Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)

About

Naraka Chaturdashi is the second day of Diwali. It falls on Krishna paksha Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the dark half, in the month of Kartika in the Purnimanta calendar. In the Amanta calendar used in Gujarat, Maharashtra and the South, this day is Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi. The day is the same; only the month name differs.

It is also called Choti Diwali ("small Diwali") in North India, Kali Chaudas in Gujarat and nearby regions, and Roop Chaturdashi in some places. It is the day before the main Lakshmi Puja.

The key rite is an abhyanga snan, a ritual bath with oil, taken before sunrise during the time when the Chaturdashi tithi is present at the moment of dawn. The site shows the correct bath window for your city.

Significance and stories

The name comes from the demon king Narakasura, who ruled Pragjyotisha and imprisoned thousands. In the Vaishnava account, Lord Krishna, aided by Satyabhama, defeated him. As he died, Narakasura asked that his death be remembered with joy and light, which is why this day is celebrated with lamps.

The bath is a symbol of washing away negativity and laziness before the new year. In some traditions it is also said to free a person from the fear of death, with a lamp offered to Yama.

In Gujarat and nearby regions, Chaturdashi night is Kali Chaudas, when Goddess Kali or Mahakali is worshipped, and some people also pray to Hanuman. In some regions the day is seen as the time to guard against negative energies; this belief is cultural and not universal. Many families skip these and simply keep the oil bath and lamps.

How to observe (puja vidhi)

1. Wake before sunrise and rub the body with sesame (til) oil, then apply ubtan, a paste of gram flour, turmeric and fragrant herbs.
2. Take the ritual bath, ideally during the muhurat shown for your city. Some add leaves of the apamarga plant in the water, a custom followed in some regions.
3. Wear new or clean clothes, and apply tilak.
4. Offer prayers to Krishna or Vishnu. Offer sweets and fruit.
5. At dusk, light lamps at the home entrance, courtyard and in the kitchen.
6. Light a lamp for Yama to the south in some families, as on Dhanteras.
7. In Gujarat and nearby regions, perform the night worship of Kali or Hanuman if your family does so.

Puja items (samagri)

• Sesame oil, ubtan (gram flour, turmeric, milk or oil)
• Fresh or new clothes
• Diyas, ghee or oil, wicks, flowers, incense
• Images of Krishna, Vishnu, Kali or Hanuman as per tradition
• Sweets, fruit, rice, kumkum

Fasting and food

There is no fast on this day. After the morning bath, a festive breakfast is eaten. In Maharashtra, it is customary to eat poha and faral, such as chivda, ladoo, karanji, shankarpali and anarsa. In the South, Deepavali marundhu (a herbal digestive paste) and sweets are shared.

Regional customs

In Maharashtra, the bath is called Abhyang Snan and is the festive first morning of Diwali, with a family gathering and sweets. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra, Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day of Deepavali, with a pre-dawn oil bath, new clothes, fireworks and a special meal. Lakshmi Puja there may happen on the next day. In Gujarat, Kali Chaudas is observed at night. In Bengal, this day is Bhoot Chaturdashi, when fourteen lamps are lit and fourteen kinds of leafy greens are eaten; Kali Puja itself is held the next night, on Amavasya. In some places, Chaturdashi and Amavasya fall together or the dates shift by a day. Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance.

Celebrating in the USA

The ideal bath window falls before sunrise, which in autumn and winter is often early morning before work. A warm oil massage and bath before the commute works well; just wait at least a few minutes after applying oil before showering, and take care not to slip in the tub. Til oil, ubtan and puja items are sold at Indian stores or online. If you wish, do the bath on a weekend morning at a more relaxed pace and keep the lamps for the evening.

Community events are rare on this day; most celebrations happen at Lakshmi Puja. Check the site for the correct tithi, as it can span two days, and for the sunrise-based bath time for your city.