| Naraka Chaturdashi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also called | Roop Chaturdashi Kali Chaturdashi Bhoot Chaturdashi |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Religious |
| Significance | Commemoration of the victory of Krishna over Narakasura |
| Observances | Prayers, religious rituals |
| Date | 29 Ashvin (amanta tradition) 14 Kartika (purnimanta tradition) |
| 2025 date | 19 October |
| Frequency | annual |
| Explanatory note on Hindu festival dates | |
|---|---|
TheHindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements:māsa (lunar month),pakṣa (lunar fortnight) andtithi (lunar day). Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz.amānta /pūrṇimānta. If a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. A lunar year is shorter than a solar year by about eleven days. As a result, most Hindu festivals occur on different days in successive years on the Gregorian calendar. | |
Naraka Chaturdashi (also known asKali Chaudas,Narak Chaudas,Roop Chaudas,Choti Diwali,[1]Narak Nivaran Chaturdashi andBhoot Chaturdashi) is an annual Hindu festival that falls onChaturdashi (the 14th day) of theKrishna Paksha in theHindu calendar month ofAshvin (according to theamanta tradition) orKartika (according to thepurnimanta tradition).[2] It is the second day of the five-day long festival ofDiwali (also known asDeepavali). Hindu literature narrates that theasura (demon)Narakasura (sometimes translated as hell or a demon from hell, lit. [nr/nar] “man” and [aka] “unhappiness: man's unhappiness") was killed on this day byKrishna andSatyabhama.[3][1] The day is celebrated by early morning religious rituals, followed by festivities.
The festival is also calledKali Chaudas, whereKali means dark (eternal) andChaudas means fourteenth, since it is celebrated on the 14th day of the lunar month ofKārtika orKrishna Paksha.[2][4] In some regions of India, Kali Chaudas is the day allotted for the worship ofMahakali orShakti. Kali Chaudas is the day to abolish laziness and evil, which create hell in our life and to instead inspire light and positive energy. The god of death,Yama, is also worshipped on this day by lighting a lamp which is believed to protect one from the sufferings ofnaraka ("the unhappiness of man").[2][5]
Thepuja is performed with oil, flowers, and sandalwood. Coconuts are also offered toHanuman alongside aprasada of sesame seeds,jaggery and rice flakes (poha) with ghee and sugar.
The rituals of Naraka Chaturdashi are strongly suggestive of the origin ofDiwali as a harvest festival.[citation needed] On this day, delicacies are prepared from pounded semi-cooked rice (poha/pova). This rice is taken from the fresh harvest available at that time. This custom is prevalent both in rural and urban areas, especially inWestern India.
On this day, a head wash and application ofkajal in the eyes is believed to keep away thekali nazar (evil eye). Some say that those who are intotantra learn theirmantras on this day. Alternatively, people offer Nivet is local to where they are originally from. This goddess is called theirKula Devi, in order to cast off evil spirits. Some families also offer food to their ancestors on this day. The second day ofDeepavali is known as Kali Chaudas inRajasthan andGujarat.[6]
On this day, Hindus get up earlier than usual. Abhyanga i.e. massaging the whole body and head with sesome or medical oils is followed by Udvartan i.e Ubtan application before bathing..[7] Afterwards, clean clothes are worn. A large breakfast is enjoyed with relatives and friends. The evening is celebrated with fireworks. Special sweet dishes are served as part of the midday meal. Houses are lit with oil lamps during the evening.
InGoa, paper-made effigies ofNarakasura, filled with grass and firecrackers symbolising evil, are made. These effigies are burnt early in the morning, firecrackers are burst, and people return home to take a scented oil bath. Lamps are lit in a line. The women of the house performaarti for the men, gifts are exchanged, a bitter berry (kareet) is crushed under the feet in token of killing Narakasura, symbolising the removal of evil and ignorance. Different varieties ofpoha and sweets are made and eaten with family and friends.[8]
In the Indian state ofWest Bengal andBangladesh, the day before the Kali Puja is observed asBhoot Chaturdashi. It is believed on the eve of this dark night, the souls of the deceased come down to earth to visit their dear ones. It is also believed that the 14 forefathers of a family visit their living relatives, and so 14diyas are placed all around the house to guide them homewards and especially to chase away the evil ones. Every dark corner and nook are illuminated with light.[9]Abhyanga Snan (oil bath) on Narak Chaturdashi day holds a special significance in a person's life. It is always done during the presence of moon but before sunrise while ChaturdashiTithi is prevailing. This bath is done after Abhyanga i.e. massaging the whole body and head with sesome or medical oils followed by Udvartan i.e Ubtan application. ubtan helps protect the persons from poverty, unforeseen events, misfortune, etc.
InTamil Nadu,[10] Deepavali is traditionally celebrated on Naraka Chathurdasi day, while the rest of India celebrates it on the new moon night (Amavasya), which is the next day. In some parts ofSouth India, this is also called Deepavali Bhogi. People get up earlier and celebrate with oil baths, aarti,pooja, and festivals. Firecrackers are usually lit on Deepavali. Some Tamil homes observenombu and doLakshmi Puja on this day. InKarnataka, Maharashtra the festival of Deepavali starts from this day i.e., Naraka Chathurdashi with early morning traditional oil bath, aarti followed by bursting firecrackers and extends till Bali Padyami, which is the main day of Deepavali celebration, when cows are decorated and worshipped.
