Choti Diwali 2022: Importance, History

Choti Diwali 2022: The day before Diwali, often referred to as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, is celebrated on the 14th day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month for the triumph of good over evil. Diyas light up across Bharat, accompanied by rangolis and sweets, in celebration of Choti Diwali. The festival mainly commemorates the defeat of Narakasura by Lord Sri Krishna and the eve of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, & Lord Lakshmana returning to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile.

This year, Choti Diwali falls on October 24 and people honor the day by performing several rituals such as taking an early bath, lighting up diyas, worshipping Lord Sri Krishna, Lord Yamaraj, and Goddess Kali, mainly in the southern states, and Lord Rama, prominently in the northern states.

Why do we celebrate Choti Diwali?

Several interesting lores are associated with the celebration of Choti Diwali, from Yamaraj to Narakasura, and each one is explained briefly here:

Worship of Lord Yamaraj

Lord Yamaraj, the Hindu Deity of Death, is remembered on Choti Diwali by rising before the sun, taking a bath, and offering three Anjali waters. In the evening, the elder of the house lights a Diya and traverses around the house and finally places the diya facing the southern direction, hidden from other family members, in remembrance of Lord Yamraj. It is said to ward off untimely death.

As the legend goes, Lord Yamraj came to take Rati Dev, a king who was believed to have never sinned, to hell. When asked, Yamaraj responded, “You returned a starving person.” The king later took a fast on this day and served food to the needy, and thus came about the tradition of fasting and giving food to the needy.

Eve of Return of Lord Rama

People of this country have grown up with the story of Ramayana. After completing their exile in the forest for 14 years, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, & Lord Lakshmana were to return to Ayodhya on the day of Diwali. Overjoyed people lit the kingdom with diyas, and thus Choti Diwali is remembered for the joy of the return of Lord Rama.

Defeat of Narakasura

Amongst all the Asuras, or demons, the story of Narakasura is the most famous. Son of Bhudevi, Narakasura was blessed to not be killed by any god except his mother. He later terrorised the earth and heavens alike when Lord Sri Krishna and his wife Satyabhama, a reincarnation of Bhudevi with no earlier memories, went to battle the demon. Enraged by his actions, Satyabhama then shot Narakasura with an arrow, which ultimately led to his defeat. Thus, the defeat of Narakasura signifies the win of good over evil and is celebrated through Choti Diwali each year.

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