Deepavali spreads over five days, starting with Dhan Teras and extending up to Bhai Dooj. The Narak Chaturdashi festival usually clashes with the day just before Diwali, also known as Choti Diwali. Let us discuss Narak Chaturdashi and understand its significance.
When does Narak Chaturdashi observe?
Narak Chaturdashi, or Naraka Chaturdashi (as commonly known), falls on the 14th day (Chaturdashi) of the Karthik month, Krishna Paksha, as per the Hindu calendar. Narak Chaturdashi 2022 falls on Monday, October 24, 2022. Generally, this festival celebrates Bhagwan Shri Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasur.
Note the critical Narak Chaturdashi Tithi and Timings – Date 24th October 2022
Abhyanga Snan Muhurat - 05:06 AM to 06:27 AM
Duration - 01 Hour 22 Mins
Moonrise on Abhyanga Snan - 05:06 AM
The Abhyanga Snana timings can change from one city to the other. Hence, you can refer to your local Panchang to know the exact timings, according to where you reside.
Naraka Chaturdashi – The Story behind the festival
Our scriptures have various stories connected with Narak Chaturdashi. However, the following two anecdotes stand out as the most popular.
The killing of the demon, Narakasur
Narakasur, a dangerous demon with supernatural abilities, made it impossible for good beings to exist on the planet. He kidnapped 16 thousand of the gods’ wives as hostages and started torturing saints and priests all over the globe. Unable to bear the suffering, everyone approached Bhagwan Shri Krishna to help them. As Narakasur had a curse that a woman would cause his death, Bhagwan Shri Krishna, with the help of his wife, Satyabhama, killed Narakasur on the 14th day of Krishna Paksha, Karthik month. Hence, people celebrate Narak Chaturdashi on this day and light up diyas.
Another story is that Bhagwan Shri Vishnu assumed the Vaman Avatar to win back the kingdoms annexed by Mahabali. He covered the entire kingdom of Mahabali with his three steps. Vaman Avatar, impressed by Mahabali’s generosity, bestowed a boon on him. Mahabali asked for the time slot between the Thrayodashi (13th day) and the Purnima (full moon), during which his kingdom withstands the test of time. Anyone lighting diyas on Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha in Karthik month would be blessed with wealth and grandeur. It would also exempt them from the trip to Hell as it provided immunity from the God of Death, Yamaraj.
Thus, the practice of Deep Daan became a significant ritual on Naraka Chaturdashi.
Narak Chaturdashi – Celebrations
Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as Choti Deepavali, is celebrated throughout India with full enthusiasm. The Abhyanga Snana is the most significant feature of this festival. In Goa, people parade giant effigies of Narakasur on the streets. West Bengal celebrates Narakasur as the birthday of Goddess Kali by creating massive pandals of Maa Kali and performing special Pujas.
Narak Chaturdashi – Rituals
The Abhyanga Snana is a critical feature of Naraka Chaturdashi. People wake up early and take an oil bath by applying Ubatan, a herbal paste made of flowers, oil, and other beautifying ingredients. Bathing during the Abhyanga Snana Muhurta is significant as people believe it frees them from the sufferings of Hell. Wearing new clothes after the bath is the custom as it wards off evil’s eye.
Naraka Chaturdashi falls one day before Deepavali. Hence, people celebrate the festivals similarly by lighting lamps, worshipping various Gods and Goddesses like Lakshmi, and seeking her blessings. People also burst crackers on that day.
Some people fast on Naraka Chaturdashi day and worship Kubera and Lakshmi with total devotion. They break the fast after completing the Puja rituals.
People also worship Hanuman on that day by offering flowers, sandalwood, and oil to the Hanuman deity. In addition, they prepare unique sweets using rice flakes, jaggery, and sesame seeds. Usually, these ingredients are taken from their fresh harvests. This practice is more prevalent in Western India.
People also worship their Kul Devi or Devta on Narak Chaturdashi. They make food offerings to their forefathers and receive their blessings.
Naraka Chaturdashi – Interesting facts
Abhyanga Snana is compulsory on Narak Chaturdashi.
Usually, people fill a vessel with water on Ahoi Ashtami during the Krishna Paksha in Karthik month. Then, they mix this water with their bathing water on Narak Chaturdashi. In addition, some people keep Ganga Jal in their homes to mix with their bathing water.
Light a lamp outside the main door in Yamaraj’s honor. It absolves you of your past sins.
People light diyas in their homes and places of work as it signifies warding off evil and ushering in prosperity.
Narak Chaturdashi has a specific period known as Nisheeth Kaal. People collect their useless things and throw them out of the house. It signifies the removal of poverty because people believe Goddess Lakshmi enters your home during Deepavali. So, cleaning your house of all the clutter means welcoming Lakshmi with her aura of wealth and prosperity.
Naraka Chaturdashi is known by different names throughout India. They are Choti Deepavali, Bhoot Chaturdashi, Roop Chaudas, or Naraka Nirvana Chaturdashi.
Naraka Chaturdashi is one of the few festivals in India to be celebrated throughout the country. This festival is a part of a long chain of festivals during Deepavali. So, many states in India have holidays during this period. The festivities start from Dhan Teras and go on till Bhai Dooj. These festivals bind India and Indians together. Besides, knowing the significance of these festivals brings us closer to our rich heritage and culture. Hindu mythology is filled with cultural colors and divine energies, which can be understood with the help of an astrologer. Talk to an astrologer today and know the fate you hold in your career, love, life, and all other instances of life.
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