Diwali days · Krishna, Kali, Yama and Hanuman
Narak Chaturdashi
The day before Diwali: an early bath, lamps against darkness, and the memory of Krishna defeating Narakasura.
Also known as: Chhoti Diwali, Kali Chaudas, Roop Chaudas, Naraka Chaturdashi
Date and muhurat
✓ 28.6519°N, 77.2315°E · Asia/Kolkata
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When is it observed?
The fourteenth tithi (Chaturdashi) of the dark half of Kartik by the purnimanta count (Ashwin by the amanta count), the day before the Diwali new-moon night. The bath is taken in the pre-dawn hours when Chaturdashi is present at moonrise.
About Narak Chaturdashi
Narak Chaturdashi is the second day of the Diwali season and is popularly called Chhoti (little) Diwali. Before sunrise, people rub the body with sesame or other oil and a paste of gram flour and herbs, then bathe, wearing new or clean clothes, an act known as Abhyang Snan.
After the bath, lamps are lit in the house, and in many places in the evening a lamp is also lit for Yama. In western India the day is Kali Chaudas, when the goddess Kali and Hanuman are worshipped, and in some regions it is called Roop Chaudas for the custom of beautifying oneself.
Significance
The day stands for the removal of what is dark in life, whether outward or inward. The early bath is meant as a cleansing before the main Diwali, and Narakasura is seen as a symbol of selfish and cruel tendencies that need to be defeated in each person.
Traditionally the bath is also believed to wash away the fear of an unhappy end, and lighting the lamp is thought to keep away negative influences. Beyond this, the day gives families a gentle, intimate start to the celebrations: sweets are made, houses are decorated and children excitedly prepare for the next night.
Abhyang Snan and the evening lamps
- 1Wake in the pre-dawn hours, before sunrise, within the stated Abhyang Snan muhurat.
- 2Massage the body with sesame or mustard oil, then apply a paste (ubtan) of gram flour, turmeric and fragrant herbs.
- 3Bathe, traditionally with apamarga leaves added to the water or a twig of the plant waved over the head, and wear new or clean clothes.
- 4Apply a tilak, make an offering to Krishna and pray; some families sing his praises or recite his names.
- 5In the evening, light lamps at the door, the courtyard and the house. Light one for Yama facing south.
- 6In Gujarat and nearby regions, worship Kali or Hanuman at night, and make an offering of sweets and oil lamps.
- 7Prepare sweets and snacks, decorate the home with rangoli and get ready for the Lakshmi Puja the next evening.
The story
Narakasura, the demon king of Pragjyotishpur, grew arrogant with the boons he had received and became a tyrant. He seized the earrings of Aditi, the mother of the gods, and held thousands of women captive. The gods appealed to Krishna for help.
Krishna rode into battle with his wife Satyabhama, who in some versions is the one who struck the final blow, since Narakasura was fated to die only at the hands of his mother, the earth (Bhumi), of whom she is regarded as an incarnation. (In some regions the demon's slayer is said to be Kali.) After the demon's death on this day Krishna freed the captives, and the people rubbed oil and perfumes on their bodies and lit lamps in celebration, which is the origin of the bath and lamps.
What to do
- ✓Take the oil bath within the stated pre-dawn muhurat.
- ✓Light lamps at the entrance and in the courtyard in the evening.
- ✓Wear new or clean clothes after the bath.
- ✓Offer a lamp for Yama facing south.
- ✓Prepare the home and sweets for the Lakshmi Puja.
What to avoid
- ✕Do not skip the early bath if you keep the custom; avoid sleeping late.
- ✕Avoid anger, quarrels and harsh words.
- ✕Do not leave dark corners without a lamp.
- ✕Avoid wasting oil and food in the preparations.
- ✕Do not light fireworks carelessly near people and animals.
Around the country
- South India: in Tamil Nadu and much of the south, Deepavali itself is celebrated on this morning, with a pre-dawn oil bath, new clothes, sweets and fireworks at daybreak.
- Maharashtra: Abhyang Snan with ubtan is a family event, followed by a special breakfast and visits.
- Gujarat and Rajasthan: Kali Chaudas is observed with worship of Kali and Hanuman, especially at night.
- Bengal: the day is Bhoot Chaturdashi, when fourteen lamps are lit and fourteen kinds of leafy greens are eaten.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Chhoti Diwali?
Because it falls the day before the main Diwali night and is observed with lamps, sweets and family gatherings, as a smaller preview of the great festival.
What is the difference between Narak Chaturdashi and Kali Chaudas?
They fall on the same tithi. Narak Chaturdashi highlights the early bath and Krishna's victory over Narakasura, while Kali Chaudas, kept in the west, emphasises the night worship of Kali.
Why is the bath taken before sunrise?
Tradition holds that the bath done in the early hours of this day, in the muhurat when the tithi is present, is the most auspicious. The times on this page are calculated for your city.