Naraka Chaturdashi is a Hindu festival, which falls on the second day of the festival of Diwali. The day is popularly known as Chhoti Diwali. The message of Naraka Chaturdashi Parva is that the good of the society should always prevail over one’s own personal bonds. It is interesting to note that Bhudevi, mother of the slain demon Naraka, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice.
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When is Naraka Chaturdashi in 2015?
As per Hindu calendar, Naraka Chaturdashi (नरक चतुर्दशी) is observed a day before Diwali i.e. 14th day of dark half of Ashwin month. First day of Diwali is celebrated as Dhanteras. Second day is commonly known as Chhhoti (Small) Diwali. The day is celebrated with same zeal and joy as the main Diwali but it is on comparatively lower scale. Just like diwali people light diyas on chhoti diwali to fill their homes with light, worship Goddess Laxmi, burst firecrackers but all these things are not as grand as they are on the day of main diwali.
Naraka Chaturdashi 2015 – Chhoti Diwali:
Kali means Dark (eternal) and Chaudas – Fourteenth. Thus, celebrated on the 14th day of the dark half of Kartik month, Kali Chaudas is the day allotted to the worship of Mahakali or Shakti and is believed that on this day Kali killed the most wicked Narakasura. The legend of Narakasur is important in history as he established a vast kingdom in Assam after overthrowing the last Danava king ‘Ghatakasura’.
Narakasur became evil in the company of another Asura, Banasura. He was doped in power as he knew that there is no match to him on earth. He got all the kingdoms of earth under his control. Next, he placed his eyes on ‘Swargaloka’. Even lord Indra could not withstand his assault and left the heaven. Then Narakasur became the Lord of Heaven as well as Earth. He was badly addicted to his power and in that state, he stole the earrings of Aditi, the mother of Gods. He also took some of her territory and kidnapped 16000 women. On this special day Kali killed the most wicked Narakasura and it is celebrated every year by performing puja of the Goddess Kali who had killed the demon named Narakasura. That’s why the day is known as “Narak-Chaturdashi”
Kali Chaudas 2015 – The Second Day of Diwali Celebrations:
People create Rangoli on the floor. At dusk, Diyas and candles are lit in the house to mark the celebration of Chhoti Diwali. On this day, people also burst firecrackers but on small scale compare to main Diwali.
- In Maharashtra also, traditional early baths with oil and “Uptan” (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders are a `must’. All through the ritual of baths, deafening sounds of crackers and fireworks are there in order that the children enjoy bathing
- In South-India, people wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, which is called ‘Ubtan’, on their foreheads and then take bath. The breaking of fruit represents the head of Narakasura and the Kumkum oil or paste symbolizes the blood that Lord Krishna smeared on his forehead as a symbol of his victory.
- “In Bengal and east India, this day is called Kali Chaudas and celebrated as the birthday of Ma Kali. In Bengal Kali Ma’s murti’s are set up in pandals and Kali puja is performed on this day.”
- The southwestern Indian state of Goa has a unique way of celebrating Naraka Chaturdashi. Effigies of the demon Narkasura are created over many months and then paraded through the streets through the day and into the evening. The parade(s) conclude with the burning of these effigies (which are often filled with fire crackers and other combustible materials!) and bursting of crackers and other associated revelry.