Kali Puja & Diwali 2026 in Kolkata

Kali Puja and Diwali both fall on Sunday 8 November 2026. In Kolkata the night belongs to Kali: the goddess is worshipped at midnight on the new moon, at the Kalighat and Dakshineswar temples, at old shrines such as Thanthania Kalibari and Lake Kalibari, and in hundreds of neighbourhood pandals, with the Amherst Street and College Street belt among the best known. Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November, and Bhoot Chaturdashi, when Bengali homes light fourteen lamps, is on Saturday 7 November. Bhai Phonta, the Bengali Bhai Dooj, follows on Wednesday 11 November in the state holiday list, though some calendars give Tuesday 10 November. For going out, the fortnight before is the busy period: Diwali melas and pop-up markets, card parties, rangoli and diya-painting workshops, festive menus and Bollywood nights in the clubs. Firecrackers are restricted. In 2025 the state pollution control board allowed only certified green crackers, for two hours from 8 pm to 10 pm on Kali Puja night; the 2026 notification had not been published at the time of writing. This page lists Kali Puja and Diwali events, markets and parties across Kolkata, Howrah, Salt Lake and New Town.