Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) 1961
Abhyanga snan before sunrise; Krishna's victory over Narakasura.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)06:10
- Sunset17:13
- Fasting window (tithi)1961-11-06 · 14:42 → 15:25
- Parana (tithi ends)15:25
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 1961
- Makar Sankranti — 13 January 1961
- Vasant Panchami — 21 January 1961
- Maha Shivaratri — 13 February 1961
- Holika Dahan — 2 March 1961
- Holi — 3 March 1961
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 17 March 1961
- Ram Navami — 25 March 1961
- Akshaya Tritiya — 17 April 1961
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 14 July 1961
- Guru Purnima — 27 July 1961
- Nag Panchami — 16 August 1961
- Raksha Bandhan — 26 August 1961
- Krishna Janmashtami — 1 September 1961
- Hartalika Teej — 13 September 1961
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 14 September 1961
- Anant Chaturdashi — 23 September 1961
- Pitru Paksha begins — 25 September 1961
- Sharad Navratri begins — 10 October 1961
- Durga Ashtami — 17 October 1961
- Maha Navami — 18 October 1961
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 19 October 1961
- Karwa Chauth — 27 October 1961
- Dhanteras — 5 November 1961
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 7 November 1961
- Govardhan Puja — 9 November 1961
- Bhai Dooj — 10 November 1961
- Chhath Puja — 14 November 1961
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 22 November 1961
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 22 November 1961
- Hindu Festivals 1961 →