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Shyama Puja in Bangladesh: where and when

On Kali Puja night, temples across Dhaka light up with lamps. Here is where to go and the 2026 timings.

Last checked: 31 Oct 2026 · 4 sources

Dhaka timings for 2026

Drik Panchang's Dhaka listing puts Kali Puja on Sunday 8 November 2026. Nishita time is 11:16 pm to 12:08 am, on the night of 8-9 November. Amavasya begins at 11:57 am on 8 November and ends at 1:01 pm on 9 November. (Source: Drik Panchang, Kali Puja 2026 date and time (Dhaka))

Main temples in Dhaka

An older Dhaka Tribune report (November 2023) names Dhakeshwari National Temple, Siddheshwari Kali Temple and Ramna Kali Mandir as Shyama Puja venues in the capital. It also names Sri Sri Baradeshwari Kalimata Temple in Sabujbagh, Biharilal Jeo's Temple in Sutrapur and Shibmandir in Shankharibazar, and calls Shakhari Bazar and Tanti Bazar in Old Dhaka major celebration areas. (Source: Dhaka Tribune, Kali Puja being celebrated (12 Nov 2023))

The report says the puja begins around 10 pm and continues to midnight. Earthen lamps and candles are lit at temples, homes and crematoriums in memory of departed elders, with anjali, prasad distribution, devotional songs, and a hom-joggo at Ramkrishna Mission. Firecrackers are also set off. (Source: Dhaka Tribune, Kali Puja being celebrated (12 Nov 2023))

Dhakeshwari and Ramna Kali Mandir

Dhakeshwari temple is on Dhakeshwari Road in Bakshi Bazar, Old Dhaka. The goddess Dhakeshwari is a form of Durga. The page says Ballal Sen built it in the 12th century, though repeated repairs mean the present architecture cannot be dated to then. It was renamed Dhakeshwari Jatiya Mandir (National Temple) in 1996, and is described as the largest Hindu temple in Bangladesh. (Source: Wikipedia, Dhakeshwari National Temple)

Ramna Kali Mandir is dedicated to Kali and stands beside the former racecourse, now Suhrawardy Udyan, on the south side of Ramna Park. It is described as originally built in the Mughal era and largely developed in the early 20th century under the patronage of Rani Bilashmoni Debi. The original temple was destroyed by the Pakistani Army on 27 March 1971. The reconstructed temple was inaugurated on 17 December 2021. (Source: Wikipedia, Ramna Kali Mandir)

💡 Roads and temple grounds get crowded on puja night in Dhaka. If you go out at night, plan your ride back in advance, stay with your group, and follow the temple authorities' instructions.

Is it a public holiday?

We could not confirm from an official or news source whether Shyama Puja day is a public holiday in Bangladesh in 2026. Check the government's holiday notification yourself.

💡 Before planning around work or school, check the government list or your own institution. Online holiday lists disagree with each other.

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