The second day of Diwali festival is called Naraka
Chaturdashi, celebrated after the festival Dhanteras, on the 14th day of
Krishna Paksha of Karthik.( A month of Hindu Calendar)
Chaturdashi, celebrated after the festival Dhanteras, on the 14th day of
Krishna Paksha of Karthik.( A month of Hindu Calendar)
According to Hindu mythology, this festival is
observed to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna with the killing of wicked
demon Naraka. It is a victory over good over evil, hence it is celebrated as
“Naraka Chaturdashi.”
observed to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna with the killing of wicked
demon Naraka. It is a victory over good over evil, hence it is celebrated as
“Naraka Chaturdashi.”
This day is
also celebrated as the birthday of Hanumanji or Hanuman jayanti. Also, on this
day Hanumanji reached Ayodhya to deliver the long-awaited message of Lord
Rama’s return. Just like Diwali people light Diya’s on Chhoti Diwali to fill
their homes with light, worship Goddess Laxmi and offer prayers to her and they
also burst firecrackers but all these things are not as grand as they are on
the day of main Diwali .
also celebrated as the birthday of Hanumanji or Hanuman jayanti. Also, on this
day Hanumanji reached Ayodhya to deliver the long-awaited message of Lord
Rama’s return. Just like Diwali people light Diya’s on Chhoti Diwali to fill
their homes with light, worship Goddess Laxmi and offer prayers to her and they
also burst firecrackers but all these things are not as grand as they are on
the day of main Diwali .
Myths 1:
According to Hindu mythology, Narakasur, the son of
Mother Earth, becomes an evil Asur who ruled several kingdoms brought under his
rule by force. Narakasur comes to rule Heaven and Earth. Lord Indra pleads with
Lord Vishnu who promises to deal with the matter in his incarnation as
Krishna. In his incarnation as Krishna,
he attacks Narakasur while riding his mount Garuda with his wife Satyabhama and
beheads him with the Sudarshan Chakra.
Mother Earth, becomes an evil Asur who ruled several kingdoms brought under his
rule by force. Narakasur comes to rule Heaven and Earth. Lord Indra pleads with
Lord Vishnu who promises to deal with the matter in his incarnation as
Krishna. In his incarnation as Krishna,
he attacks Narakasur while riding his mount Garuda with his wife Satyabhama and
beheads him with the Sudarshan Chakra.
Myths 2:
Narkasur had fought against neighbouring kings and
imprisoned 16,000 women, daughters of the Gods and saints. He had also defeated
Lord Indra and taken away the magnificient kundale (earrings) from the ears of
Aditi, mother of the Gods. When Lord Krishna learnt about Narakasur’s deeds, he
decided to engage him in battle and liberate all the celestials. Narkasur was
granted a boon by Lord Brahma that he will only die at the hands of a woman. So
in the battle, it is Lord Krishna’s wife Satyabhama who beheads him with
Krishna as her Saarthi. Hence, it is celebrated as a victory over evil.
imprisoned 16,000 women, daughters of the Gods and saints. He had also defeated
Lord Indra and taken away the magnificient kundale (earrings) from the ears of
Aditi, mother of the Gods. When Lord Krishna learnt about Narakasur’s deeds, he
decided to engage him in battle and liberate all the celestials. Narkasur was
granted a boon by Lord Brahma that he will only die at the hands of a woman. So
in the battle, it is Lord Krishna’s wife Satyabhama who beheads him with
Krishna as her Saarthi. Hence, it is celebrated as a victory over evil.
The Story of King Bali:
With his valour Bali conquered every bit of space,
thus he became the most powerful king on earth. In his kingdom, justice was
mere word, truth had no place and happiness was a dream. His form of charity
was an occasion for pomp and show and those who went to seek Alms from the king
Bali suffered the indignity of insults and humiliation. His false beliefs,
arrogance and misrule ended when the Lord disguised as beggar and humble proved
to Bali that his concepts were totally wrong and even his vast wealth could
disappear in seconds. King Bali asked the dwarf beggar to ask for anything in
his kingdom and with three steps even his crown vanished. With his first step
Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and
asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head and became spiritually
enlightened. Thus, this festival has a far deeper significance than a mere
exhibition of gaiety and splendor. The Narak Chaturdashi day therefore is
dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and the
elimination of greed.
thus he became the most powerful king on earth. In his kingdom, justice was
mere word, truth had no place and happiness was a dream. His form of charity
was an occasion for pomp and show and those who went to seek Alms from the king
Bali suffered the indignity of insults and humiliation. His false beliefs,
arrogance and misrule ended when the Lord disguised as beggar and humble proved
to Bali that his concepts were totally wrong and even his vast wealth could
disappear in seconds. King Bali asked the dwarf beggar to ask for anything in
his kingdom and with three steps even his crown vanished. With his first step
Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and
asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head and became spiritually
enlightened. Thus, this festival has a far deeper significance than a mere
exhibition of gaiety and splendor. The Narak Chaturdashi day therefore is
dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and the
elimination of greed.
Kali Chaudous:
On the day of Kali Chaudas, Maha-Kali is worshipped
and is believed that on this day Kali killed the wicked Naraka. Kali Chaudas is
day to abolish laziness and evil which create hell in our life and shine light
on life.
and is believed that on this day Kali killed the wicked Naraka. Kali Chaudas is
day to abolish laziness and evil which create hell in our life and shine light
on life.
The legend of Lord Hanuman is also associated with
Kali Chaudous. Hanumanji as a baby was very hungry. Whilst lying down he saw
the sun in the sky and thought it was a fruit and went to pick it. He flew into
the sky and put the whole sun in his mouth causing darkness throughout the
entire universe. Lord Indra requested that Hanumanji return the sun. When
Hanumanji refused, Lord Indra unleashed his vajra and knocked Hanumanji down to
earth releasing the Sun.
Kali Chaudous. Hanumanji as a baby was very hungry. Whilst lying down he saw
the sun in the sky and thought it was a fruit and went to pick it. He flew into
the sky and put the whole sun in his mouth causing darkness throughout the
entire universe. Lord Indra requested that Hanumanji return the sun. When
Hanumanji refused, Lord Indra unleashed his vajra and knocked Hanumanji down to
earth releasing the Sun.
Naraka Chaturdashi in Goa:
Goa (India) celebrates Naraka Chaturdashi in a
unique way. Effigies of the demon Narkasura are created over many months and
then paraded through the streets through the day and into the evening & it
concludes with the burning of these effigies, filled with fire crackers and
bursting of crackers and other associated revelry.
unique way. Effigies of the demon Narkasura are created over many months and
then paraded through the streets through the day and into the evening & it
concludes with the burning of these effigies, filled with fire crackers and
bursting of crackers and other associated revelry.
Choti Diwali:
This day, a day before Deepawali is also known as
Choti Diwali and on this day, people are busy in cleaning and decorating their
houses with lights, rangolis, flowers and other traditional motifs.
Choti Diwali and on this day, people are busy in cleaning and decorating their
houses with lights, rangolis, flowers and other traditional motifs.
Wish You All A Very Happy Deepawali!
Celebrate With Full Gaeity and let the lights of
Deepawali illuminate the lives of all.
Deepawali illuminate the lives of all.
Happy Deepawali!!!
Image Source: Google
2 replies on “Naraka Chaturdashi”
Very imformative…I knew only one…about King Bali.
Here's something related to Diwali, too.
A Tale to tell This Diwali
http://maiti5452.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-tale-to-tell-this-diwali.html
Thanks a lot