Naraka Chaturdasi 2009 Date: When is Naraka Chaturdasi 2009? – 2009 Naraka Chaturdasi is celebrated on the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark fortnight of the month of Karthik (October-November). This year (2009) Naraka Chaturdasi is celebrated on 17th October 2009. Naraka Chaturdasi marks the second day of five-day Diwali celebrations. It is the day before Diwali.

The Legend:
On Naraka Chaturdasi the victory of Lord Krishna over the asura King Narakasura is celebrated. Narakasura was the powerful son of Bhudevi and demon Hiranyaksya. He ruled the kingdom of Pragjyothishapuram (in modern day Assam, also once know as Kamarup). He was known for his atrocities towards gods and sages. He attacked Indra, the king of gods, and took all possessions of Indra. He saw glittering earrings of Aditi (the mother of devas) and grabbed them from her after assaulting her. Narakasura also kidnapped and terrorized the gopis of Vrindavan.

Tired of this harassment, Indra and the other devatas approached Lord Krishna and pleaded with Him to protect them. Narakasura was cursed that he could only be killed by a woman. So Lord Krishna asked His wife, Satyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be His charioteer in the battle with Narakasura.

Krishna summoned His mount Garuda (a giant eagle) and made way towards Narakasura’s palace. He killed five-headed demon Mura and challenged Narakasura to come and fight. The battle was fiery. Seeing a chance, Satyabhama took Krishna’s place and killed Narakasura.

When Krishna returned, He took a bath after applying oil over His body, to cleanse Himself from the blood of the battle. This oil-bath connected with Sri Krishna’s ritual is the reason for people to take an oil-bath on Naraka Chaturdasi.

Celebrations:
This victory of Lord Krishna is celebrated in a very peculiar way. People wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of Narakasura that was smashed by Lord Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste.

In Maharashtra, people enjoy traditional early baths with oil and the paste of gram flour and fragrant powders. All through the ritual of baths, they lit lamps everywhere and fire crackers. Various sweets are prepared. Steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd are the special dishes of the day.