Naraka Chaturdashi is also called Chhoti Diwali.
There is some confusion this year regarding the exact date of Naraka Chaturdashi.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is approaching. A day before Diwali, an auspicious occasion is celebrated. This day is also known as Chhoti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi. On this occasion, there is a tradition of worshipping Lord Yama, the god of death. It is believed that lighting a lamp in Lord Yama’s name on this day brings good fortune and frees one from the sufferings of hell. There is some confusion this year regarding the exact date of Naraka Chaturdashi. Famous astrologer from Deoghar, Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal, told Local 18 that Chhoti Diwali is celebrated a day after Dhanteras and a day before Diwali. Every year, Chhoti Diwali falls on the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) of the Kartik month during the waning phase. This year, the festival will be celebrated on 30th October, and is also known as Naraka Chaturdashi. On this day, a lamp is lit in the evening in Yama’s name to protect the family from untimely death.
Date and timings
According to astrologer Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal, as per the Rishikesh Panchang, the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) of the Kartik month will begin on October 30 at 11:23 AM and will end on October 31 at 2:53 PM. Since Yama Deep (lamp) is lit in the evening and Yama is worshipped on this day, Naraka Chaturdashi will be observed on October 30.
The astrologer explained that the Yama lamp is lit at dusk, either in the evening or at night. This year, the auspicious time for lighting the Yama lamp is between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM on 30th October.
Rituals for lighting the lamp
Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal added that on Naraka Chaturdashi, a four-sided lamp filled with mustard oil should be lit in the southern direction of the house in Yama’s name. Doing this is believed to eliminate the fear of untimely death among family members, and it also helps in removing disease, suffering, and sorrow from the household.
