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Bhoot Chaturdashi: the night before Kali Puja

The day before Kali Puja is Bhoot Chaturdashi in Bengal: fourteen lamps, the belief that ancestors visit, and a little spooky lore.

Last checked: 31 Oct 2026 · 3 sources

What is Bhoot Chaturdashi

It falls on Chaturdashi, the 14th day of the waning fortnight, and is the second day of the five-day Diwali festival. The same day is also called Naraka Chaturdashi or Kali Chaudas. (Source: Wikipedia, Naraka Chaturdashi (Bhoot Chaturdashi))

In Bengal and Bangladesh, the day before Kali Puja is observed as Bhoot Chaturdashi. (Source: Wikipedia, Naraka Chaturdashi (Bhoot Chaturdashi))

In 2026 Bhoot Chaturdashi (listed by Drik Panchang as Kali Chaudas, 'also known as Bhut Chaturdashi') is Saturday 7 November. In Kolkata the Chaturdashi tithi runs from 10:47 am on 7 November to 11:27 am on 8 November. (Source: Drik Panchang, Kali Chaudas 2026 (Kolkata))

Kali Puja follows on Sunday 8 November; the Amavasya tithi runs from 11:27 am on 8 November to 12:31 pm on 9 November. (Source: Drik Panchang, Kali Puja 2026 date and time (Kolkata))

Fourteen lamps and the ancestors

Fourteen lamps (pradips or diyas) are lit on this occasion. The belief is that the 14 forefathers of a family visit their living relatives, and lamps placed all around the house guide them homewards. (Source: Wikipedia, Naraka Chaturdashi (Bhoot Chaturdashi))

💡 If you light lamps or candles at home, keep them away from curtains, paper and small children, and put them all out before you sleep.

The ghost lore

Despite the name, the idea is not really about fear. The belief is that on the eve of the dark night the souls of the deceased come down to earth to visit their dear ones. (Source: Wikipedia, Naraka Chaturdashi (Bhoot Chaturdashi))

💡 Many homes talk of eating fourteen greens (choddo shaak). None of the pages we checked mention it, so we make no claim; ask the elders at home about your family's custom.

The Naraka Chaturdashi link

Hindu literature says Narakasura was killed on this day by Krishna and Satyabhama, which is why the same tithi is known as Naraka Chaturdashi elsewhere in India. (Source: Wikipedia, Naraka Chaturdashi (Bhoot Chaturdashi))

By calendar tradition it is counted as 29 Ashvin in the amanta system or 14 Kartika in the purnimanta system. (Source: Wikipedia, Naraka Chaturdashi (Bhoot Chaturdashi))

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