Kali Puja or Shyama Puja is celebrated by Hindus on the new moon day during Diwali. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Kali. The puja is performed to eradicate all negative energies and to welcome prosperity. Kali Puja 2023 will be celebrated on 12 November 2023, Sunday.
Check the Kali Puja 2023 date and time, muhurat, significance, legend, celebrations, image representation, popular places, and origin.
What is Kali Puja 2023?
Goddess Kali is one of the incarnations of the Goddess Durga. According to the Hindu calendar, Kali Puja is performed on Amavasya during Diwali. Most of the people worship Goddess Lakshmi during the time of Diwali. All the incarnations of Goddess Durga are celebrated during the time of Navratri and Dussehra.
When is Kali Puja in 2023?
Kali Puja 2023 date is 12 November 2023, Sunday. Here are the details for Kali Puja Muhurat and Puja timings:
- Kali Puja Nishita Time – 11:39 PM (12 November) to 12:32 AM (13 November)
- Amavasya Tithi Time: 02:43 PM on 12 November
Are Diwali and Kali Puja 2023 the Same?
On Diwali, people worship the Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Ganesh to bring wealth and prosperity to their lives. Kali Puja is performed to remove negative energies and bring positivity and happiness. Some people celebrate Kali Puja and Diwali on the same day.
Origin of Kali Puja
The Kali puja was popularised by Raja Krishnachandra, King of Navadvipa in the 18th century. According to the ancient texts, a sage named Krishnananda Agamavagisha first initiated Kali Puja in the 16th century.
Legend Related to Kali Puja
Kali Puja 2023
According to a famous legend, Maa Kali got angry with the corrupt human society and she intended to destroy anyone who stood in her path. The other gods begged Lord Shiva, her husband, to end the destruction. Lord Shiva lay down in the path of the goddess to stop her from destruction. As soon as Kali stepped on him in rage, she was mortified by the act. She bit her tongue as a mark of embarrassment. All her anger vanished the moment she stepped on Lord Shiva as her entire rage was absorbed by Shiva himself, who thus saved the world.
Significance of Kali Puja
Goddess Kali is one of the most celebrated goddesses of Hinduism. She symbolizes victory and is fierce, and kind. Kali puja is performed to remove the negativity of self and to destroy immorality in all forms that stop one from achieving spiritual fulfilment. Worshipping Goddess Kali brings positivity, prosperity, and happiness in life.
Celebrations of Kali Puja 2023
Kali Puja is celebrated with enthusiasm and great fervour. It is celebrated in two ways, Brahmanic and Tantric.
The Brahmanic puja of Goddess Kali is observed in the traditional Hindu ways with offerings to the deity. In Hindu culture, Kali Maa is also known as the ‘Adya Shakti Kali’. Devotees visit temples, greet each other with Happy Kali Puja, perform Puja at home and arrange huge Kali Puja Pandals in common grounds. It is the festival of spirituality, faith, colours, and social gatherings.
The Tantrik Puja involves the Mantras during midnight to please the goddess. The Kali Puja Vidhi includes red colour, skulls, hibiscus flowers, blood, red vermillion and animal sacrifice. This process is carried from midnight till dawn to achieve Tantrik Siddhi (supernatural powers).
What Does Goddess Kali’s Image Symbolize?
Goddess Kali represents the fierce, truth, and wisdom. Here are some of the representations of her image:
- Maa Kali’s Colour – It is a night sky colour which is mystic in nature.
- 50 Humans Head Garland – These heads represent the truth.
- White Teeth and Red Tongue – White teeth represent inner purity and red tongue depicts her undiscriminating nature.
- A severed head and a Sword in hand – Symbolize the triumph of wisdom and the destruction of ignorance.
- Three Eyes – Three eyes characterize the time- past, present, and future.
Places to Observe Kali Puja 2023
Kali Puja seeks grand attention by crafting huge Kali Puja pandals and idols throughout the country. Pandals near temples are specially arranged for this festival and idols of the goddess are installed and decorated with red colour and flowers.
Some of the famous Kali temples are:
1. Dakshineshwar Temple, Kolkata: Dakshineswar Temple in Kolkata was built between 1847 and 1855 by Rani Rasmoni. The temple also has idols of Shiva, Radha and Krishna. Thousands of devotees visit the temple during Kali Puja. This temple is known for the famous Kali Puja in Kolkata.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Kolkata
2. Kalighat Temple, Kolkata: The Kalighat temple in Kolkata was built in 1809. The shrine in the temple is dedicated to the destructive side of Shiva. Every morning a goat is sacrificed in the temple to quench her thirst for blood. Hundreds of people perform Puja in this temple during the Kali Puja festival.
3. Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati: The Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Assam is one of the Shakti Peethams in India. Many Tantric practices are performed in this temple. People seek for the supernatural powers and salvation in this temple.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Guwahati
Famous Kali Puja Pandals in India
Kali Puja 2023
Kali Puja is one of the grand festivals celebrated in India. Some of the famous Pandals that are must-visit:
Famous Pandals in Kolkata
1. Girish Park: The Kali Puja Pandal at Girish Park is centrally located in Kolkata is the most famous Pandal as it gets personal attention from the Chief Minister. The pandal has been designed beautifully and the idol is spectacular.
- Location: Girish Park, Chittaranjan Ave, Maniktala, Azad Hind Bag, Kolkata
2. Kalighat: Kalighat is one of the major Shakti Peethas. During Kali Puja, the temple is thronged by hundreds of devotees. There’s also a crowd-puller pandal in the area on Kali Temple Road and every year they come up with unique themes.
- Location: Kalighat, Kolkata
3. Shoshan Kali: Shoshan Kali is one of the oldest Kali puja in Kolkata. In this Pandal, people chant goddess Kali’s name in the middle of the night, when the aarti takes place. Unlike other places, the idol here is black in colour instead of blue.
- Location: Keoratala Shamshan, Tollygunge, Kolkata
Famous Pandals in Bangalore
1. Bangalore Kalibari: The oldest Kali Bari in Bangalore is conducting Kali Pujo since 1973 in a barren land. Later the current temple was built in the same place. The Bhog prasad is distributed after the Puja.
- Location: 5th Cross, Viginapura, Opposite FCI Godown Gate, KR Puram, Bengaluru
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Bangalore
2. North Bangalore Cultural Samithi: The temple has idols of Ganapati, Kali, and Shiva. It also has two big halls on the ground and the first floor that can be rented for family functions and get-togethers.
- Location: 8, Nandini Layout, Bengaluru
Famous Pandals in Mumbai
1. Sarvojanin Kali Puja Committee (SKPC), Mumbai: This Pandal has been hosting the Kali Puja for the past 47 years. They host a cultural program and Bhog will be served around midnight after the puja.
- Location: Jankibai Hall, Munshi Nagar, near Bhavan’s College, Azad Nagar, Andheri West
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Mumbai, Hotels in Andheri West
2. Sarvajanik Kalipuja Sion Agma: They have a full itinerary planned and are going to worship Maa Kali with full fervour. Performed on the night of Kartik Amawasya, the puja is done by thousands of Bengalis who have been taking part in the festivities for years.
- Location: Kalimata Mandir, Bengal Club, Shivaji Park, Dadar
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Dadar
Famous Pandals in Delhi
1. Kashmere Gate Kalibari, Delhi: The Kashmiri Gate Durga puja pandal is the oldest Kali Puja held in Delhi. You can trace its origin to 1910 when it started as a ‘Baroyari’ or community puja, so it has crossed the 100-year mark. The pandal makes you feel nostalgic because it is still erected and decorated traditionally.
- Location: Bengali Sr Sec School, Alipur Road, Kashmere Gate
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Delhi, Hotels near ISBT Kashmere Gate
2. Matri Mandir Samity: The Matri Mandir Samiti is celebrating Kali Puja from past 54 years. They have been diligently organising the puja which attracts local participation as well. They have received several awards throughout the years of hosting the event because of their traditional and classic way of executing it.
- Location: Safdarjung Enclave, B-2 Block, Safdarjung
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Safdarjung Enclave
Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type
| Festivals in India | Day | Date | Holiday Type |
| New Year | Sunday | 1 January | Public |
| Lohri | Saturday | 14 January | Restricted |
| Makar Sankranti | Saturday | 14 January | Restricted |
| Pongal | Sunday | 15 January | Restricted |
| Basant Panchmi | Thursday | 26 January | Restricted |
| Republic Day | Thursday | 26 January | Public |
| Guru Ravidass Jayanti | Sunday | 5 February | Restricted |
| Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wednesday | 15 February | Restricted |
| Mahashivratri | Saturday | 18 February | Restricted |
| Losar | Tuesday | 21 February | Restricted |
| Holi | Wednesday | 8 March | Public |
| Ram Navami | Thursday | 30 March | Restricted |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Tuesday | 4 April | Restricted |
| Good Friday | Friday | 7 April | Public |
| Easter | Sunday | 9 April | Restricted |
| Vaisakhi | Friday | 14 April | Restricted |
| Eid Ul Fitr | Saturday | 22 April | Public |
| Buddha Purnima | Friday | 5 May | Public |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Tuesday | 9 May | Restricted |
| Rath Yatra | Tuesday | 20 June | Restricted |
| Eid Al Adha | Thursday | 29 June | Restricted |
| Muharram | Saturday | 29 July | Public |
| Independence Day | Tuesday | 15 August | Public |
| Parsi New Year Navroz | Wednesday | 16 August | Restricted |
| Onam | Tuesday | 29 August | Restricted |
| Raksha Bandhan | Wednesday | 30 August | Restricted |
| Janmashtami | Thursday | 7 September | Restricted |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Tuesday | 19 September | Restricted |
| Id E Milad | Thursday | 28 September | Public |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Monday | 2 October | Public |
| Shardiya Navratri | Sunday | 15 October | No Holiday |
| Durga Puja | Friday | 20 October | No Holiday |
| Dussehra | Tuesday | 24 October | Public |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Saturday | 28 October | Restricted |
| Halloween Day | Tuesday | 31 October | No Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Tuesday | 1 November | Restricted |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Tuesday | 1 November | Restricted |
| Kerala Piravi | Tuesday | 1 November | Restricted |
| Ahoi Ashtami | Sunday | 5 November | No Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Saturday | 11 November | No Holiday |
| Diwali | Sunday | 12 November | Public |
| Kali Puja | Sunday | 12 November | No Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Sunday | 12 November | No Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Monday | 13 November | Public |
| Bhai Dooj | Tuesday | 14 November | Restricted |
| Chhath Puja | Sunday | 19 November | Restricted |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Monday | 27 November | Public |
| Kartik Purnima | Monday | 27 November | No Holiday |
| Christmas | Monday | 25 December | Public |
FAQs
Q. What is the purpose of Kali Puja?
A. The purpose of Kali Puja is to remove the negative energies and seek happiness.
Q. How do you worship Kali at home?
A. To worship Goddess Kali at home, keep the idol of Kali on a red cloth and offer her flowers, dishes, water, and rice.
Q. Why is Kali Maa angry?
A. Maa Kali got angry with the corrupt human society and she intended to destroy anyone who stood in her path.
Q. Which place is famous for Kali Puja in Kolkata?
A. Kolkata is famous for its Kali Puja with grand festivities and celebrations.
Q. Which flower is offered to Kali?
A. The red hibiscus flower is offered to the Goddess Kali.
Q. How to wish on Kali Puja?
A. The famous Kali Puja wishes are: May Goddess Kali put an end to all the negativity in our lives and bring us happiness and positivity and May Maa Kali is always there to show us the right path and fill our lives with happiness, success and prosperity. Happy Kali Puja to everyone.
Q. Which Pandal is famous for Kali Puja in India?
A. Some of the famous Kali Puja Pandals in India are Girish Park in Kolkata, Bangalore Kalipbari in Bangalore, Kashmere Gate Kalibari in Delhi, and SKPC in Mumbai.
