Narak Chaturdashi 2023

Narka Chaturdashi is a festival celebrated on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. It is also called Narka Chaudas, Roop Chaudas, and Roop Chaturdashi. According to the mythological belief, on this day, there is a law to worship the God of Death' Yamaraja'. It is also known as 'Chhoti Diwali' as it is celebrated a day before Diwali. People worship Yamraja for better health and freedom from premature death. Also, before the sunrise, crab leaves mixed with sesame oil are applied to the body. After using this mix, one gets freedom from hell and goes to heaven.

इस पेज को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए “नरक चतुर्दशी” पर क्लिक करें।

Rules of Nark Chaturdashi

1. On the 14th day of Krishna Paksha, Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated when the Moon rises. Although celebrating this during daybreak is most common. 
2. If the Chaturdashi date falls on both Moon rise and day break, then it is supposed to be celebrated on the very first day. Apart from this, if Chaturdashi Tithi does not touch Arunodaya or Lunar Uday, then Narak Chaturdashi should be celebrated on the first day. Before the moonrise or during the daybreak, there is a ritual to apply sesame oil and do Yam Tarpan. 

Narka Chatudarshi Worship Method

1. On this day it is essential to take a bath early in the morning. And massage your body with sesame oil. And then rotate the plant above your head in all directions three times. 
2. On the day of Ahoi Ashtami of Kartik Krishna Paksha before Narak Chaturdashi, water is stored in a vessel. On Narak Chaturdashi, this water is mixed with the bathing water. It is a ritual because it is believed that one gets freedom from hell by doing this. This also nullifies all the wrongdoings of a person.
3. Diya, for Yamraja, should be placed on the main gate of the house. 
4. In the evening, after worshipping all Gods and Goddesses, oil diyas should be placed at the front, outside the home and workplace. Laxmi ji blesses that house forever if this is done. 
5. During midnight, we should throw away useless things. It is believed that the next day is Diwali and Goddess Laxmi will come, so cleaning of the house is necessary, 

Importance of Narak Chaturdashi

Lightning diya on this day has mythological and religious significance. This is so because the bright light of diyas overshadows the darkness of the night. This is why it is also called Chhoti Diwali. 

Naraka Chaturdashi Mythological Stories

1. Slaying of Demon Narakasura:

Once upon a time, there was a demon called Narkasur. He used to trouble all Gods and Goddesses. He had special powers, and he used them excessively. His torture grew so much that he kidnapped sixteen thousand females and made them hostages. Gods got frustrated with this behavior and went to Lord Krishna for help. Lord Krishna assured everyone that he would help them. Demon Narkasura had a curse that he will die by a woman. So Lord Krishna sent his wife Satyabhama to kill the demon. The demon was killed on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik Month. Later all these women became known as 16 thousand queens of Lord Shri Krishna. After the demon's defeat, Chatudarshi was celebrated. 

2. Legend of the Demon King: 

In another legend, It is believed that Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of Vaman measured the kingdom of the demon king Bali in 3 steps between the period of Trayodashi to Amavasya. King Bali, who was the supreme donor, seeing this, donated his entire kingdom to Lord Vamana. After this, Lord Vaman asked Bali to ask for a boon. 

Daityaraj Bali said that Lord, my kingdom should remain every year on these three days from Trayodashi to Amavasya. During this time, a person who celebrates Diwali in my domain should live in Lakshmi's house and donate lamps for hell on Chaturdashi. All their ancestors should not stay in hell and do not bear the torture of Yamraj. Vamana was pleased and gave him a boon. After this boon, the practice of Narak Chaturdashi  became prevalent and the lamp donation started.

Narak Chaturdashi is of great importance in Hinduism because of its religious and mythological significance. It is a festival in the middle of a series of five festivals. Two days before Deepawali, Dhan Teres, Narak Chaturdashi, or Chhoti Diwali and then Deepawali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj are celebrated. By donating and praying on the Narak Chaturdashi, one gets freedom from the fear of hell.

What to do on Chaturdashi?

1. Take a bath and wear new neat clothes. After the bath, apply tilak on your forehead using roli. Then face towards the south and pour the sesame water to Yamraja. 

2. Light diyas in Mandir, Kitchen, under trees of basil, peepal, banyan, amla, and mango. Etc. 

3. Light char mukhi Deepak in the south direction and pray to Yamraj to forgive all our mistakes. 

4. Light diyas at the main gate of your house. It is said that Lakshmi Ji will definitely enter the house if you do so. 

5. Clean your house correctly and neatly. Especially in the south direction 

6. Pray to Lord Krishna. By doing this, one will get a beautiful skin and face.

7. Hanuman Ji is also worshipped on this day. To avoid defects, people also visit Hanuman Mandir. 

8. Light 11 diyas in any mandir on this day. 

What to not do on this day

1. Do not kill even an insect on this day. If you do so, Yamraj will get angry with you. 

2. Pour sesame oil. It is lucky for your father's age. 

3. Clean the south direction of your house. If you don't do that, yamraj will get angry, and this will upset him. 

4. Do not donate oil on this day. This can make Laxmi Ji upset.

5. Do not get up after sunrise. Your merits are reduced if you do so. 

6. Do not eat non-veg. 

7. Do not drink alcohol. It can ruin your health. 

8. Do not touch the broom with your foot, as it is believed to upset Laxmi Ji. 

You can read similar write-up on relevance of astrology in indian festivals for all other major Indian Festivals.