Choti Diwali – Celebrations On The Day Before Diwali
Posted on October 21, 2008 in Festivals by naveen
Narak Chaturdashi is also known as Choti Diwali. Choti Diwali is celebrated on the day before Diwali. On this day, people celebrate Diwali in a smaller scale. Decorated homes, sparkling lights, crackers sounds, and puja to Goddess Laxmi and Lord Sri Rama are the most often events - we can see on Choti Diwali.
When Choti Diwali is Celebrated?
Choti Diwali is celebrated on the day of Narak Chaturdashi (Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi) which falls on the day before Diwali. In 2008, Choti Diwali is celebrated on 27th October, Monday.
Legend or Myth Behind Choti Diwali :
After defeating Lord Indra (the King of Gods), the demon king Narakasur, emperor of Pragjyotishpur (a kingdom to the south of Nepal) had snatched away the prestigious ornaments of Aditi, the ruler of Devaloka (Suraloka) and the Mother Goddess of all Gods. And he imprisoned several thousands of daughters of the Gods.
Satyabhama, Lord Krishna’s wife heard this and enraged by the demon Narak’s cruelty towards women, and she prayed to Lord Krishna to give her an opportunity to demolish Narakasura. As she prayed to the Lord, she destroyed Narakasura and restored peace. The legend also tells that demon Narak was given a curse that he would be destroyed by a woman. On the day of the demolition of demon Narakasura, Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated.
Celebrations During Naraka Chaturdashi :
On the day of Naraka Chaturdashi, women wake up early and perform ceremonial or spiritual bath and design their homes’ entrances with beautiful rangolis. Footprints are also made with rice paste in the entrances of houses. Women light diyas all around the home.
During Choti Diwali, people perform puja to Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi and to Lord Sri Rama. Devotees sing songs and perform Aarti.
Narakasura Vadha – Burning Out the Evil :
In some places, the large effigies of Narakasura are burnt. This is also called as Narakasura Vadha (the demolition of demon Narakasura). A large number of people attend to see this event. The effigies are burnt with the help of some types of crackers and other explosives. The ritual of Narakasura Vadha represents the destruction of evilness and restoring the peace.
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