🪔 Narak Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) Vrat Katha
The story
Narakasura, son of Bhudevi (the Earth goddess), had been granted a boon, but drunk on power he turned into a tyrant — he attacked heaven, snatched the earrings of Aditi, mother of the gods, and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of many kings in his city of Pragjyotishpur. At the plea of Indra, Krishna rode there on Garuda with Satyabhama.
After a fierce battle Krishna slew Narakasura with the Sudarshan Chakra (some traditions credit this feat to Satyabhama, regarded as a form of Bhudevi herself). The captive women were freed and given honour, and Aditi's earrings were returned. Popular belief holds that Narakasura's last wish was that people mark the day of his death by lighting lamps and taking an auspicious bath — hence the bath at dawn and the lamps of this day.
The other story is of King Rantideva — when his end came, the messengers of Yama arrived for this righteous king. Asked why, they said that once a hungry Brahmin had left his door without food. The sages advised him to keep the vrat of Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi, feed Brahmins and seek forgiveness. The king did so and was freed from the fear of naraka — since then, charity and the gift of food carry special merit on this day.
Why this katha — the significance
The slaying of Narakasura: Narakasura (also called Bhaumasura), the tyrant king of Pragjyotishpur, tormented the gods, seized the earrings of Aditi, mother of the gods, and held sixteen thousand princesses captive (16,100 in some texts). Krishna, with Satyabhama at his side, killed him and set them all free. The pre-dawn auspicious bath and the lighting of lamps celebrate this victory — the 'Narak' in the name points to freedom both from Narakasura and from the fear of naraka (hell).
Yama Tarpan and Yama Deepdaan: the scriptures also make this Chaturdashi a day for honouring Yamraj. A Yama tarpan after the morning bath, and a four-faced lamp facing south at the door in the evening, are offered so that the family stays protected from untimely death and the fear of naraka. Many homes light the Yama lamp on Dhanteras, many on Choti Diwali and some on both days — follow your own family custom.
Roop Chaudas and other forms: the pre-dawn massage with sesame oil and bath with ubtan is for health and radiance — a practice that readies the body for the onset of winter and matches the Ayurvedic tradition of abhyanga. Some traditions, especially in parts of North India, observe Hanuman Jayanti and Hanuman puja on this day; Gujarat worships Mahakali on the night of Kali Chaudas, and Bengal lights 14 lamps and eats 14 greens for the ancestors on Bhoot Chaturdashi.
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Narak Chaturdashi in {Y}? Why can Choti Diwali and the Abhyang Snan fall on different days?
The table above gives this year's Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi dates from panchang calculations. Choti Diwali (Yama Deepdaan) is on the day when Chaturdashi prevails in Pradosh Kaal, while the Abhyang Snan is taken on the morning when Chaturdashi prevails at Arunodaya (before sunrise). Because the tithi's length varies, these can fall on two different days — the bath is then on the morning of Lakshmi Puja day; see the five-day dates for your city on the Diwali city-wise page (e.g. /en/vrat/diwali/lucknow).
How is Yama Deepdaan done?
In the evening Pradosh Kaal, take a four-faced lamp of dough or clay, fill it with oil, set four wicks and place it outside the main door facing south. Fold your hands and pray to Yamraj for the family's protection and long life; let the lamp burn out on its own — do not step over it or move it.
Why is ubtan applied on Roop Chaudas?
The Roop Chaudas bath stands for cleansing and radiance of the body — the oil massage nourishes skin and joints before winter, and an ubtan of gram flour, turmeric and sandalwood lifts away dirt and cleans the skin. Traditionally this dawn bath is seen as release from the fear of naraka and as preparing body and mind for the whole festival of lamps.
Is this Deepavali itself in South India?
Yes — in Tamil Nadu and much of South India, the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi is Deepavali: the pre-dawn oil bath, new clothes, crackers and sweets all happen on this day. The Amavasya evening Lakshmi Puja is not as central there as in the North, though in Karnataka and many trading families Lakshmi puja is also done on the Amavasya.
What are Kali Chaudas and Bhoot Chaturdashi?
In Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan this Chaturdashi is called Kali Chaudas — Mahakali, Hanuman ji or the family goddess is worshipped at night to keep negativity away from the home. In Bengal it is Bhoot Chaturdashi — 14 lamps are lit in memory of the ancestors and 14 kinds of greens are eaten; Kali Puja follows on the Amavasya.
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