The new-moon night of the Assamese month of Kati is Kali Puja and Diwali together. Kali is worshipped at midnight in pandals and at the Shakti temples. Houses are lit in a way that is Assam's own: young banana plants are set upright at the gateway and along the fence, and rows of earthen lamps are placed on them, on strips of bamboo and in the cut stems.
The story
Kamakhya is one of the great seats of Tantra, and the hill holds temples to all ten Mahavidyas, the forms of the goddess, Kali first among them.
The lamps of Diwali join those of Kati Bihu, lit at the tulsi and in the fields since the start of the month.
How it is kept
- Lamps on banana stemsSet out at dusk along the front of every house.
- Kali PujaAt midnight, with red hibiscus.
- FireworksMany are made in Barpeta, whose cottage fireworks industry is more than a century old.
- SweetsLaru and pitha, shared with neighbours.
Why this date
Kali Puja and Diwali fall on the Amavasya of the lunar month of Ashvina, on the day the new-moon tithi covers the hours after sunset.
Kali Puja and Diwali in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday | |
| 2026 | Sunday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday |
More Assamese festivals
24 NovemberRaas Purnimaৰাস পূৰ্ণিমা
18 OctoberKati Bihuকাতি বিহু
21 OctoberBijoya Dashamiবিজয়া দশমী
20 OctoberMaha Navamiমহা নৱমী
15 January 2027Magh Bihuমাঘ বিহু
19 OctoberMaha Ashtamiমহা অষ্টমী
Where to see Kali Puja and Diwali
In Assam
- Kamakhya Temple, GuwahatiAssamThe seat of the ten Mahavidyas.
- Ugratara Temple, GuwahatiAssamA fierce form of the goddess in the heart of the old city.
- BarpetaAssamThe town whose cottage industry of fireworks is more than a century old.
Across India
- KolkataWest BengalKali Puja at Kalighat and Dakshineswar.
- UdaipurTripuraTripura Sundari, with a Diwali fair on the lake.
- AyodhyaUttar PradeshLamps along the Sarayu for Rama's return.