After the lamps of Diwali fade and the air settles into calm, a quieter, more reflective day arrives, Chitragupta Puja. It is a day that feels less like a celebration and more like a mirror, gently asking us to look inward. While Diwali fills our homes with light, Chitragupta Puja fills our conscience with awareness.

In 2025, Chitragupta Puja will be observed on Thursday, October 23, coinciding with Bhai Dooj. For the Kayastha community, it is one of the most sacred days of the year, dedicated to Lord Chitragupta, the divine keeper of karmic records. But beyond one community, this festival speaks to anyone who seeks balance, truth, and renewal.

Chitragupta Puja 2025 Date and Shubh Muhurat

As per the Hindu calendar, Chitragupta Puja falls on the Dwitiya Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. It is the final day of the Diwali festivities and represents the closing of one cycle and the beginning of another. In 2025:

Date: Thursday, October 23

Dwitiya Tithi Begins: 8:16 pm on October 22

Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 10:46 pm on October 23

Aparahna Muhurat (Most Auspicious Time): 1:13 pm to 3:28 pm

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

The afternoon period is considered the most sacred for offering prayers and performing rituals. It is a time for reflection, intention, and setting the tone for the year ahead.

The Meaning of Chitragupta Puja

Chitragupta Puja marks the birth anniversary of Lord Chitragupta, also known as Kayastha Dharma Diwas. Lord Chitragupta is known as the divine scribe, the one who keeps the record of every human deed: good or bad. He is said to assist Lord Yama, the god of death, by maintaining an eternal account of karma.

He is called Chitragupta because he records both the visible deeds (Chitra) and the hidden ones (Gupta). His presence reminds us that even when no one is watching, our actions still shape our destiny. This puja teaches that spiritual wealth comes from honesty, compassion, and integrity. It encourages us to take stock of our lives, to pause and reflect on our choices, and to start again with a clean slate.

The Story of Lord Chitragupta

According to ancient texts, when Lord Brahma created the universe, he realised that humanity needed a divine overseer, someone who could record actions and ensure that justice was maintained across lifetimes. From Brahma’s own soul emerged Chitragupta, a being of intellect, fairness, and truth.

Chitragupta was given a pen, an inkpot, and a divine ledger to record the deeds of every soul. This act was not meant to invoke fear, but awareness. It was a reminder that our actions echo beyond time and that self-accountability is the truest form of worship. That is why, during this puja, devotees worship pens, inkpots, and notebooks, symbolic of both knowledge and karma. The festival is also called Masyadhara Puja, because the inkpot (masi) represents divine wisdom.

How to Perform Chitragupta Puja

The rituals of Chitragupta Puja are simple, meaningful, and deeply personal. They reflect gratitude, reflection, and the desire for balance.

Morning Preparation: Begin your day early with a bath and clean the space where the puja will be performed. Choose a quiet, well-lit corner and place a clean white cloth on a table or wooden plank.

Setting the Altar: Place a picture or idol of Lord Chitragupta on the altar. Light a ghee diya and offer Panchamrit, sandalwood paste, turmeric, and flowers. You can also place your pen, diary, or work ledger before him, symbolising devotion through your daily actions.

The Writing Ritual: This is the most special part of the puja. Sit before the altar with a pen, inkpot, and a blank page. Draw a Swastik with roli and ghee on the page. Then write Shri Ganeshaya Namah and Om Chitraguptaya Namah. Next, write the names of the deities and seek their blessings. You can also write your intentions for the coming year:  a spiritual to-do list that aligns your energy with honesty and purpose.

Aarti and Prayers: Recite the Chitragupta Katha and perform the aarti with devotion. Offer sweets and fruits, and then distribute prasad among family members. For mental clarity and peace, listen and chant along to the Gayatri Mantra on AstroSure.ai.

The Cultural and Astrological Significance

While the Kayastha community celebrates Chitragupta Puja as a day of devotion to their family deity, its meaning is universal. The day falls during the Shukla Paksha, a time of rising lunar energy and renewal. It is an ideal phase to clear past karmas and realign your actions with truth.

From an astrological perspective, this period strengthens the influence of Mercury and Jupiter, the planets associated with intellect, justice, and wisdom. Performing Chitragupta Puja during this time enhances focus, self-discipline, and decision-making: qualities that bring both spiritual and professional success.

Temples and Celebrations

Across India, Lord Chitragupta is honoured with reverence and celebration. The Chitragupta Temple in Khajuraho, built in the 11th century, is one of the oldest shrines dedicated to him. Its carvings tell stories of balance, fairness, and divine order.

In Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, the 250-year-old Chitragupta Temple becomes a hub of activity every year. Families gather here to perform rituals and seek blessings for wisdom and righteousness. Interestingly, Lord Chitragupta is also worshipped in Thailand, where he is seen as a symbol of justice and truth, bridging cultural and spiritual boundaries.

The Deeper Message of Chitragupta Puja 2025

Beyond rituals and offerings, this festival carries a powerful reminder: our lives are written in the ink of our actions. Each thought, word, and deed becomes part of our spiritual record. Chitragupta Puja is not meant to inspire fear but awareness. It invites us to look within, acknowledge our mistakes, and take responsibility with grace. It encourages forgiveness, for ourselves and for others, and helps us begin again, wiser and lighter.

As you perform the rituals this year, let it be a moment of self-reflection. Ask yourself: what am I writing into the story of my life? Am I living with truth, compassion, and purpose? The answer to those questions is the true offering to Lord Chitragupta.

As Chitragupta Puja 2025 arrives, let it mark not just the end of Diwali but the start of something new. Clean your space, light your lamp, open your heart, and begin a new chapter: one written with honesty and intention. When we align our actions with awareness, every moment becomes sacred.

Ask Agastyaa on AstroSure.ai for guidance, balance, and karmic clarity today