Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) 1965
Abhyanga snan before sunrise; Krishna's victory over Narakasura.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)06:00
- Sunset17:23
- Fasting window (tithi)1965-10-22 · 23:31 → 21:25
- Parana (tithi ends)21:25
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 1965
- Makar Sankranti — 13 January 1965
- Vasant Panchami — 6 February 1965
- Maha Shivaratri — 1 March 1965
- Holika Dahan — 16 March 1965
- Holi — 18 March 1965
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 2 April 1965
- Ram Navami — 10 April 1965
- Akshaya Tritiya — 4 May 1965
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 30 June 1965
- Guru Purnima — 13 July 1965
- Nag Panchami — 1 August 1965
- Raksha Bandhan — 12 August 1965
- Krishna Janmashtami — 19 August 1965
- Hartalika Teej — 29 August 1965
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 30 August 1965
- Anant Chaturdashi — 9 September 1965
- Pitru Paksha begins — 11 September 1965
- Sharad Navratri begins — 26 September 1965
- Durga Ashtami — 2 October 1965
- Maha Navami — 4 October 1965
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 4 October 1965
- Karwa Chauth — 13 October 1965
- Dhanteras — 22 October 1965
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 24 October 1965
- Govardhan Puja — 25 October 1965
- Bhai Dooj — 26 October 1965
- Chhath Puja — 30 October 1965
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 9 November 1965
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 9 November 1965
- Hindu Festivals 1965 →