Let us know when is Narak Chaturdashi in 2021 and the date and time of Narak Chaturdashi 2021. Narak Chaturdashi is a festival celebrated on the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha of the month of Kartik. It is also called Narak Chaudas, Roop Chaudas and Roop Chaturdashi. According to mythological belief, there is a law to worship Yamraj, the god of death, on this day. Narak Chaturdashi is also known as Choti Diwali because it is celebrated just a day before Diwali. On Narak Chaturdashi, diyas are lit in the evening. On this day Yamraj is worshipped and wished for freedom from premature death and better health. Apart from this, bathing on the morning of the fourteenth day of the morning before the sun rises, after applying sesame oil on the body and putting the leaves of apamarga (chichdi) in water, one gets freedom from the fear of hell and one attains heaven.
Scripture rule of Narak Chaturdashi
According to two different traditions, Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month.
- Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated on the day of Chaturdashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha, when there is moon rise or Arunodaya (usually 1 hour 36 minutes before sunrise). Although the law of celebrating Chaturdashi on Arunodaya is most prevalent.
- If Chaturdashi Tithi touches Arunodaya or Moon rise on both the days, then there is a law to celebrate Narak Chaturdashi on the first day. Apart from this, even if Chaturdashi Tithi does not touch Arunodaya or Moon Rise, Narak Chaturdashi should be celebrated on the very first day.
- There is a tradition of doing oil abhyanga (massage) and Yama Tarpan on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi before sunrise or when the moon rises.
Narak Chaturdashi worship method
- On Narak Chaturdashi, it is important to take a bath in the morning before sunrise. During this, the body should be massaged with sesame oil, after that Apamarga i.e. Chirchira (medicinal plant) should be rotated three times around the top of the head.
- Before Naraka Chaturdashi, on the day of Ahoi Ashtami of Kartik Krishna Paksha, a lotus is kept filled with water. On the day of Narak Chaturdashi, it is a tradition to take bath by mixing the water of this lotus with the bathing water. It is believed that by doing this one gets freedom from the fear of hell.
- After bathing, pray to Yamraj with folded hands towards the south. By doing this the sins committed by a person throughout the year are destroyed.
- On this day, for the purpose of Yamraj, put a lamp of oil outside the main door of the house.
- After worshiping all the deities in the evening on Narak Chaturdashi, light oil lamps and keep them on both sides of the door frame, outside the house, and at the entrance of the workplace. It is believed that by doing this Lakshmi ji always resides in the house.
- Narak Chaturdashi is also called Roop Chaturdashi or Roop Chaudas, so Lord Krishna should be worshiped on Roop Chaturdashi, by doing so beauty is attained.
- On this day, in Nishith Kaal (midnight time), useless items should be thrown from the house. This tradition is called Daridraya Nisarana. It is believed that Lakshmi ji enters the house on Deepawali, the day after Narak Chaturdashi, so the poor should be removed from the house.
Significance and Mythology of Narak Chaturdashi
The lighting of lamps on Narak Chaturdashi has religious and mythological significance. On this day, the darkness is dispelled from the beam of light by the light of diyas in the evening. For this reason, Narak Chaturdashi is also called Choti Deepawali. There are many mythological and worldly beliefs regarding lighting diyas on the day of Narak Chaturdashi.
- Slaughter of the demon Narakasura: In ancient times, a demon named Narakasura had harassed the deities and sages with his powers. Narakasura’s atrocities started increasing so much that he took 16,000 women of gods and saints hostage. Disturbed by the atrocities of Narakasura, all the gods and sages went to the shelter of Lord Krishna. After this Lord Krishna assured everyone to get rid of the terror of Narakasura. Narakasura was cursed to die at the hands of a woman, so Lord Krishna with the help of his wife Satyabhama killed Narakasura on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month and freed 16 thousand women from his captivity. Later all these women came to be known as 16 thousand Pat Ranis of Lord Shri Krishna.
After the killing of Narakasura, people lit diyas in their homes on the new moon of Kartik month and since then the festival of Naraka Chaturdashi and Deepawali started being celebrated. - Story of Daityaraj Bali: In another legend, there is a mention of the boon given to Daityaraj Bali by Lord Krishna. It is believed that Lord Vishnu measured the kingdom of Daityaraj Bali in three steps between Trayodashi to Amavasya at the time of Vamana Avatar. King Bali, who was a great donor, seeing, donated his entire kingdom to Lord Vamana. Lord Vamana then asked Bali to ask for a boon. Daityaraj Bali said that my kingdom should remain in my kingdom every year during these three days from Trayodashi to Amavasya. During this time, the person who celebrates Deepawali in my kingdom, should Lakshmi reside in his house and on Chaturdashi, donate lamps for hell, all their ancestors should not stay in hell and Yamraj should not torture them.
Lord Vamana was pleased after listening to King Bali and granted him a boon. After this boon, the practice of fasting, worship and lamp donation started on Narak Chaturdashi.
Narak Chaturdashi has great importance in Hinduism because of its religious and mythological significance. It is the festival that resides in the middle of the series of five festivals. Dhan Teras, Narak Chaturdashi, or Choti Diwali are celebrated two days before Deepawali and then Deepawali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj are celebrated. One gets freedom from the fear of hell by donating lamps and praying for Yamraj on Narak Chaturdashi.
Narak Chaturdashi has great importance in Hinduism because of its religious and mythological significance. It is the festival that resides in the middle of the series of five festivals. Dhan Teras, Narak Chaturdashi, or Choti Diwali are celebrated two days before Deepawali and then Deepawali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj are celebrated. One gets freedom from the fear of hell by donating lamps and praying for Yamraj on Narak Chaturdashi.
