Narak Chaturdashi - 24th Oct 2022.

Narak Chaturdashi or Kali Chaudas or Roop Chaudas or Bhoot Chaturdashi is celebrated on the 14th of the lunar month of Kartik. It is also celebrated as Kali Puja in eastern India as people believe that goddess Kali killed the demon Narakasur on this day.

According to another belief Lord Krishna and his queen Satyabhama united their forces to kill Narakasur. It is said that Narakasur was granted a boon that only his mother, Bhudevi, can kill him. He was aware that his mother wouldn't kill him so he started a rule of tyranny and oppression. Satyabhama was an incarnation of Mother Earth who went to fight Narakasur with Lord Krishna. During the battle when Lord Krishna was injured Satyabhama fought and killed Narakasur.

After killing Narakasur, Lord Krishna freed all the 16000 women prisoners of Narakasur. But the women had nowhere to go as their family would not accept them again. The girls pleaded to the Lord and asked him to marry them as Lord Krishna was their only saviour. As a result, Lord Krishna married them and took them to his palace. To commemorate the freedom of 16000 women, on this day, the women devotees adorn their bodies with 16 shringar.

On this day, devotees take abhyanga snana. They wake up before sunrise, massage their bodies with oil, apply ubtan, take a shower and wear beautiful new clothes to attain eternal youth and beauty. This is the reason it is called roop chaudas. Wearing kajal is also an important part of rituals related to roop chaudas.

In West Bengal, it is celebrated as Bhoot Chaturdashi as the veil between the living and nonliving world is the thinnest on this night. It is said that 14 generations of forefathers visit the homes of their families so 14 diyas are lit in the honour of the ancestors.

Another belief says that devotees who fast on this day never go to Narak or hell. Worshipping Yamaraj or the god of death is another ritual associated with Narak Chaturdashi.

In north India it is also celebrated as choti Diwali and Tamil Diwali in south India. People decorate their homes and light 14 diyas or candles. This year Narak Chaudas falls on 24th October.

Do let us know about your Narak Chaudas celebrations.

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