Choti Diwali 2024: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi, and Narakasura’s Story

Choti Diwali 2024: Date, Shubh Muhurat Time, Puja Vidhi, Significance, and the Legend of Narakasura’s Defeat

Narak Chaturdashi is also known as Choti Diwali, which is an important festival and is celebrated throughout India during the five-day-long celebrations of Diwali. In 2024, Choti Diwali will occur on October 30. Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month falls a day before the grand celebration of Laxmi Puja or Badi Diwali. Choti Diwali has a great religious significance because it shows the victory of good over evil by eliminating the negatives.

Choti Diwali 2024 Date and Shubh Muhurat
The Chaturdashi Tithi for Narak Chaturdashi 2024 begins at 2:45 AM on October 30 and ends at 5:22 AM on October 31. The most important ritual performed on this day is the Abhyanga Snan, which is a holy bath. This bath is supposed to purify the body and soul. The favorable time for Abhyanga Snan on October 30, 2024, is between 6:06 AM and 7:50 AM.

Moonrise Time: 6:06 AM on October 30.

Abhyanga Snan during shubh muhurat is considered for protecting evil and negativity. This brings good health and prosperity. Lighting diyas or lamps after bath is the other ritual of the day. Light of knowledge and victory is also depicted through it.

Importance of Narak Chaturdashi
Narak Chaturdashi is that day when Lord Krishna, supported by his wife Satyabhama, had conquered the demon Narakasura. Narakasura was a potent demon who terrorized the earth dwellers and imprisoned 16,000 women. He was ruthless, and with his cruel deeds, caused immense pain to the denizens of the earth. The people could no more tolerate this torture; therefore, they prayed for rescue to Lord Krishna.

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Krishna, accompanied by Satyabhama, fought a fierce battle with Narakasura. The prophecy foretold by Lord Brahma had indicated that Narakasura would be killed only by his mother. In previous life Satyabhama was the mother of Narakasura and she was the one who hit the last blow, as the result of which, the prophecy was fulfilled. When he died, the captive women were released and asked Lord Krishna to marry them so that society will not reject them. Krishna agreed graciously and married them, and thus ended the reign of terror by Narakasura.

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Thus, Choti Diwali is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and truth over falsehood.

Narak Chaturdashi 2024: Puja Vidhi and Rituals
The rituals accompanying Narak Chaturdashi begin with an Abhyanga Snan where devotees bathe in oil and herbal pastes to cleanse their bodies of impurities. This bath is taken during the auspicious morning hours and is said to wash away sins and negative energies. Many families also clean their homes very well to prepare for the Diwali festivities, which symbolizes the purification of the environment as well.

Homes are adorned with rangoli, flowers, and illuminated by diyas in the evening. People pray to Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali to keep evil forces away from their lives and for prosperity and good health.

The use of diyas at 11 or 14 spots at home is considered the most auspicious and fortunate, for it is thought to bring good fortune while inviting good energies and good prosperity into a house. Some communities give special emphasis to lighting diyas around every direction of the home so that nothing evil manages to find its way about anywhere in the house. The lamps represent the overcoming of light by darkness or the intellect over ignorance.

Families also prepare a variety of sweet dishes like kheer, halwa, and dry fruits, which are offered to the deities and subsequently shared with friends and family. This is in a way to further enhance connections by spreading happiness.

Conclusion
Choti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi is one of the most spiritually sacred festivals that mark the onset of the Diwali celebrations. It celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura but also reminds us to clean our mind, body, and surroundings. Choti Diwali has rituals of bathing, lighting diyas, and prayer, which are the core elements of purifying one’s self and the environment, making it a great day of joy and significance in Hindu tradition.

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