Narak Chaturdashi is known as Roop Chaudas or Chhoti Diwali. In Hinduism, this is an important festival included in Deepotsav which is celebrated a day before Diwali. According to the Hindu calendar, every year the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali. That is why it is called Narak Chaturdashi. This time Chhoti Diwali is being celebrated on 30 October. However, the date is also falling on 31 October.
The festival of Diwali is related to Lord Shri Ram. King Ram of Ayodhya returned to his city after finishing fourteen years of exile. Deepotsav was held in this happiness and since then every year people welcome Lord Shri Ram by lighting lamps. It is said that when God comes home, wealth and good sense come home. That is why Lord Ganesha and Mother Lakshmi are worshiped on Diwali.
But do you know that the festival of Chhoti Diwali, which is celebrated a day before, is not associated with Lord Ram but with some other God. On this day, Ram ji or Ganesh Lakshmi are not worshipped. Let us know why Chhoti Diwali is called Narak Chaturdashi and which God is worshipped on Chhoti Diwali.
Which God is worshipped on Chhoti Diwali
Lord Shri Krishna is worshipped on Narak Chaturdashi. On this day, Yamraj, the god of death and Lakshmi ji, the goddess of wealth, are also worshipped. One should take a bath before sunrise on this day. According to the belief, Lord Krishna killed Narakasura on the day of Roop Chaudas and freed about 16,000 women from captivity. Lord Yamraj is worshipped on this day, hence no living being should be killed on this day.
Some things related to Narak Chaturdashi
Worship is done on the day of Narak Chaturdashi, but on this day you should take care of many other things so that happiness and prosperity will remain in the house. Let us know what things we should take care of.
One should take bath before sunrise on Roop Chaudas.
One should also apply tilak on the forehead on Roop Chaudas.
One should light a lamp in the name of Yamraj on Narak Chaturdashi.
The south side of the house should not be made dirty on Chhoti Diwali.
On the occasion of Narak Chaturdashi, one should pay full attention to the cleanliness of the house.
On Roop Chaudas, one should take bath in the morning and worship Lord Krishna.
On Narak Chaudas, the women of the house make a four-sided lamp and put sesame oil or mustard oil in it and light a lamp with four wicks at night.
It is believed that any devotee who worships Yamraj after taking bath in Brahma Muhurta on Roop Chaudas attains heaven and is saved from going to hell.
There is also a tradition of taking bath on Roop Chaudas by applying an ubtan.
(PC: ISTOCK)