Mumbai: Bhoot Chaturdashi, a significant Hindu festival observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, carries special cultural and religious significance in West Bengal and among Bengali-speaking communities. This festival is dedicated to honouring the spirits of departed family members through specific rituals involving lamps and traditional foods.
Bhoot Chaturdashi, also known as Kali Chaudas will be observed on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, as a significant day in the Diwali festivities. It is dedicated to honouring Goddess Kali, the divine Goddess who symbolises strength and power and serves to drive away evil spirits and negative energies.
On Bhoot Chaturdashi, rituals focused on dispelling negative energies from homes and surroundings are performed. It is customary to light 14 diyas (lamps) on this day, which are believed to protect the household from evil spirits. These lamps are strategically placed inside and outside the home to honour ancestors and ward off the darkness.
When is Bhoot Chaturdashi 2024?
Bhoot Chaturdashi is celebrated on the night before Diwali, a time when it is believed that the barrier between the living and the dead becomes particularly thin, allowing the spirits of 14 generations of ancestors, known as ‘Chowddo gooshti-r aatma,’ to return to Earth.
Bhoot Chaturdashi provides devotees an opportunity to reflect on their spiritual connections with both the living and the departed.
Bhoot Chaturdashi 2024 Date and Muhurat
Bhoot Chaturdashi Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Bhoot Chaturdashi Muhurat: From 11:53 pm to 12:43 am on October 31
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: at 1:15 pm on October 30, 2024
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: till 3:52 pm on October 31, 2024
Bhoot Chaturdashi festival
On Bhoot Chaturdashi, various rituals are performed to seek the blessings of Goddess Kali for the safety of their loved ones and the removal of evil influences. Observing Bhoot Chaturdashi is believed to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Diwali, as it helps to eliminate any negative influences and welcomes positive energy into the home.
Many devotees perform a special puja dedicated to Goddess Kali, Additionally, fasting and prayer are common practices on this day, making it significant for those pursuing spiritual cleansing and protection.
Another meaningful ritual on Bhoot Chaturdashi involves preparing a dish of 14 leafy greens known as ‘Choddo Shaak’. Consuming this healthy blend of greens is believed to boost immunity and prevent illness.
On this day, family members gather to pray for their deceased loved ones, recounting their names and life stories. It serves as a time of reflection and reverence, honouring the deceased and invoking their spirits through prayers and rituals. This day strengthens family bonds as members recall shared memories of their ancestors.
