Bhoot Chaturthi in Bengal, The festive season has started in India and the country is preparing to celebrate Diwali with great pomp and enthusiasm. This festival is celebrated in different ways across the country. Every state has its own special traditions. While in North Indian states Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber are worshiped on Diwali, in West Bengal people worship Goddess Kali on the evening of Diwali, which is also called “Kali Puja” there. Talking about Diwali here, when the country celebrates ‘Chhoti Diwali’, on that day the people of West Bengal celebrate ‘Bhoot Chaturdashi’ in their own special ‘Halloween’ style. It is celebrated a day before Kali Puja. According to the Hindu calendar, this day falls on the Chaturdashi tithi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month and is celebrated to drive away evil spirits or ghosts from the house.
This is how Bhoot Chaturthi is celebrated in Bengal-
On the day of Bhoot Chaturthi, people of Bengal wake up early in the morning and take bath before sunrise. After this, special puja is organized in the evening, in which Lord Yamraj, Maa Kali, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, and Lord Vishnu are worshiped at home. On this day people pray for the peace of ghosts and spirits and perform special rituals.
Tradition to escape from the wrath of ghosts-
-On this day, to protect against the wrath of ghosts, 14 earthen lamps are lit in the houses at dusk, which are called ‘Choddo Prodeep’. These lamps are placed outside doors, windows, near the Tulsi plant and at other places.
-It is believed that on this day 14 ancestors come to earth to see their living children and seeing their happiness, they are satisfied and leave. These lamps help the ancestors find their home.
Also read: Narak Chaturdashi 2024: When is Chhoti Diwali? Why is Yama’s lamp lit on the night of Narak Chaturdashi? Learn from Panditji
-On this day, there is a tradition of eating a vegetable by mixing 14 types of greens or leafy vegetables in every house. This recipe is called ‘Choddo Shaak’. It is served as the main bhog or prasad of this day.
-On this day, special puja is performed in the evening, in which the idols of Lord Yamraj, Maa Kali, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and Lord Vishnu are worshipped.
-After her worship, Goddess Kali is worshiped at night and devotees pray for their safety and well-being. It is believed that on this day evil powers are more dominant and seeing the frightening form of Mother Chamuda and Kali, they do not enter the house.
-On this day, people who learn Tantra Vidya do Tantra Sadhana. Children are not allowed to go out of the house on this day. Elders say that on this night Tantriks acquire dark powers by kidnapping children and sacrificing them to attain Siddhis.
-Bhoot Chaturdashi is also called Narak Chaturdashi, Chhoti Diwali and Kali Chaudas. This festival is celebrated on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik.
Tags: Bengal news, peak diwali, Diwali Celebration, Diwali festival, Lifestyle
FIRST PUBLISHED: October 25, 2024, 10:43 IST
