Bhai Dooj is commonly associated with sisters applying a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and praying for their well-being. However, in many Kayastha households, the festival also marks Chitragupta Puja, popularly known as Kalam-Dawat Puja. During the ritual, families worship pens, inkpots, notebooks and account books, seeking blessings for knowledge, wisdom and success. The tradition reflects the Kayastha community’s historical association with writing, education and record-keeping. Want to know more about it? Read on!
Who Is Lord Chitragupta And Why Is He Worshipped?
According to Hindu beliefs, Lord Chitragupta is the divine record-keeper who maintains an account of every individual’s deeds, both good and bad. He is associated with Lord Yama, the god of death, and is believed to record human actions and their consequences. Lord Chitragupta holds special significance for the Kayastha community, which has traditionally been associated with writing, administration and maintaining records. He is revered as the community’s ancestral deity. Incredible India’s account of the Adi Chitragupt Mandir in Patna also describes him as the divine scribe who keeps track of human virtues and sins.
The Global Kayastha Conference defines the occasion as Chitragupta Puja, or Kalam-Dawat Puja. Pens, inkpots, notebooks and account books are among the objects traditionally included in the worship.
Why Do Kayastha Families Worship Pens And Inkpots On Bhai Dooj?
Kalam-Dawat is made up of two words: kalam, meaning pen, and dawat, meaning inkpot. During the puja, these writing instruments are placed before Lord Chitragupta, along with notebooks, ledgers and account books. The ritual is rooted in the belief that worshipping these objects can bring blessings for education, knowledge, wisdom and professional success. It also reflects Lord Chitragupta’s role as the keeper of records. Some business owners place their account books before the deity and pray for prosperity in their ventures.
A Times of India report on Chitragupta Puja in Lucknow notes that Kayastha families worship pens and paper as symbols of education. Beyond professional success, the ritual also carries a message of accountability. Since Lord Chitragupta is believed to keep a record of every individual’s actions, devotees seek his blessings to follow the right path and make wise decisions.
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While Bhai Dooj celebrates the bond between siblings, Chitragupta Puja adds another layer of significance for Kayastha families. The worship of pens, inkpots and account books keeps alive a tradition closely connected to learning, writing and record-keeping.
Did you know about this tradition?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
When is Bhai Dooj 2026?
Bhai Dooj 2026 is celebrated on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, marking the final day of the Diwali festival according to Time and Date.
Which caste is Kayastha?
Kayastha is a prominent traditional scribal and administrative community in India, historically functioning as a writing and record-keeping caste.
Who is Lord Chitragupta?
Chitragupta is a Hindu deity who serves as the divine accountant, registrar, and keeper of karma in Yamaloka (the realm of Yama, the god of death).
