Chitragupta Puja is observed as the birthday of Shri Chitragupta. It is celebrated on the day of Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali. This festival is observed by Kayastas caste in North India. This year (2009) Chitragupta Jayanthi Puja is on 19th October 2009.

Who is Chitragupta:

Vedas describe Chitragupta as the son of Bramha. Lord Bramha created 16 sons from the various parts of his own body and Chitragupta was the 17th son who was born from the whole body (Kaya) and hence the progeny of Chitragupta are called as Kayasthas.

It is also described in this regard that Lord Brahma gave the ruling of death to Yamaraja. Yamaraja was often confused where to send a particular human being, to hell or heaven. He requested Lord Bramha for someone to assit him and Bramha created Chitragupta holding inkpot and book to keep track of every person’s good and bad deed and report to Yamaraj.

He has two wives Shobavathi and Nandini and twelve sons named as follows: Srivastava, Surajdwaj, Nigam, Kulshreshth, Mathur, Karna, Saxena, Gaud, Asthana, Ambasht, Bhatnagar and Bulmik.

Chitragupta Puja Celebrations:

Chitragupta puja is revered by Kayastha families in North India. On this day they acknowledge the importance of the good deeds and believe that world peace, justice, knowledge and literacy are the four primary virtues dipicted by the form of Shri Chitragupta Maharaj. The puja is also known as Dawat (Inkpot) puja. On the day before the puja Kayastas stop using pen and paper and on the next day, that is on the day of puja, pens and paper are worshipped and respected. All this symbolizes the importance of study in the life of a Kayastha.

The Deity or lamination of Lord Chitragupta is placed and detailed puja is carried out and sweets are offered. The earning members of the family give account of their earnings in writing to Chitragupta. They put forth the requirements of money for the coming year and pray for his blessings to get the needed amount.