Kali Puja/Shyama Puja in West Bengal

Kali Puja/Shyama Puja কালীপূজা/শ্যামাপূজা

Kali Puja/ Shyama Puja is celebrated everywhere in the state. This festival usually falls in the month of November. The importance of observing this festival is to propitiate Goddess Kali who is believed to be the destructor of all hostile forces. The festival brings rejoice among all people in the state.

The festival of Kali Puja is not an ancient one. Kali Puja was practically unknown before the 18th century, however a late 17th century devotional text Kalika mangalkavya –by Balram mentions an annual festival dedicated to Kali. It was introduced in Bengal during the 18th century, by King (Raja) Krishnachandra of Navadvipa. Kali Puja gained popularity in the 19th century, with Krishanachandra’s grandson Ishvarchandra and the Bengali elite; wealthy landowners began patronizing the festival on a grand scale. Along with Durga Puja, now - Kali Puja is the biggest goddess festival in Bengal.