Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated as the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. This day is considered as one of the auspicious day by Hindus. Read on to learn about the importance of this day and rituals followed on this day.Festivals are an integral part of Indian life,each with its own significance. Celebrated in different forms all over the country, Diwali is popularly said to be the ‘festival of lights’. The second day of this five-day long festival is Narak Chaturdashi, falling on the fourteenth day of the dark half of the Ashwin month.According to Hindu legend, this day commemorates the victory of Kali, Satyabhama and Krishna over Narakasura the demon-king. Naraka Chaturdashi falls on 29 October this year, and is also celebrated as ‘Chhoti Diwali’ or ‘Kali Puja’ in some places. It is believed that the day is auspicious to get rid of a hex, curse, black magic or bad luck. In this articleMythological Significance of Narak Chaturdashi‘Chhoti Diwali’‘Kali Puja’RitualsNarak Chaturdarshi in Southern IndiaMythological Significance of Narak ChaturdashiAccording to Hindu literature, Narakasura was a demon-king who had imprisoned 16,000 women which included the daughters of the Gods. He had also defeated the king of the Gods, Lord Indra and stolen the earrings from Aditi, the mother of the Gods. Goddess Kali, Goddess Satyabhama and Lord Krishna thus fought the battle with the demon and defeated him with Krishna’s Sudarshana Chakra and Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with Naraka’s blood.‘Chhoti Diwali’The day before Diwali is generally termed as ‘Chhoti Diwali’ or ‘Kali Puja’ in various parts of India. A thorough Pre-Diwali cleaning is done throughout the house to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Decorations are also put up at home and colourful Rangoli patterns are drawn at the doorstep and are lit with diyas to welcome the goddess on Diwali. Firecrackers are brought out in the evening and are burst by children and adults alike, spreading light across neighbourhoods. This particular custom is mostly followed in the northern and western parts of the country, though it is celebrated in the other parts as well.‘Kali Puja’The literal meaning of ‘Kali Chaudas’ is dark and fourteenth, the day when Kali Puja or Shakti Puja is done. Kali Puja is usually celebrated in the eastern part of the country, where people pray for protection against spiritual, emotional and physical adversities. Children seem to the most excited as they go shopping for firecrackers and Diwali bombs for the next evening.RitualsOn this day, people wake up at sunrise and prepare for a scented oil bath, for which preparations are made the night before. The water-pots are cleaned and decorated with marigold flowers and mango leaves and the water is heated the next morning for use. Oil baths are hugely popular in Ayurveda, as they help in building immunity against accidental injuries or stress. It is also believed that those who take regular oil-baths possess a pleasant touch, becomes strong and remains youthful for longer. The house is lit up with oil lamps and the ladies of the house perform aarti of the men. New clothes are worn by the family members and sweets are offered to God. Special sweets and savouries are distributed to family and friends such as Laddus, Chaklis, Sakkaparas, Badamhalwa and Poha.Narak Chaturdarshi in Southern IndiaNarak Chaturdashi is celebrated in a special way in Goa, where paper-made effigies stuffed with grass and firecrackers are burst at four in the morning. Men take scented oil baths, while the women perform aarti for them. A bitter berry called the Kareeta is crushed under the feet which symbolises the killing of Narakasura, and the removal of evil and ignorance.Gifts are exchanged and the atmosphere is filled with a mood of celebration and festivity. Different kinds of poha and sweets are prepared, offered to the God and enjoyed with family and friends.Diwali is usually celebrated on Narak Chaturdashi in south India, while others celebrate it on new moon night.The beauty of festivals can only be perfectly enjoyed with friends and family, and blending modernity with tradition. Though people of these days lead busy lives, the arrival of festivals not only brings an excuse to take a break and but also meet up people who are important in their lives with greetings and sweets.When is Narak Chaturdashi celebrated? What is the significance of Narak Chaturdashi? How is Narak Chaturdashi celebrated and which rituals are followed on this day?Discuss here.
Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated as the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. This day is considered as one of the auspicious day by Hindus. Read on to learn about the importance of this day and rituals followed on this day.Festivals are an integral part of Indian life,each with its own significance. Celebrated in different forms all over the country, Diwali is popularly said to be the ‘festival of lights’. The second day of this five-day long festival is Narak Chaturdashi, falling on the fourteenth day of the dark half of the Ashwin month.
According to Hindu legend, this day commemorates the victory of Kali, Satyabhama and Krishna over Narakasura the demon-king. Naraka Chaturdashi falls on 29 October this year, and is also celebrated as ‘Chhoti Diwali’ or ‘Kali Puja’ in some places. It is believed that the day is auspicious to get rid of a hex, curse, black magic or bad luck.
Mythological Significance of Narak Chaturdashi
According to Hindu literature, Narakasura was a demon-king who had imprisoned 16,000 women which included the daughters of the Gods. He had also defeated the king of the Gods, Lord Indra and stolen the earrings from Aditi, the mother of the Gods. Goddess Kali, Goddess Satyabhama and Lord Krishna thus fought the battle with the demon and defeated him with Krishna’s Sudarshana Chakra and Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with Naraka’s blood.
‘Chhoti Diwali’
The day before Diwali is generally termed as ‘Chhoti Diwali’ or ‘Kali Puja’ in various parts of India. A thorough Pre-Diwali cleaning is done throughout the house to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Decorations are also put up at home and colourful Rangoli patterns are drawn at the doorstep and are lit with diyas to welcome the goddess on Diwali. Firecrackers are brought out in the evening and are burst by children and adults alike, spreading light across neighbourhoods. This particular custom is mostly followed in the northern and western parts of the country, though it is celebrated in the other parts as well.
‘Kali Puja’
The literal meaning of ‘Kali Chaudas’ is dark and fourteenth, the day when Kali Puja or Shakti Puja is done. Kali Puja is usually celebrated in the eastern part of the country, where people pray for protection against spiritual, emotional and physical adversities. Children seem to the most excited as they go shopping for firecrackers and Diwali bombs for the next evening.
Rituals
On this day, people wake up at sunrise and prepare for a scented oil bath, for which preparations are made the night before. The water-pots are cleaned and decorated with marigold flowers and mango leaves and the water is heated the next morning for use. Oil baths are hugely popular in Ayurveda, as they help in building immunity against accidental injuries or stress. It is also believed that those who take regular oil-baths possess a pleasant touch, becomes strong and remains youthful for longer.
The house is lit up with oil lamps and the ladies of the house perform aarti of the men. New clothes are worn by the family members and sweets are offered to God. Special sweets and savouries are distributed to family and friends such as Laddus, Chaklis, Sakkaparas, Badamhalwa and Poha.
Narak Chaturdarshi in Southern India
Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated in a special way in Goa, where paper-made effigies stuffed with grass and firecrackers are burst at four in the morning. Men take scented oil baths, while the women perform aarti for them. A bitter berry called the Kareeta is crushed under the feet which symbolises the killing of Narakasura, and the removal of evil and ignorance.
Gifts are exchanged and the atmosphere is filled with a mood of celebration and festivity. Different kinds of poha and sweets are prepared, offered to the God and enjoyed with family and friends.Diwali is usually celebrated on Narak Chaturdashi in south India, while others celebrate it on new moon night.
The beauty of festivals can only be perfectly enjoyed with friends and family, and blending modernity with tradition. Though people of these days lead busy lives, the arrival of festivals not only brings an excuse to take a break and but also meet up people who are important in their lives with greetings and sweets.
When is Narak Chaturdashi celebrated? What is the significance of Narak Chaturdashi? How is Narak Chaturdashi celebrated and which rituals are followed on this day?Discuss here. 
