When Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) falls

Dates are computed astronomically against Kashi sunrise.

The significance of Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)

Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) puja vidhi

1. 1Rise well before sunrise, in the Chaturdashi tithi still prevailing.
2. 2Massage the body with warm oil and a herbal ubtan (traditionally including sesame oil).
3. 3Take the abhyanga snan, and put on fresh or new clothes afterward.
4. 4Worship Krishna, remembering the slaying of Narakasura and the freeing of the captives.
5. 5In the evening, light a lamp for Yama — a four-wick or ghee lamp facing south — with a prayer against untimely death.
6. 6Light lamps through the house and at the doorway as the Diwali eve begins.
7. 7Offer bhog and perform the aarti; some also honour Hanuman on this day.

Vrat rules

• There is no strict fast; the day's discipline is the pre-dawn abhyanga snan rather than abstinence from food.
• Rise before sunrise, massage the body with oil and ubtan, and bathe — traditionally the first to bathe is considered most blessed.
• A lamp is lit for Yama in the evening, often placed facing south, the direction of Yama.
• The house and doorway are lit as on Diwali, since the two evenings run together.
• Some keep a light satvik diet, but the day is not a fasting day in the strict sense.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Treating it as Diwali itself — Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) is the eve, its own day with the abhyanga snan and Narakasura story.
• Skipping the pre-dawn abhyanga snan, which is the day's central rite, not an optional bath.
• Forgetting the Yama deep-daan, the lamp offered to ward off untimely death.
• Confusing Kali Chaudas (west/south) and Roop Chaudas customs, which differ from the northern observance.

The vrat katha of Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)

Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) timeline

1. Pre-dawn — abhyanga snan

   Before sunrise, an oil massage with ubtan and a ceremonial bath is taken — the day's defining rite, said to free one from Naraka (hell).

2. Yama deep-daan

   A lamp is lit and offered to Yama, often the night before, to ward off untimely death.

3. Kali / Hanuman worship

   In many regions Kali is worshipped at night (Kali Chaudas), or Hanuman, for protection from negative forces.

4. Evening — diyas

   Rows of lamps are lit at dusk, the lights building toward the great Diwali of the next night.

Famous places & temples

Interesting facts

• ◆The pre-dawn abhyanga snan is called a 'hell-freeing' bath — bathing before sunrise on this day is held to wash away the fear of Naraka.
• ◆Krishna (with Satyabhama) slew the demon Narakasura at dawn and freed sixteen thousand captives, whom he then honoured as his queens.
• ◆Narakasura's dying wish was that his death be remembered with lights and joy, not mourning — one root of the festival of lamps.
• ◆It is also Roop Chaudas — roop meaning beauty — when an ubtan of turmeric and oil is applied for radiance.

Common questions