Naraka Chaturdashi

Naraka Chaturdashi also known as ‘Naraka Nivaran Chaturdashi’ is a significant festival for Hindu followers. It is observed on the ‘Chaturdashi’ or the fourteenth day of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight) in month of ‘Kartik’ as per the Hindu calendar. It falls during the month of October-November according to the Gregorian calendar. Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated as the second day of the 5-day long celebrations of Diwali, the most important festival for Hinduism followers. The festival celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna after defeating a demon named ‘Narakasur’. It is also celebrated as ‘Hanuman Jayanti’ that is the birthday of Lord Hanuman.

Naraka Chaturdashi is also referred to as ‘Chotti Diwali’ or ‘Roop Chaturdashi’. Being a part of Diwali, the grand festival of lights, Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated in every part of the country with full enthusiasm and dedication. The celebrations are very grand in the northern states of India. In the southern states of India and the state of Maharashtra, the festival of Naraka Chaturdashi is marked by glorified and elaborate bathing rituals. In the Indian state of Goa, Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated in a unique way. Huge effigies of Narkasura are prepared for months in advance and paraded on the streets all through the day. Later in the evening, the event is ended by burning these effigies and other linked revelry. In the eastern part of the country, especially the state of West Bengal, Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated as the birthday of Goddess Kali and known by the name of ‘Kali Chaudas’. Magnificent pandals for Maa Kali are created and a special puja is also performed.

Naraka Chaturdashi is observed as a day to eliminate all evil and idleness from our life. devotees worship their deities to seek their blessings to eradicate all wickedness and also bring a new dawn into their life. the day of Naraka Chaturdashi is also considered favourable for persons practicing tantra as by reciting the mantras on this day they can increase their tantra power. Besides in the Hindu traditions, the day of Naraka Chaturdashi has its own significance. As on this day, Mother Earth (Bhumi) killed Narakasur, her son for his misdeeds, much in same way parents should prevent their children from going on a wrong path. The custom of ‘Deep Daan’ (donating earthen pots) is also an important ritual observed on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi.

Naraka Chaturdashi is a joyful and fun-filled event. Mouth-watering delicacies together with the sounds of bursting firecrackers make the whole atmosphere more lively and entertaining. People enjoy the scrumptious spread of meal together with their friends and relatives and there is merriment in the air, everywhere.

Rituals of Naraka Chaturdashi:

• The most important ritual of Naraka Chaturdashi is getting up early, before sunrise and applying ‘Ubatan’ (a paste of oil, herbs, flower and other essential beautifying ingredients). This is followed by a bath. This is known as ‘Abhyang Snan’. It is a belief that by performing this ritual on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi a person will be freed from the sufferings of Hell. However, in failing to do so, they go straight to Hell. Also on this day, it is believed that by getting your heads washed and applying kajal, one can ward off ‘Kali Nazar’ or evil’s eye. There is also a practice of wearing new clothes after the holy bath.
• Just like Diwali, people light up their homes on Naraka Chaturdashi with diyas and lamps. All the members of the family come together to worship Goddess Lakshmi. Varied offerings are made to the Goddess and special prayers are offered to seek Her divine blessings. After the puja, family members, especially children, also burst crackers.
• Some devotees also observe a fast on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi. The observer of the fast, worships Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber with full devotion and break their fast after completing all the puja rituals.
• As Naraka Chaturdashi is also celebrated at ‘Hanuman Jayanti’, on this special puja is offered to Lord Hanuman. The deity is worshipped with flowers, oil and sandalwood. Special ‘Prasad’ is prepared from rice flakes, sesame seeds and jaggery and offered to the Lord, along with coconut. On the day of Naraka Chaturdashi, several delicacies are prepared from hand pounded rice. The rice used in these preparations is taken from the fresh harvest. This tradition is more predominant in the urban and rural areas of the Western India.
• In some parts of the country, people also worship their ‘Kul Devi’ on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi. This is done to keep away evil spirits. On this day, some families also make food offerings to their forefathers to receive their blessings.

2017 Date : 18th October.