Narak Chaturdashi

Narak Chaturdashi is popularly known as 'Chhoti Diwali'. This is because it is observed just before the day of 'Deepavali'.

Why do we celebrate Narak Chaturdashi?

There was a demon named, Narakasur who was then the king of Pragjyotishpur. He had stolen the precious earrings of Aditi (the mother of devas) as well as imprisoned 16000 princesses in his abode. Satyabhama (Krishna's wife) became very angry when she came to know this truth. She along with lord Krishna came to free the innocent captives. Satyabhama fought a war against Narakasur and successfully defeated him. The earrings were recovered and the princesses were set free from the prison. However, the women requested lord Krishna to marry them as they were afraid that they would not be accepted by their families and the society anymore. They said that they would commit suicide if he didn't listen to their request. Understanding their vulnerable situation, lord Krishna respectfully accepted all of them as his spouses that provided them an honourable life to live.

This day is also called as 'Bali Pratipada'. Bali was the grandson of Pralhad, and was the son of King Virochana and Queen Devamba. He followed the path of his grandfather of devotion, generosity and righteousness. He was a great devotee of lord Vishnu as well as a powerful king. However, he was the king of the asuras (demons). He was ruling over the trilokas (all the three worlds). The gods were frightened that under his rule, the demons could take the advantage and oppress them.

Following the advice of guru Shukracharya, King Bali was performing ashwamedh yajna. It was then lord Vishnu who took the Vamana avtaar- the dwarf form and appeared infront of the King Bali. He asks the King to give him only 3 feet of land. As he had promised himself that he would not refuse anyone, he granted the dwarf his wish. The dwarf (the lord) took a magnified form of himself and covered the entire bhuloka (earth) and swargloka (heaven) only with his two footsteps. When no place was left, the king offered his head to place the third step upon him. Lord Vishnu did so and sent him to pataal loka (nether land). Lord was impressed by his selfless service, devotion, and love towards him. King Bali requested lord Vishnu to allow him to visit earth once a year in order to ensure that his people are happy, fulfilled, and living a good life. It is said that he comes on this day every year- on the 14th day of Krishn paksha during the Hindu month of Kartika.

How is the day celebrated?

People pray to Lord Vishnu to seek his blessings. Lord Krishna and Bhudevi in the form of Satyabhama are also worshipped on this day. In Southern India, this day is celebrated primarily rather than the main Diwali and even in some regions, the puppets of Narakasur are burnt to signify the win of good over evil. In eastern India especially Odisha, Bengal and Assam, Maa Kaali is worshipped as well. It is believed that goddess Parvati took her most fierce form, 'Kaali' to protect her children from the havoc of several powerful demons. On this day, people wake up early morning before the sunrise and take oil bath called, Abhyanga snan to purify their body. They light diyas (lamps) in their homes to cleanse their soul and honour the beautiful day, symbolising destruction of darkness. The day represents victory of goodness, the triumph of light over darkness.