Naraka Chaturdashi
Naraka Chaturdashi | |
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Hindus | |
Type | Religious |
Significance | Commemoration of the victory of Krishna over Narakasura |
Observances | Prayers, religious rituals |
Date | 29 Ashvin (amanta tradition) 14 Kartika (purnimanta tradition) |
2023 date | 12 November |
Frequency | annual |
Hindu festival dates The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: māsa (lunar month), pakṣa (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. amānta / pūrṇimānta. If a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. A lunar year is shorter than a solar year by about eleven days. As a result, most Hindu festivals occur on different days in successive years on the Gregorian calendar. | |
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Naraka Chaturdashi (also known as Kali Chaudas, Narak Chaudas, Roop Chaudas, Choti Diwali,
Meaning in Hinduism
The festival is also called Kali Chaudas, where Kali means dark (eternal) and Chaudas means fourteenth, since it is celebrated on the 14th day of the lunar month of
Rituals associated
The
and rice flakes (poha) with ghee and sugar.The rituals of Naraka Chaturdashi are strongly suggestive of the origin of Diwali as a harvest festival.[citation needed] On this day, delicacies are prepared from pounded semi-cooked rice (poha/pova). This rice is taken from the fresh harvest available at that time. This custom is prevalent both in rural and urban areas, especially in Western India.
On this day, a head wash and application of
On this day, Hindus get up earlier than usual. Abhyanga i.e. massaging the whole body and head with sesome or medical oils is followed by Udvartan i.e Ubtan application before bathing..[7] Afterwards, clean clothes are worn. A large breakfast is enjoyed with relatives and friends. The evening is celebrated with fireworks. Special sweet dishes are served as part of the midday meal. Houses are lit with oil lamps during the evening.
In
In the Indian state of West Bengal and Bangladesh, the day before the Kali Puja is observed as Bhoot Chaturdashi. It is believed on the eve of this dark night, the souls of the deceased come down to earth to visit their dear ones. It is also believed that the 14 forefathers of a family visit their living relatives, and so 14 diyas are placed all around the house to guide them homewards and especially to chase away the evil ones. Every dark corner and nook are illuminated with light.[9] Abhyanga Snan (oil bath) on Narak Chaturdashi day holds a special significance in a person's life. It is always done during the presence of moon but before sunrise while Chaturdashi Tithi is prevailing. This bath is done after Abhyanga i.e. massaging the whole body and head with sesome or medical oils followed by Udvartan i.e Ubtan application. ubtan helps protect the persons from poverty, unforeseen events, misfortune, etc.
In Tamil Nadu,[10] Deepavali is traditionally celebrated on Naraka Chathurdasi day, while the rest of India celebrates it on the new moon night (Amavasya), which is the next day. In some parts of South India, this is also called Deepavali Bhogi. People get up earlier and celebrate with oil baths, aarti, pooja, and festivals. Firecrackers are usually lit on Deepavali. Some Tamil homes observe nombu and do Lakshmi Puja on this day. In Karnataka, the festival of Deepavali starts from this day i.e., Naraka Chathurdashi with early morning traditional oil bath, aarti followed by bursting firecrackers and extends till Bali Padyami, which is the main day of Deepavali celebration, when cows are decorated and worshipped.
References
- ^ a b "Naraka Chaturdashi | religious observance | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8239-3180-4.
- ISBN 978-8172111953. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- ISBN 978-0-7425-6237-0.
- ISBN 978-81-206-0708-8.
- ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9.
- ^ Edwardes, Stephen Meredyth; Bombay (Presidency) (1909). The Gazetteer of Bombay City and Island ... Printed at the Time Press. p. 174.
- ^ Sakhardande, Prajal. "Diwali and the Narkasur Battle". The Navahind times. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ "Narak Chaturdashi: Why Kali Chaudas or Narak Chaturdashi Puja So Important!". Vamtantra. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
- ^ "Diwali - Tamilnadu Tourism Travels". tamilnadutourism.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.