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Naraka Chaturdashi 2025: Celebrate Choti Diwali with early Abhyanga snan, lights, and rituals that honour Lord Krishna and Satyabhama’s victory over evil on Naraka Chaturdashi.
Diwali 2025: Naraka Chaturdasi falls on October 20. (Image: Shutterstock)
Naraka Chaturdashi 2025: Also known as Choti Diwali, Naraka Chaturdasi, is a significant event in the Hindu calendar, especially in India. This year, Naraka Chaturdasi falls on October 20, marking the eve of Diwali. Naraka Chaturdasi is traditionally celebrated on Krishna Paksha, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, in the month of Kartik. It’s the day on which Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. Below, we share more fascinating facts about Chhoti Diwali celebrations.
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Naraka Chaturdashi History
As per the Mahabharata, and the Puranas, Lord Krishna went to rescue almost 16,000 women abducted by the demon Narakasura. Helped on his mission by his wife Satyabhama, Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura and rescued all of the women from his captivity.
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Narakasura had received a boon from Lord Brahma that only his mother, Bhudevi could kill him. Unbeknownst to him, Satyabhama herself was an incarnation of Bhudevi on Earth. It was Satyabhama who struck the arrow at Narakasura, which ended his life. This is why, in addition to Lord Krishna, his wife Satyabhama is also worshipped on this day as Bhudevi.
Naraka Chaturdashi Significance
The celebration of Choti Diwali involves a series of rituals and customs that hold deep spiritual and cultural significance. On this day, which is called Chaturdashi, also Naraka Chaturdashi, devotees wake up before sunrise and perform an early morning bath, called the Abhyanga bath. The bath is preferably taken in holy rivers or water bodies such as the Ganges.
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Naraka Chaturdashi 2025 Muhurat
The most auspicious time frame to take the Abhyanga bath, as per Drikpanchang.com, is between 05:13 a.m. to 06:25 a.m., on October 20. Devotees should scrub their bodies using sesame oil symbolising the cleansing of their sins, to hopefully bring good luck for them.
Naraka Chaturdashi 2025 Celebrations
As the sun sets, devotees must illuminate their homes with Diyas, or clay lamps, candles, and colourful lights, to create a dazzling, colourful and bright surrounding in the belief that it wards off evil. Families perform Lakshmi Puja, which falls on the same day, and seek the blessings of Maa Lakshmi, for wealth and prosperity.
Choti Diwali is also a time for families to get together and take part in sumptuous feasts. It is the time to indulge in savoury traditional dishes, exchange gifts and share stories of ancestors with the younger generation. In Goa, devotees burn Narakasura’s effigies, while in West Bengal, Maa Kali is worshipped.
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A tech-savv…Read More
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A tech-savv… Read More
October 18, 2025, 07:02 IST
