Kali chaudas puja vidhi | How to perform Kali Chaudas puja - Kali Chaudas, also known as Narak Chaturdashi or Bhoot Chaturdashi, is an important festival celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Kartik month, just before Diwali.
Kali chaudas puja vidhi | How to perform Kali Chaudas puja
On this sacred night, devotees worship Goddess Kali — the fierce form of Shakti — to remove negative energies, evil influences, and fear. Performing Kali Chaudas Puja with proper vidhi (rituals) and mantras is believed to purify the mind, protect the household, and bring spiritual strength. In this article, you will find a detailed step-by-step Kali Chaudas Puja Vidhi,
What is Kali Chaudas?
The festival of Kali Chaudas falls on the Chaturdashi tithi of the Krishna-Paksha in the month of Kartik/Ashwin (depending on regional calendar) — i.e., the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the lunar month.
The term “Kali” refers to the Goddess Maha Kali (or the dark power of time) and “Chaudas” means fourteen. It is a night of cleansing, protection from evil forces, negativity, and preparing for the main festival of Diwali.
In different regions it is also known as Narak Chaturdashi, Roop Chaudas, Bhoot Chaturdashi.
Kali Chaudas Significance
- On this day, Goddess Kali is worshipped for protection from negative energies, evil eye, black magic influences.
- The festival symbolises the victory of good over evil, light over darkness — one legend refers to the demon Narakasura being killed by Krishna on this day.
- The ritual bath (abhyang snan) and lighting of lamps drive away latent fears and negativity.
Kali Chaudas Puja Preparations
Before beginning the puja, here are the steps to prepare so that the ritual can be done with devotion and correct atmosphere:
Kali Chaudas Puja Samagri – Suggested items
- Goddess Kali’s idol or picture on a black / red cloth.
- Lamps (especially mustard oil / ghee lamps), incense (dhoop), camphor (kapoor)
- Flowers (especially red hibiscus or other bright ones)
- Sesame seeds (तिल), black gram, sweets (ladoos), rice with ghee & jaggery.
- Turmeric (हल्दी), kumkum (कुमकुम), sindoor, coconut, fruits, sweets.
- Black cloth or red cloth under the idol/picture (symbolic of the fierce nature of the Goddess).
- Oil bath or herbal paste (ubtan) for body cleansing early morning.
Place purifying & ambiance
- Early morning wake-up, take bath, cleanse the house, especially altar area.
- Decorate entrance with diyas (lamps), rangoli, flowers to invite positive energy.
- Light lamps at entrance, especially in late night hours / maha-nishita kaala (midnight) which is considered very auspicious for Kali Chaudas.
Kali Chaudas Step-by-Step Puja Method
Here is a detailed step‐by‐step method in the form that could be followed at home. You may adapt as per your tradition and availability of items.
1. Begin at Auspicious Muhurat
- Check the local Panchang for the Chaturdashi tithi & maha-nishita kaala.
- Begin the puja with a clean heart, mind and body.
2. Initial Bath & Self-purification
- Before puja, take an oil bath or apply herbal paste (ubtan) as recommended for body and mind cleansing.
- Wear clean clothes (preferably red / black / dark tones) to symbolise the energy of Kali.
3. Sanctify the Place & Install Deity
- Place the idol/picture of Goddess Kali on a red or black cloth.
- Sprinkle Gangajal or rose water around the altar. Offer incense, light the lamp.
- Offer flowers, coconut, fruits, sweets and sesame seeds.
- While placing the lamp, you may chant:
- Mantra in English transliteration: “Om Krim Kalikayai Namah”
- हिन्दी: “ॐ क्रीं कालिकायै नमः”
- (You may repeat 108 times or as per your tradition.)
4. Dhyan & Worship
- Sit quietly facing the deity, focus on her fierce form — the one that destroys negative energies and protects devotees.
- Chant the Kali Gayatri Mantra:
- English transliteration: “Om Maha Kalyai Cha Vidmahe Shmashana Vasinyai Cha Dhimahi Tanno Kali Prachodayat”
- Hindi: “ॐ महा काल्यै च विद्महे श्मशान वासिन्यै च धीमहि तन्नो काली प्रचोदयात्”
- Offer your prayers, ask for protection from evil, negativity, fear, and pray for courage and clarity.
5. Mantra Recitation and Aarti
- After dhyan, begin mantra chanting. One of the widely used mantras:
- “Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche”
- Hindi: “ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे ।”
- Light camphor, perform aarti (bring the lamp in circular motion in front of the deity), sing or recite the aarti.
- After aarti, offer prasad (sweets, fruits) to the Goddess, and distribute among family.
6. Lamp Offering & Protection
- Light mustard oil diyas at the entrance of your home to ward off negative energies.
- You may also walk through the house with a lit lamp, or place fourteen lamps (symbolic of Chaudas) along corridors or entrance.
- Some traditions also offer black sesame seeds, black gram, and keep vigil until midnight or for a while.
7. Conclusion and Pranam
- Once the puja is complete, thank the Goddess, offer prostration (शयन) with folded hands.
- Distribute the prasad to all present, share sweets with neighbours or as charity (daan) which is auspicious.
- Maintain a calm, grateful mind. Avoid negative thoughts, gossip or anger after the ritual night — the essence of the festival is inner cleansing and renewal.
