Naraka Chaturdasi

NARAKA CHATURDASI

Second day of the festival a day prior to Deepavali, called Naraka Chaturdasi is celebrated on Aaswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi (14thday of the dark fortnight). This day is celebrated commemorating the death of Demon King Narakasura at the hands of Lord Sri Krishna and his consort Sathyabhama Devi.

It is a custom and mandatory to take oil bath on this day. Lot of spiritual significance is given for oil bath on this day and it is said that even the sick should also take it without fail. It is said that Lord Sri Krishna had taken oil bath on this day after killing Narakasura.

Thil Oil (Sesame oil) should be used for the bath as it is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in Thil oil on this day. It is customary to take this bath early in the morning before sunrise when the stars are still visible. It is said that taking bath on this day as above is equivalent to taking bath in river Ganges. Worshipping Lord Sri Krishna and giving charity on this day is highly auspicious and meritorious.

It is said that after taking bath on this day all those who are eligible to offer Pithru tharpanam, should offer Thila Tharpanam in the name of Yama Dharma Raja (God of Death) called as Yama Tharpanam by reciting the following sloka containing 14 names of Lord Yama Dharma Raja.

Yamaaya Dharmarajaya Mruthyave Chantakayacha

Tarpana should be given with water and black sesame seeds with Yagnopaveetham in Apasavya position facing South direction by reciting each name in the above sloka by adding Namah. For example, Yamaya Namah– Yamam Tharpayami, Dharmarajaya

It is said and believed that giving Yama tharpana on this day is highly meritorious and one will get relief from suffering in Naraka Loka. Scripts like Dharma Sindhu says that this Tharpana should be given by one and all irrespective of the fact whether father is alive or not. In case father is not alive it should be given in Apasavya position as said above. In case father is alive it should be given with water and rice with Yagnopaveetham in Savya position.

Deepavali is one of the most prominent festivals of Hindu religion celebrated across the country with fervor and gaiety by one and all without any discrimination of age, caste and creed. It is called as festival of Lights and we find people lighting fire crackers during the festival which is a special attraction. Rarity of this festival is that it is celebrated in the night unlike other festivals which are generally celebrated in the day time. We find this festival being celebrated even among Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists apart from Hindus.

“Diwali is a time of the year when families, friends and communities come together in a spirit of celebration and joy.”

Observance of the festival varies from region to region. Deepavali also popularly called Diwali is celebrated for three to five days based on regional customs with each day of the festival referred to by a unique name. Deepavali generally occurs during October-November every year starting from Aaswayuja Bahula Trayodasi and ending with Kartheeka Sukla Dwiteeya. Around this time transit of Sun takes place in Thula (Libra) raasi the debilitated house for Sun. The celebrations take place in the following order : -

JALA POORNA TRAYODASI – DHANTERAS

First day of the festival called Jala Poorna Trayodasi is celebrated on Aaswayuja Bahula Trayodasi (13th day of the dark fortnight). It is believed and said that on this day Lord Dhanvanthari the God of health and healing emerged out of Milk Ocean during Ksheera Sagara Madhanam. This day is also known as Dhantheras or Dhana Trayodasi as it is auspicious to buy Gold and Silver on this day.

In South India especially in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh we find people performing on this day Ganga Pooja after Sunset in the night by symbolically filling water in a copper or brass vessel decorated with flowers and adding medicinal plant leaves to the water. The water with medicinal plant leaves soaked overnight is used on the next day while taking bath as it is said to have medicinal significance.

It is also believed that forefathers (Pitru Devathas) visit their houses on this day and as a mark of respect and invitation to them we find people lighting an oil lamp in front of their houses in the South direction that would please Yama Dharma Raja the Lord of Death.