3rd Nov, 2021
The second day of the 5 day Festival of Diwali is known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali.
As per Hindu legends, the day is celebrated as Lord Krishna’s wife – Satyabhama beheaded Demon King Narakasur who was the demon son of Vishnu’s boar avatar Varaha and the earth-goddess Bhudevi.
The festival of Narak Chaturdashi is popular in Maharashtra and South India and people on this day take bath before sunrise and apply uptans and fragrances to mark the victory of good over evil.
In some regions of India, this day also known as Kali Chaudas is the day allotted to the worship of Mahakali or Shakti to abolish laziness and evil.
The rituals are also strongly suggestive of the origin of Diwali as a harvest festival. On this day delicacies are prepared from pounded semi-cooked rice called Poha. This rice is taken from the fresh harvest available at that time. This custom is prevalent both in rural and urban areas especially in Western India.
On this day, a head wash and application of kajal in the eyes is believed to keep away the kali nazar (evil eye). Some say that those who are into tantra, learn their ‘mantras’ on this day.
Many People also worship their Kula Devi, in order to cast off evil spirits.
Some families also offer food to their forefathers on this day.
Diwali essentially symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
On this day of knowledge, let’s remove ignorance and give back to society,
let’s be the reason for someone’s smile,
Let’s celebrate the festive week as The joy of giving week and stay blessed forever.