Why Is Choti Diwali Celebrated?

Choti Diwali is also known as Roop Chaudas or Naraka Chaturdashi that is celebrated a day before Diwali across India. People celebrate it by lighting up their houses and by bursting crackers as a sign of waiting for the main day. The festival of lights is observed for five days that starts from Dhanteras, then Naraka Chaturdashi, main day Diwali, then Govardhan Pooja, and ends with Bhai Dooj. This five-day festival is enthusiastically celebrated across India by worshipping Goddess Laxmi, making Rangoli, decorating home with Diwali Diya, preparing Diwali sweets, and many more such things are done. We also exchange Diwali gifts and look for decorative items for the home.

You would also find a great range of Diwali candles to lighten up the place and prayer space. Diwali is an auspicious festival as it marks the triumph of good over evil but, if you know, then Naraka Chaturdashi is also an important day in Hinduism. Most of the time, we do not know why we celebrate these days and therefore, today, we have curated this blog to enlighten you about why Choti Diwali is celebrated.

Lord Krishna Defeating Narakasur

If we believe in mythology then three incidents took place in history, and therefore, the Naraka Chaturdashi is so important for people. According to the legends, the demon king, Narakasur defeated Lord Krishna and other deities. He captivated 16,000 daughters of other Gods and snatched Goddess Aditi’s earrings. One day before the Naraka Chaturdashi, Lord Krishna defeated Narakasur, freed the women, and brought Goddess Aditi’s earrings as well. The 16,000 women could not go back home as society would refuse to accept them; hence, Lord Krishna married all the women as a sign of respect. Therefore, good over evil is celebrated a day before Diwali, and people often do Deep Daan on this day. They also worship Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu on Naraka Chaturdashi.

A King And His Sin

Another legend says - there was a king named Rati Dev who never committed a single sin but, Yamdoot came to take him to hell. He was shocked to hear that and asked the reason for going to hell, then Yamdoot answered, ‘you returned a starving Brahmin, and this is the result of that sin.’ He then asked for a year, and Yamdoot granted it. As he went inside his Kingdom, he narrated the story to sages and asked for a solution. One of the sages recommended Rajan to fast on Krishna Paksha Kartik Chaturdashi and serve food to Brahmins. The king did that, and he was freed of all his sins. The Yamdoot came after a year and took him to Vishnu Loka. Hence, you would see many observing a fast and giving food to the needy on this day.

Lord Vishnu Capturing Three Lok

Another story suggests that Bali was an influential king from whom even Gods feared. The deities were afraid of Bali capturing all the Three Lokas and ruling them in unjust ways. To this concern, Lord Vishnu took Vamana Avatar and went to King Bali. As the king was full of pride, for him, he was just a poor Vamana who came to beg him. As he was unable to recognise Lord Vishnu, he agreed to give Vamana whatever he begged. Lord Vishnu asked for three-foot space in king Bali’s kingdom. King agreed to it, and then Lord Vishnu covered all the three lokas in two-foot space. King Bali understood and asked Lord Vishnu to keep his third foot on his head. This way, Lord Krishna covered three lokas, and Gods were relaxed as they were safe.

These are some of the stories that you should know about Choti Diwali. Prepare Diwali sweets, decorate your home with Diwali candles, lighten up your rangoli and house with Diwali Diyas and don’t forget to shop Diwali gifts for your loved ones. FlowerAura wishes you and your family a happy and prosperous Diwali. Let’s celebrate this Diwali together!