Naraka Chaturdashi 2024 Date: Kartik Chaturdashi Tithi and Kali Chaudas Muhurat

Naraka Chaturdashi is a festival of Hindus that is celebrated on the day before Diwali. It is the day on which demon Naraka was killed by Lord Krishna and Goddess Satyabhama and falls on the fourteenth day (or chaturdashi) of Krishna Paksha in Ashwin month, and hence the name Naraka Chaturdashi.

Naraka Chaturdashi Overview

Naraka Chaturdashi Date

Date for Naraka Chaturdashi is calculated according to the Hindu calendar and is observed on the fourteenth day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin.

Typically, this falls in the month of October or November in the Gregorian calendar. In the year 2023, Naraka Chaturdashi will be celebrated on October 31st, 2024.

Story of Naraka Chaturdashi

Narakasura, the son of Bhudevi (the Earth Goddess) and mighty demon Hiranyaksha, was himself a powerful demon king who defeated the Gods and started reigning on earth and heaven with immense cruelty.

It was a prophecy that Narakasura can be killed only by a woman, who will be incarnation of Bhudevi. Learning about this prophecy, he imprisoned more than sixteen thousand women. When there was no stopping to his tyranny, Lord Indra approached Lord Krishna and asked him for help.

Lord Krishna agreed and asked his wife Satyabhama, who was incarnation of Bhudevi, to assist him in killing Narakasura. When they reached the palace of Narakasura, they had an enounter with his demon guard Mura whom Lord Krishna killed with his Sudarshana chakra. Hearing that the powerful Mura is killed, Narakasura came out of his palace and was killed by Goddess Satyabhama.

While counting his last breath, Narakasura realized his sins asked Lord Krishna and Goddess Satyabhama for forgiveness and also asked a boon that his death will not be mourned but celebrated with great joy and lights. The Lords blessed him and from then onward death anniversary of Narakasura began to be celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi.

It is also said that Lord Krishna married the sixteen thousand imprisoned women upon their request as they fear the society will deny them considering they were slave of a demon king.

According to some legends, Narakasura was killed was Goddess Durga in her Kali form and the day is therefore also celebrated as Kali Chaudas.

Naraka Chaturdashi Rituals & Celebrations

Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated in different parts of India with great joy and festivity and there are many famous rituals associated with this festival. It is said that after Narakasura demon was killed, Lord Krishna took an oil bath and therefore there is a tradition of taking a bath using ubtan of sesame (til) oil before sunrise when chaturdashi tithi is prevailing. It is also believed that by taking a bath in til oil (also known as Abhyanga Snan), a person remains protected from poverty and misfortune.

There is also a belief that fourteen forefathers come to visit their families on the night of Naraka Chaturdashi and to guide them towards their home, fourteen diyas are lit and placed all around the house. It is also believed that lighting these diyas keep evil eye away from house. To keep away the evil eye, people also apply kajal in the eyes on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi.

On the day of Naraka Chaturdashi, a special puja is performed and offering of oil, flowers, jaggery, sesame seeds, coconut, sandalwood, etc are made to the gods. People prepare variety of delicacies and sweets and enjoy them with their friends and family. In the evening, there are fireworks and crackers can be seen lighting up the sky. Indian states of Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu celebrate Diwali on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi whereas the rest country observes Diwali on the day after Naraka Chaturdashi 2023.

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