Puja. Goddess Kali — the ferocious, dark, time-consuming aspect of Devi — is worshipped with great intensity on this new-moon-adjacent night. In Bengal, Kali Puja is the biggest event of the Diwali season, eclipsing Lakshmi Puja in cultural significance. Tantric practitioners perform midnight puja (Nishita Kaal puja) to Goddess Kali with offerings of red hibiscus, sindoor, and blood-red fruits.

In Maharashtra and Gujarat the day is called Narak Chaturdashi or Roop Chaudas (Roop = beauty). The tradition of an abhyang snan (oil bath with ubtan — turmeric and herb paste) before sunrise is observed to wash away the darkness of Naraka and emerge beautiful for Diwali. This is also the day Hanuman Jayanthi is observed in some South Indian and Maharashtrian traditions (specifically the one that places Hanuman's birth at Nishita kaal of this night).

Tradition & Practice

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Narakasura Vadha

Lord Krishna and Satyabhama (riding Garuda) defeated Narakasura on this day, freeing 16,100 imprisoned women. The pre-dawn celebration honours this victory over the demon of darkness.

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Abhyang Snan

Before sunrise, families observe Abhyang Snan — a ritual oil bath with sesame oil, followed by ubtan (turmeric, sandalwood, gram flour paste). This is said to wash off the "filth of Naraka" and purify for Diwali.

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Kali Puja

In Bengal, Kali Puja on this night is the biggest festival of the season. Goddess Kali is worshipped at midnight with red hibiscus, sindoor, and lamps. Pandals across Kolkata are illuminated through the night.

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Nishita Kaal Muhurta

For both Kali Puja and Hanuman Jayanthi, the Nishita Kaal (midnight window) is the most powerful muhurta. It falls in the deep of night — the precise window depends on your city and is shown above.

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Hanuman Jayanthi

Several South Indian and Maharashtrian traditions place Hanuman Jayanthi on Narak Chaturdashi — his birth at Nishita Kaal. Special Hanuman puja and Sundarakanda recitation are performed at midnight.

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Chhoti Diwali

"Chhoti" (small) Diwali: families light 14 diyas in specific rooms of the house on this night. Each diya is said to correspond to one of the 14 worlds (lokas) and keeps evil away from the home.

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