Kali Chaudas 2026 Date: November 7 or 8? Check Puja Muhurat, Rituals and Why It Differs From Choti Diwali

Kali Chaudas 2026 Date and Puja Muhurat

Kali Chaudas 2026 will be observed on Saturday, November 7. The festival is associated with the worship of Goddess Kali during the midnight period of Krishna Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the waning lunar fortnight in the Hindu month of Kartik.

According to the New Delhi Panchang, the Chaturdashi Tithi begins on November 7 and continues until November 8. The midnight puja is performed while the Tithi is prevailing.

Event	Date and Time
Kali Chaudas 2026	Saturday, November 7
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins	November 7, 10:47 AM
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends	November 8, 11:27 AM
Kali Chaudas Puja Muhurat	November 7, 11:39 PM to November 8, 12:31 AM
Duration of Puja Muhurat	52 minutes

Note: The timings are based on the New Delhi Panchang. Puja muhurat may vary slightly depending on the city and local Panchang calculations.


The midnight period, known as Nishita Kaal, is considered significant for Kali Chaudas worship. The observance is determined by the presence of Chaturdashi Tithi during midnight, which is why Kali Chaudas may fall on a different calendar date from Naraka Chaturdashi in certain years.

Why Is Kali Chaudas Celebrated?

Kali Chaudas is dedicated to Goddess Kali, a fierce form of Goddess Parvati associated with the destruction of evil, protection from negative forces and the restoration of balance.

The word Kali refers to the Goddess, while Chaudas means the fourteenth lunar day. The festival is observed during Krishna Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight.

In Gujarat and several parts of western India, Kali Chaudas is considered an important occasion for seeking divine protection and removing negative influences. Devotees worship Goddess Kali and, in some traditions, Lord Hanuman.

The festival is also associated with Bhut Chaturdashi, a name linked to beliefs about protection from spirits and negative energies. However, the rituals and interpretations differ across regions.

Kali Chaudas is not observed uniformly across India. In some regions, the same period is associated with Naraka Chaturdashi, the celebration of Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura.

Read More: Naraka Chaturdashi 2026: November 8 or 9? Check Abhyanga Snan Muhurat and Krishna's Victory Over Narakasura

Kali Chaudas vs Naraka Chaturdashi vs Choti Diwali: What Is the Difference?

Kali Chaudas, Naraka Chaturdashi and Choti Diwali are often used interchangeably, but their significance and regional observances are not identical.

Festival	Main Significance	Associated Rituals
Kali Chaudas	Worship of Goddess Kali and protection from negative influences	Midnight puja, prayers to Goddess Kali and Hanuman
Naraka Chaturdashi	Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura	Abhyanga Snan, early morning oil bath and lighting lamps
Choti Diwali	The smaller celebration before the main Diwali festival	Lighting diyas, preparing sweets and festive cleaning

The distinction is particularly important in 2026.

Kali Chaudas will be observed on the night of November 7, while Naraka Chaturdashi and Choti Diwali will be observed on November 8 in the relevant regional traditions.

The difference arises because the midnight worship associated with Kali Chaudas and the early morning rituals associated with Naraka Chaturdashi follow different observance rules.

In Gujarat, Kali Chaudas is particularly associated with Goddess Kali and protective rituals. In other parts of India, the emphasis is on Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura and the celebration of Naraka Chaturdashi.

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Kali Chaudas 2026 Rituals: How Is the Festival Observed?

Kali Chaudas rituals vary by region and family tradition. The observance is particularly prominent in Gujarat, where devotees worship Goddess Kali during the night.

1. Worship of Goddess Kali

Devotees offer prayers to Goddess Kali, seeking protection from negative influences, fear and obstacles.

The puja may include flowers, incense, lamps and traditional offerings. Some devotees recite prayers or mantras dedicated to the Goddess.

The midnight period is considered particularly significant for Kali Chaudas worship.

2. Lighting Diyas

Lighting lamps is an important part of the Diwali festival period, including Kali Chaudas.

Devotees light diyas at home and offer prayers for protection, peace and well-being. The lamps are also associated with the removal of darkness and the symbolic victory of good over evil.

3. Hanuman Puja

In several regional traditions, Lord Hanuman is also worshipped on Kali Chaudas.

Devotees seek his blessings for courage, strength and protection from negative influences. Hanuman Puja is particularly associated with the observance in parts of western India.

4. Traditional Protective Rituals

Some families follow traditional rituals intended to protect the household from negative energies.

These practices differ across communities and may include prayers, lighting lamps and specific offerings. Certain rituals are associated with regional folk traditions rather than a uniform nationwide practice.

Devotees should follow their family customs or consult a local priest for specific ritual requirements.

Kali Chaudas Significance: The Story of Goddess Kali

Kali Chaudas is associated with the worship of Goddess Kali, whose fierce form represents the destruction of evil and the protection of devotees.

According to Hindu traditions, Goddess Kali emerged to destroy powerful demonic forces that threatened the balance of the universe. Her form represents the strength required to overcome fear, ignorance and destructive influences.

One of the widely known stories associated with Goddess Kali is her battle against the demon Raktabija. The demon possessed the ability to produce more demons from every drop of his blood that fell to the ground.

Goddess Kali defeated him by preventing his blood from reaching the earth, ultimately ending the threat.

The story highlights the Goddess's role as a protector and destroyer of evil.

Although Kali Chaudas is associated with these traditions, the festival's specific rituals and interpretations vary across regions.

Is Kali Chaudas the Same as Kali Puja?

Kali Chaudas is distinct from Kali Puja, which is observed on the Amavasya night of Diwali, particularly in eastern India. While both festivals are associated with Goddess Kali, Kali Chaudas is linked to Krishna Chaturdashi and is particularly significant in Gujarat and parts of western India.

Read Next: Diwali 2026 Date | Chhath Puja 2026 Date | Kali Puja (November 08, 2026) in West Bengal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is Kali Chaudas in 2026?
   Kali Chaudas 2026 will be observed on Saturday, November 7. The midnight puja takes place during the night of November 7 and continues into November 8.
2. Is Kali Chaudas on November 7 or November 8 in 2026?
   Kali Chaudas is observed on November 7 according to the midnight Chaturdashi observance. Naraka Chaturdashi and Choti Diwali are observed on November 8 in the relevant regional traditions.
3. What is the Kali Chaudas puja muhurat in 2026?
   The Kali Chaudas puja muhurat in New Delhi is from 11:39 PM on November 7 to 12:31 AM on November 8, 2026. The timing may vary slightly by location.
4. Is Kali Chaudas the same as Naraka Chaturdashi?
   Kali Chaudas and Naraka Chaturdashi are associated with the same Chaturdashi Tithi but have different regional significance. Kali Chaudas focuses on Goddess Kali, while Naraka Chaturdashi celebrates Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura.
5. Is Kali Chaudas the same as Kali Puja?
   No. Kali Chaudas is observed during Krishna Chaturdashi, while Kali Puja is generally performed on Diwali's Amavasya night, particularly in West Bengal and eastern India.