Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) 1917
Abhyanga snan before sunrise; Krishna's victory over Narakasura.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)06:14
- Sunset17:10
- Fasting window (tithi)1917-11-12 · 22:33 → 23:30
- Parana (tithi ends)23:30
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaNaraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — Frequently Asked Questions
When is Naraka Chaturdashi celebrated?
On the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha of Kartika, in autumn — the fourteenth day of the waning fortnight, the day before Diwali. For this year's date, see the date shown above.
What is the abhyanga snan?
A ritual bath taken before sunrise on Naraka Chaturdashi, after the body is massaged with oil and a herbal ubtan. It is held to wash away the year's accumulated inauspiciousness, so one enters Diwali clean — hence the name Roop Chaudas.
Why is a lamp lit for Yama on this day?
A lamp is lit in the evening for Yama, the lord of death, often facing south, with a prayer against untimely death. It sits alongside the festival's memory of captives freed by Krishna.
How is Choti Diwali related to Diwali?
Naraka Chaturdashi is the eve of Diwali; the two evenings run together, with lamps lit on both. Choti Diwali centres on the pre-dawn bath and Narakasura's defeat, and Diwali the next night on Lakshmi Puja.
Other major festivals in 1917
- Makar Sankranti — 13 January 1917
- Vasant Panchami — 27 January 1917
- Maha Shivaratri — 20 February 1917
- Holika Dahan — 8 March 1917
- Holi — 9 March 1917
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 24 March 1917
- Ram Navami — 31 March 1917
- Akshaya Tritiya — 24 April 1917
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 21 June 1917
- Guru Purnima — 4 July 1917
- Nag Panchami — 24 July 1917
- Raksha Bandhan — 3 August 1917
- Krishna Janmashtami — 9 August 1917
- Hartalika Teej — 20 August 1917
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 21 August 1917
- Anant Chaturdashi — 31 August 1917
- Pitru Paksha begins — 1 October 1917
- Sharad Navratri begins — 17 October 1917
- Durga Ashtami — 24 October 1917
- Maha Navami — 24 October 1917
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 25 October 1917
- Karwa Chauth — 2 November 1917
- Dhanteras — 12 November 1917
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 14 November 1917
- Govardhan Puja — 15 November 1917
- Bhai Dooj — 16 November 1917
- Chhath Puja — 20 November 1917
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 28 November 1917
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 28 November 1917
- Hindu Festivals 1917 →