Among India’s many post-Diwali traditions, Chitragupta Puja — also called Kalam–Dawaat Puja — holds a special place for the Kayastha community. This festival celebrates the worship of Lord Chitragupta, the celestial record-keeper of deeds, along with pens, inkpots, and account books — the tools symbolizing knowledge, intellect, and moral responsibility.
The festival beautifully blends spiritual reverence with ethical reflection, reminding devotees of the importance of truth, education, and justice in daily life.
When is Chitragupta Puja in 2025?
In 2025, Chitragupta Puja will be observed on Thursday, October 23, 2025, which coincides with Kartik Shukla Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj).
The auspicious window for performing the puja is generally during the afternoon (Aparahna), though families may choose a suitable time based on their local panchang (Hindu calendar).
The Legend of Lord Chitragupta
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Chitragupta was created by Lord Brahma from his mind (chitta) and body (kaya) — which is why his descendants are called Kayasthas.
Chitragupta is regarded as the divine scribe of Yama, the god of death. He keeps meticulous records of every human’s actions — both good and bad — and helps Yama determine their fate after death.
This cosmic symbolism inspires Kayasthas to lead a life guided by honesty, knowledge, and dharma (righteousness). Worshipping Chitragupta is seen as a way to purify one’s conscience and seek forgiveness for past misdeeds.
The Significance of Kalam–Dawaat Puja
The Kalam (pen) and Dawaat (inkpot) are sacred tools in this worship. They represent the power of learning, communication, and truth — the foundation of the Kayastha identity.
Historically, Kayasthas served as writers, administrators, and record-keepers in royal courts. Their intellect and literacy made them crucial in governance and documentation. Chitragupta Puja thus honors their traditional profession and reminds them of the ethical duty attached to knowledge and writing.
In the modern era, the same symbolism extends to computers, laptops, and digital devices — the new-age tools of documentation and intellect.
Puja Samagri (Essential Items)
To perform Chitragupta Puja, devotees typically prepare the following items:
- Picture or idol of Lord Chitragupta
- Pen, inkpot, notebooks or account books
- Roli (kumkum), akshat (rice), haldi, flowers, incense sticks, diya
- Gangajal or clean water
- Panchamrit (optional, for purification)
- Sweets, fruits, and dry fruits for naivedya
- A new notebook or ledger for the ritual writing ceremony
Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi (Ritual Process)
1. Sankalp :
Begin by cleaning the puja space and lighting a diya. Offer your prayer of intent — a promise to live ethically and uphold truth in your personal and professional life.
2. Avahan :
Place the idol or image of Lord Chitragupta on a clean platform. Sprinkle Gangajal to purify the area.
3. Offerings :
Apply roli and akshat on the deity’s forehead and on the pen, inkpot, and notebooks. Offer flowers, incense, and sweets.
4. Chanting & Reading:
Recite short Chitragupta mantras or read a Chitragupta Katha describing his divine role as the celestial accountant of karma.
5. Lekha-Jokha Ceremony:
Open a new notebook and write:
“Shree Ganeshaya Namah” and “Shree Chitraguptaya Namah.”
Families symbolically close old accounts and begin new ledgers for the year, representing a moral and spiritual reset.
6. Naivedya & Aarti:
Offer fruits and sweets as naivedya, perform aarti, and seek Lord Chitragupta’s blessings for wisdom and clear judgment.
7. Blessings (Aashirvad):
Elders bless younger family members. Many encourage children to start a new notebook on this day — marking a commitment to learning and righteousness.
Regional and Modern Practices
- In North India (especially Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi) : Families perform Chitragupta Puja at home, often placing professional tools such as pens, stamps, or computers near the altar.
- Community Gatherings: Kayastha associations and local groups organize collective Chitragupta Pujas and cultural events, promoting education, ethics, and unity within the community.
- Modern Adaptation: While traditional inkpots and ledgers are still honored, many families now include laptops, tablets, and office files as symbols of modern learning and work.
The spirit of the festival remains unchanged — a commitment to truth, discipline, and gratitude for knowledge.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Maintain cleanliness and a calm atmosphere during the puja.
- Use new or freshly cleaned pens, notebooks, or devices.
- Reflect on your past deeds and make positive resolutions for the year ahead.
Don’t:
- Use damaged or old items for the ritual writing.
- Treat the puja as a mere formality — its essence lies in moral reflection.
- Waste offerings or materials; simplicity and sincerity matter most.
Difference Between Chitragupta Puja, Saraswati Puja & Chopda Pujan
- Chitragupta Puja: Focuses on accountability, writing, and truth; performed by Kayasthas after Diwali.
- Saraswati Puja: Celebrates the goddess of learning and wisdom during Vasant Panchami.
- Chopda/Khata Pujan: Observed by traders on Diwali to bless account books for the new business year.
While all three worship knowledge, Chitragupta Puja uniquely emphasizes ethical judgment and the balance of deeds.
Chitragupta Puja 2025 Overview
| Occasion | Date | Tithi | Ideal Puja Time |
| Chitragupta Puja (Kalam–Dawaat Puja) | Thursday, October 23, 2025 | Kartik Shukla Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj) | Afternoon (Aparahna) |
The Spiritual Message
Chitragupta Puja teaches that actions are permanent records — whether written on paper or etched in karma. The worship of the pen and ink symbolizes not just education, but the responsibility that comes with knowledge.
The Kayastha community views this day as a time to seek forgiveness for past wrongs, renew moral commitment, and dedicate their intellect to righteous causes.
The message of this festival is timeless — that honesty, discipline, and wisdom are the true foundations of success.
Conclusion
Chitragupta Puja is much more than a ritual — it is a spiritual reminder to live with integrity, intellect, and balance. It bridges faith and profession, tradition and modernity, ethics and ambition.
For the Kayastha community, the Kalam–Dawaat Puja remains a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the divine recorder who reminds us that every action counts.
As devotees worship their pens and ledgers each year, they reaffirm a sacred vow: to let truth be the ink with which they write the story of their lives.
