Kali Puja 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the same Kartik Amavasya on which most of India celebrates Diwali Lakshmi Puja. The difference is the hour. Lakshmi Puja is done in the early evening, while Kali Puja is a midnight worship, and in New Delhi the Nishita muhurat runs from 11:39 PM on 8 November to 12:31 AM on 9 November, according to Drik Panchang. Below are the city timings, what the night involves and the cracker rules that apply in Kolkata this year.
Kali Puja 2026 date and Nishita muhurat
Drik Panchang lists these timings for Kali Puja 2026 (New Delhi):
| Event | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Kali Puja | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
| Nishita puja time | 11:39 PM to 12:31 AM (9 November) |
| Duration | 53 minutes |
| Amavasya begins | 11:27 AM, 8 November 2026 |
| Amavasya ends | 12:31 PM, 9 November 2026 |
The reason Kali Puja and Lakshmi Puja can fall on the same date but at very different hours is the rule each one follows. Drik Panchang explains that Kali Puja is done on the Amavasya that prevails at midnight, whereas Lakshmi Puja is done on the Amavasya that prevails during Pradosh, the period just after sunset. In 2026 the Amavasya covers both windows on 8 November, so both pujas share a date. If you also want the Lakshmi Puja muhurat and the full festival week, see our Diwali 2026 date and muhurat guide.
Kali Puja 2026 timings in major cities
Because the Nishita window depends on local sunset and sunrise, it shifts from city to city. These are the Kali Puja Nishita timings Drik Panchang gives for 8 November 2026. Check Drik Panchang for your own city before the night, since timings vary by location.
| City | Nishita puja time |
|---|---|
| Kolkata | 10:55 PM to 11:46 PM |
| Siliguri | 10:54 PM to 11:46 PM |
| Guwahati | 10:41 PM to 11:33 PM |
| Bhubaneswar | 11:05 PM to 11:56 PM |
| Ranchi | 11:07 PM to 11:58 PM |
| Patna | 11:07 PM to 11:59 PM |
| New Delhi | 11:39 PM to 12:31 AM (9 Nov) |
| Mumbai | 11:57 PM to 12:48 AM (9 Nov) |
| Bengaluru | 11:39 PM to 12:28 AM (9 Nov) |
Notice that the eastern cities, where the puja is biggest, get the earliest window. In Kolkata the muhurat starts just before 11 PM and is over before midnight by the clock, even though it is still the “midnight” period by panchang reckoning.
What Kali Puja is
Kali Puja, also called Shyama Puja, is the worship of Goddess Kali on the new-moon night of Kartik. Drik Panchang notes that while most of India worships Goddess Lakshmi on this Amavasya, people in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam worship Goddess Kali instead. In Bengal, Lakshmi has her own separate day, Kojagara Lakshmi Puja on Ashwin Purnima, a fortnight earlier.
According to the Wikipedia entry on Kali Puja, the festival is also known as Mahanisha Puja, and the night as Dipannita Amavasya. The same entry records that the puja spread in Bengal in the 18th century through patrons such as King Krishnachandra of Nadia, and grew much larger in the 19th century, a period linked with Ramakrishna’s devotion to Kali.
Today it is celebrated widely beyond Kolkata, including in Barasat, Naihati, Barrackpore, Basirhat and Tamluk in West Bengal, in Bhagalpur in Bihar, and in Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Tripura and Bangladesh.
How the night usually unfolds
Customs differ from place to place, but these are the common elements:
- Pandals and homes: Kali is worshipped in community pandals, temples and homes.
- Midnight worship: The main puja is done in the Nishita window, which is why many people stay awake through the night.
- Offerings: Wikipedia lists red hibiscus flowers, sweets, rice and lentils among the common offerings.
- Lamps and music: Homes are lit with diyas, and devotional Shyama Sangeet songs are widely played, with singers such as Pannalal Bhattacharya and Dhananjay Bhattacharya closely associated with the tradition.
- Processions: Bhagalpur in Bihar is known for its Kali Puja processions.
Kalighat and Dakshineswar
Two Kolkata temples draw the biggest crowds. At Kalighat, Wikipedia notes that on this night Kali is worshipped in the form of Lakshmi. Dakshineswar is the temple where Ramakrishna performed his rites to Kali. Expect long queues at both on the night. If you are mapping a wider trip around the season, our India 2026-27 festival calendar covers how the autumn festivals cluster together.
Firecracker rules in Kolkata for Kali Puja 2026
If you are celebrating in Kolkata, the cracker rules matter. The Times of India reported on 29 October 2026 that:
- Only green crackers are allowed, and they can be burst only between 8 PM and 10 PM on Kali Puja and Diwali. This follows a 2021 West Bengal Pollution Control Board order endorsed by the Calcutta High Court.
- NEERI has dropped the QR code on green cracker boxes this year. Instead, buyers should check that the brand is on the list of roughly 1,700 manufacturers approved by NEERI and PESO, which is on the NEERI website and is to be displayed outside the official Bazi Bazaars.
An earlier TOI report said a sound test of green crackers was set for 30 October at Tala Park, and that the organisers had sought 2 to 8 November for the Bazi Bazaars at Tala Park, Sahid Minar ground, Behala and Kalikapur, with dates awaiting police confirmation. Check local announcements for the final dates before you go.
Note that the 8 PM to 10 PM cracker window closes well before the Kolkata Nishita muhurat begins at 10:55 PM.
Practical tips for Kali Puja night
- Use your own city’s muhurat. A difference of up to an hour between Guwahati and Mumbai is normal.
- Buy crackers only from approved stalls and check the manufacturer against the NEERI list.
- Keep the rest of the week in mind. In 2026, Chhath begins soon after, so families who observe both can see our Chhath Puja 2026 date guide. And if you are travelling to Kolkata for the festival, our winter travel guide has tips on booking early in peak season.
Frequently asked questions
When is Kali Puja in 2026?
Kali Puja 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November 2026, per Drik Panchang.
What is the Kali Puja 2026 muhurat in Kolkata?
Drik Panchang gives the Kolkata Nishita puja time as 10:55 PM to 11:46 PM on 8 November 2026.
Are Kali Puja and Diwali on the same day in 2026?
Yes. Both fall on 8 November 2026. Lakshmi Puja is done in the Pradosh period after sunset, while Kali Puja is done in the Nishita period around midnight.
What is Kali Puja also called?
It is also known as Shyama Puja and Mahanisha Puja.
What are the cracker timings in Kolkata on Kali Puja?
Only green crackers are allowed, between 8 PM and 10 PM, as reported by The Times of India on 29 October 2026.
Featured image: Tarunsamanta / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.