Kali Chaudas 2024: How to Perform Puja and Remove Negative Energies

Kali Chaudas 2024: How to Perform Puja

Kali Chaudas, also known as Bhut Chaturdashi, is an important observance, especially in the western states of India like Gujarat. It will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Celebrated during the Diwali festivities, it is a day dedicated to removing negative energies and seeking protection from evil forces. The puja on Kali Chaudas is performed to worship the goddess of darkness, Kali, and the fierce guardian deity, Veer Vetal, to ward off evil spirits and negativity.

Kali Chaudas 2024: Significance

Kali Chaudas holds great spiritual importance as it is observed during the Chaturdashi Tithi (the fourteenth lunar day) and focuses on dispelling darkness from one’s life. It is distinct from other festivals around the same time, like Roop Chaudas and Narak Chaturdashi, which are also part of the Diwali celebrations. The main difference lies in the time and rituals performed. The day for Kali Chaudas is chosen when the Chaturdashi Tithi prevails during Maha Nishita, the midnight period, which is considered the most auspicious time for this puja.

Many people confuse Kali Chaudas with Roop Chaudas or Narak Chaturdashi, as they sometimes fall around the same time. However, the rituals for Kali Chaudas differ, focusing on removing evil spirits and energies. Care should be taken while determining the exact date of Kali Chaudas, as it must align with the Chaturdashi Tithi prevailing at midnight.

Kali Chaudas 2024: Puja Rituals to remove energy

The main rituals of Kali Chaudas are performed during Maha Nishita, typically involving a visit to a crematorium. Here, devotees offer prayers to Goddess Kali and Veer Vetal, the deity associated with warding off evil spirits. This practice is believed to free the devotees from negative forces and bring peace and protection.

Here’s a simple guide on how to perform the Kali Chaudas puja to remove negativity:

• Cleanse your home – Before the puja, clean your home thoroughly to create a pure space. It’s essential to rid the house of any lingering negative energies.
• Prepare the altar – Set up a small altar with an idol or image of Goddess Kali. Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets, along with incense sticks and a ghee lamp.
• Offer prayers to Veer Vetal – Along with Kali, offer prayers to Veer Vetal, asking for protection from negative influences.
• Recite mantras – Chant Kali mantras to invoke her blessings and seek protection from darkness and evil forces.
• Visit a crematorium (optional) – Traditionally, some people visit a crematorium at midnight to offer prayers. While this is not mandatory, it is a significant part of the rituals for those who follow the custom strictly.
• End with aarti – Conclude the puja by performing aarti and seeking blessings from the goddess to remove any lingering negativity and bless the household with prosperity and protection.

It’s important to note that Kali Chaudas should not be confused with the more widely known Bengal Kali Puja, which is observed the day after Kali Chaudas, on Amavasya (new moon) night. While both rituals are dedicated to Goddess Kali, the specific customs and timing of these two celebrations differ.

Kali Chaudas is a powerful day for dispelling negativity and inviting positive energy into one’s life. By performing the puja with devotion, individuals can seek the blessings of Goddess Kali and Veer Vetal, ensuring protection from evil forces. Whether one observes it at home or follows the traditional visit to a crematorium, Kali Chaudas is a spiritually significant event, offering an opportunity to cleanse the mind, body, and surroundings from any harmful influences.