Kali Puja 2021: Date, time, significance, history; everything you need to know about

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The festive season has started, and the preparations for Kali Puja have started in full swing in some parts of the country. This year, Kali puja, also known as Shyama puja will begin on the full moon day of Krishna paksha in the Kartik month of Krishna Paksha. Kali puja does not happen in the temple of Goddess Kali but a lot of people carry the puja at their houses also. In Bengal, Kali puja is also known as  Dipanwita Puja or Dipavali.

During Diwali majority of the people in India worship Goddess Lakshmi. On Amavasya Tithi, people in  West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha pray to Goddess Kali on a new moon day which is considered very auspicious.

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Kali puja 2021 date and time

Date of Kali Puja- November 4, Thursday.
Kali Puja Nishita Time - 11:38 PM to 12:30 AM, Nov 05
Amavasya Tithi Begins - 06:03 AM on Nov 04, 2021
Amavasya Tithi Ends - 02:44 AM on Nov 05, 2021

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Importance of Kali Puja
The word Kali is derived from the word kala that indicates black, time and death. Kali means the universe. It also means that if good exists bad also coexists. The idol of Goddess Kali also represents the same. She is seen holding a weapon dripped in blood and a severed head. She is also seen blessing her devotees and giving food to needy folks.

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Kali puja rituals

The rituals are performed by visiting the crematorium during Maha Nishita time, and puja is offered to the goddess of darkness and Veer Vetal. It is believed that evil spirits are very powerful during the night of Kali Chaudas, and hence puja is done to perform strength to face and escape from evil spirits.