Bhoot Chaturdashi 2024: A Day to Honor the Departed and Celebrate Tradition

By A Staff Reporter:

Kolkata – Bhoot Chaturdashi, a significant Hindu festival observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, holds special cultural and religious importance in West Bengal and Bengali-speaking regions. The festival, which falls a day before Kali Puja, is dedicated to paying respect to the spirits of departed family members and is marked by specific rituals involving lamps and traditional food.

This year, Bhoot Chaturdashi Tithi begins on October 30 at 1:15 PM and ends on October 31 at 3:52 PM. The observance will coincide with Kali Puja, according to Udaya Tithi (daybreak calculation), adding greater significance to this year’s celebration.

Rituals and Significance

Bhoot Chaturdashi is marked by the lighting of 14 lamps, symbolizing respect for the departed souls of ancestors. The lamps are believed to guide the spirits during the night. Additionally, families prepare a special meal consisting of 14 varieties of vegetables, which symbolizes abundance and life. This ritual is deeply rooted in the tradition of offering food to ancestors, while also representing a connection to nature’s bounty and prosperity.

On this day, family members come together to offer prayers to their deceased loved ones, remembering their names and recounting their life stories. It is a time of reflection and reverence, where the dead are honored and their spirits are invoked in prayers and rituals. The day becomes a way for families to reinforce their bonds by recalling shared memories of their ancestors.

A Fusion of Tradition and Devotion

Bhoot Chaturdashi, closely associated with Kali Puja, blends cultural customs with religious devotion. The lighting of 14 lamps and preparation of a special feast are integral parts of the observance, reflecting both respect for tradition and celebration of life. As families unite in remembrance of their ancestors, the festival becomes a symbolic blend of life, devotion, and ancestral honor.

With the festival falling on the same day as Kali Puja this year, Bhoot Chaturdashi holds even more significance, offering devotees a chance to reflect on their spiritual connection with both life and the afterlife.