Bhoot Chaturdashi is a traditional festival predominantly celebrated in West Bengal, Bihar, and several other regions across eastern India. According to religious traditions, the sacred night of Bhoot Chaturdashi is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Kali, Yamraj, Goddess Chamunda, Lord Shiva, and departed ancestors. It is widely believed that negative energies tend to become quite active during this specific night. To ward off such negativity and bring positive energy into daily life, people worship deities and light earthen lamps. A key ritual of this festival involves lighting exactly 14 lamps in and around the house. Behind this custom lies the belief that lighting these fourteen lamps pacifies the souls of ancestors across fourteen generations, thereby bringing pleasant outcomes and prosperity to life. Let us examine when Bhoot Chaturdashi falls in 2026 and what the auspicious worship timings will be.
Correct Date For Bhoot Chaturdashi 2026
Bhoot Chaturdashi is observed every year on the Chaturdashi tithi of the Krishna paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik, which falls precisely one day before Diwali. In 2026, the Chaturdashi tithi of the Kartik Krishna paksha will commence on November 7 at 10:49 AM, while the tithi will conclude on November 8 at 11:29 AM. Since the nighttime Chaturdashi tithi falls squarely on November 7, the festival of Bhoot Chaturdashi will accordingly be celebrated on November 7. Devotees across observing regions complete their rituals and follow customary practices on this exact evening.
Auspicious Puja Muhurat And Timings
During Bhoot Chaturdashi, rituals are performed to honor Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali, Goddess Chamunda, Yamraj, and ancestral spirits. The auspicious muhurat for performing the worship spans from 5:33 PM to 7:56 PM in the evening. According to traditional beliefs, ancestors up to fourteen generations prior visit the earthly realm on this particular night. For this reason, offering and lighting 14 lamps is considered highly meritorious. These fourteen lamps are typically placed near the main entrance of the home, inside the prayer room, and towards the southern direction of the household.
Regional Names And Beliefs
Traditional belief holds that these fourteen lamps appease ancestors spanning fourteen generations and simultaneously shield households from negative forces. Furthermore, lighting lamps on Bhoot Chaturdashi secures the divine blessings of celestial deities. While primarily celebrated in parts of West Bengal and Bihar, Bhoot Chaturdashi is recognized by different names across various parts of the country. The festival is widely known in other regions as Chhoti Diwali, Kali Chaudas, and Narak Chaturdashi.
