Narak Chaturdashi

What is Narak Chaturdashi?

Narak Chaturdashi is a Hindu festival that is celebrated a day prior to Diwali, i.e. on Choti Diwali. It celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over demon Narakasura. This festival is also known as Kali Chaudas or Roop Chaudas.

In some Indian regions and cultures, it is believed that it was Goddess Kali who killed the Rakshasa Narakasura. Thus it is celebrated as Kali Chaudas.

Why is Narak Chaturdashi Celebrated?

Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali ended the evil deeds of Narakasura by killing him. This festival commemorates their victory. It is believed that Lord Krishna after killing the demon, during the time of Brahma Muhurta, took oil bath. This is why it is considered highly auspicious to take an oil bath before sunrise with complete rituals.

Narak Chaturdashi is an auspicious day to ward off all evil and negative energies from one’s life. It is a day of new beginnings when we get rid of our laziness and set the foundation of a bright and prosperous future.

When is Narak Chaturdashi?

Narak Chaturdashi is observed on the 14th day or Chaturdashi tithi of the Hindu month of Kartik Krishna Paksha

How is Narak Chaturdashi Celebrated?

There are various observances and rituals associated with the festival of Narak Chaturdashi :

• The devotees should take oil bath before Sunrise to attain maximum blessings.
• This day is celebrated as Choti Diwali in Northern India and Tamil Deepavali in South India. In Maharashtra, devotees celebrate this day as Abhyang Snan.
• Men, women and children alike wear new clothes, decorate their homes and enjoy delicious delicacies with their family and friends.
• Women bedeck their entire home with beautiful earthen lamps in order to welcome abundance, prosperity and happiness in their homes.
• Fireworks and crackers is also an important aspect of this festival.

How to do Narak Chaturdashi Pooja?

Narak Chaturdashi is one of the prominent festivals that is celebrated on the 2nd day Of Diwali. The process of Narak Chaturdashi Pooja is as follows:-

1. Take wooden chowki and place a red cloth at the place of the Pooja.
2. Place the picture of Lord Ganesh & Goddess Laxmi on the Chowki.
3. Take a plate and put a red cloth first over it and then place a few silver coins on the same.
4. Now, take a big plate, make swastika in the middle, put 11 diyas around and place a Diya with 4 faces in the middle of the plate.
5. Now add sugar in the 11 diyas, or you can add makhana, kheel or murmura as well.
6. Next important step is to light the 4 faced Diya first and then light other 11 diyas.
7. Now take roli and place tilak on Goddess Laxmi & Saraswati and Lord Ganesha with the combination of red colour and rice.
8. Now put a combination of roli and rice in all diyas and then perform Ganesh Laxmi Panchopchar Puja.
9. The next step is to light another diya and put it in the front of Goddess Laxmi’s picture.
10. Light agarbatti & dhoop and place flowers & sweets in front of the Goddess Laxmi’s picture.
11. Now barring the 7 diyas and one main 4 faced diya, take rest of the diyas and place them on the main entrance of the house.
12. Recite Laxmi Mantra “Shreem Swaha” for bare minimum 108 times and thank Lord Ganesh & Goddess Laxmi for their blessings.