Chaturdashi Tithi चतुर्दशी
The 14th lunar day · deity Shiva (Kali) · Rikta tithi
Chaturdashi (चतुर्दशी) is the 14th lunar day (tithi), presided over by Shiva (Kali) and counted a Rikta tithi (empty — best avoided for auspicious work; suits demolition or endings). Chaturdashi, the fourteenth tithi, is intense and dedicated to Shiva and Kali. The tithi prevailing at sunrise is applied to the whole day in the panchang.
Key takeaways
- Presiding deity: Shiva (Kali).
- Nature: Rikta — empty — best avoided for auspicious work; suits demolition or endings.
- A Rikta tithi generally avoided for auspicious beginnings but powerful for Shiva worship and spiritual intensity.
- Occurs in both the Shukla and Krishna paksha each lunar month.
Chaturdashi at a glance
| Presiding deity | Shiva (Kali) |
| Nature | Rikta — empty — best avoided for auspicious work; suits demolition or endings |
| Position | 14th tithi of each paksha |
What is Chaturdashi tithi?
Chaturdashi, the fourteenth tithi, is intense and dedicated to Shiva and Kali. As a lunar day, Chaturdashi can begin or end at any clock time, so the panchang uses the Chaturdashi that is running at sunrise.
Presiding deity of Chaturdashi
It is presided over by Shiva (and Kali). Worship and vrats on Chaturdashi are directed to this deity.
Nature: a Rikta tithi
Chaturdashi belongs to the Rikta group of tithis, which are empty — best avoided for auspicious work; suits demolition or endings. The five natures — Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikta and Purna — repeat through the fortnight and help decide which activities a day suits.
Festivals and observances on Chaturdashi
Maha Shivaratri (Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi), Narak Chaturdashi (before Diwali) and Anant Chaturdashi fall on Chaturdashi.
- Maha Shivratri — Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi — the great night of Shiva
- Masik Shivratri — every Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi
- Narak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) — Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi
- Anant Chaturdashi — Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi — Ganesh Visarjan
- Narasimha Chaturdashi — Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi
Festivals fixed to Chaturdashi recur every year but on shifting Gregorian dates; several also depend on the lunar month and paksha. Confirm this year's dates on the festivals and calendar pages or your local panchang.
What Chaturdashi tithi is good for
A Rikta tithi generally avoided for auspicious beginnings but powerful for Shiva worship and spiritual intensity. Combine the tithi with a favourable nakshatra, an auspicious choghadiya and the weekday, avoiding Rahu Kaal, when choosing a muhurat.
Chaturdashi in the panchang
You can see whether today is Chaturdashi on any city's daily panchang, and find upcoming Chaturdashi dates on the panchang calendar. Learn about all the tithis, the 27 nakshatras, or read the complete panchang guide.
Tithi attributes follow traditional sources; for religious observance confirm the exact tithi and timings with your local panchang.
Common questions
Which deity rules Chaturdashi tithi?
Chaturdashi tithi is presided over by Shiva (Kali). It is presided over by Shiva (and Kali).
What festivals fall on Chaturdashi?
Maha Shivaratri (Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi), Narak Chaturdashi (before Diwali) and Anant Chaturdashi fall on Chaturdashi.
Is Chaturdashi a good tithi?
A Rikta tithi generally avoided for auspicious beginnings but powerful for Shiva worship and spiritual intensity.
What is a tithi?
A tithi is a lunar day — the time for the Moon to move 12° from the Sun. A lunar month has 30 tithis, 15 in the waxing Shukla paksha and 15 in the waning Krishna paksha.
What is a Rikta tithi?
Rikta tithis are empty — best avoided for auspicious work; suits demolition or endings. Chaturdashi is one of them.