Narak Chaturdashi 2011

This year, Narak Chaturdashi is on 25th October 2011, Tuesday 


Fourteenth day of Kartik Krishna?s known as Narak Chaturdashi. This day Lord Krishna killed Demon Narkasur. 


Bathing on this day is having religious importance. On this day to get rid of Narak (Hell), oil massage should be taken before bathing at the morning. At evening, deeps (lights) should be lightened for Yamraaj. At night, any odd numbers of deeps e.g. 11, 21 or 31 are lightened in the house (inside and outside both). 

Story of Narak Chaturdashi

In ancient times, there was a king known as Rantidev. He was very religious and kind in his past-life. Because of the good deeds of his past life, he became a good human being in the present life. When he was about to die and messengers of Yam came to take his sole, they said to him angrily, ?O King, we have come here to take you to the hell with us.? By hearing this, king was shocked and he asked them for the reason to taking him to the hell. They replied, ?O King, you are famous for your good deeds in this world knows however, your misdeeds are known only by the God.? King asked, ?Please do let me know about my misdeeds so that I can find out the solution for the same.? They replied, ?Once upon a time, a hungry Brahmin returns from your door and that is the reason you?ve to go to the Hell.? By hearing this, King requested to the messengers, ?Please give me only one year?s time.? Messengers accepted his request immediately and they went back. King went to the sages to find out the solution of this problem. Sages said to him, ?O King! On the fourteenth day of the Kartik Krishna Paksha you should fast and worship to Lord Krishna, feed the Brahmins, give them donations and alms, tell them about your previous offence, request them to forgive you for the same and then you will be free from all your misdeeds.? King did the same as he was suggested by the sages and he was forgiven from all his misdeeds and redirected towards the Vishnu Lok (Heaven).


At night drainages are lightened by deeps (lights) to keep away Narak. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi is entering in house only in the absence of Narak.


How to worship Narak Chaturdashi?
As mentioned above, Lord Krishna executed Demon Narkasur on this day so Lord Shri Krishana is worshipped with garland, incense sticks, deeps and rice by reciting below mantra:


Vasudev sutam devam, narkasur mardanam|
Devki parmanandam, krishnam vande jagadgurum||


People who are worshipping in this way are becoming free from all their sins.


This year Choti Diwali is on 25th October 2011, Wednesday.

This is celebrating on fourteenth day of the Kartik Krishna Paksha on the same day of Narak Chaturdashi and Roop Chaturdashi. On this day you must get up early in the morning, have facial with the paste of gram flour, wheat flour, turmeric and oil and then take the bath. Worship the god who are adorable to you. This must be done before lunch.

Worshiping on Choti Diwali

Take one four facing lamp and 16 small lamps, little oil and wicks (made by cotton) into a thali (big plate). Put these wicks inside the lamps and lightened all of the lamps. Afterwards, worship your clan's God and other who are adorable to you with roli (red powder), kheer, flowers, jaggery, incense sticks and colors. The prayers should be offered first at the work place by gents and thereafter by ladies at home. Thereafter work place and homes should be decorated with lamps. This should be done at the evening.