Beyond the Clutter: Preparing Your Home and Mind for the Light of Diwali | Naraka Chaturdashi (Narak Chaudas / Roop Chaudas / Chhoti Diwali)

 

A modern Indian home transforming from clutter to calm, symbolizing purification and inner peace before Diwali.

🪔 Beyond the Clutter: Preparing Your Home and Mind for the Light of Diwali

A woman performing Abhyang Snan during Naraka Chaturdashi, surrounded by diyas and morning light symbolizing purification and victory over darkness.

Naraka Chaturdashi / Roop Chaudas or Chhoti Diwali

नरक चतुर्दशी (Naraka Chaturdashi) or रूप चौदस (Roop Chaudas), commonly known as छोटी दिवाली (Chhoti Diwali), falls on the 14th day of कृष्ण पक्ष (Krishna Paksha) according to the Hindu calendar in the month of कार्तिक (Kartik). It is the second day of the five-day long दीपावली (Diwali) festival.

While the world gets ready for the grand spectacle of लक्ष्मी पूजा (Lakshmi Pooja), there is a quieter, but profoundly significant day that sets the stage for all prosperity, known by various names – नरक चौदस (Narak Chaudas), रूप चौदस (Roop Chaudas) or छोटी दिवाली (Chhoti Diwali). This festival is a powerful day for internal and external purification. It is when we symbolically banish the darkness from our lives to truly welcome the light.

A family cleaning and decorating their home with diyas and marigolds on Chhoti Diwali morning — blending traditional ritual with modern life.

🌺 The Legend of Narak Chaturdashi

The story related to this festival is an epic one – the tyrannical demon नरकासुर (Narkasura) who had terrorized both heaven and earth was finally defeated by भगवान श्रीकृष्ण (Lord Krishna). Narkasura had held 16,000 women captive who were released by Lord Krishna. Since these women were released and protected by Lord Krishna, he is said to have 16,000 wives.

Lord Krishna’s divine form emerging in radiant light after slaying Narakasura, symbolizing the triumph of Dharma and illumination of the world.

This victory was so monumental that it was celebrated with a shower of life-giving light, giving rise to the name छोटी दिवाली (Chhoti Diwali). The victory symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

This festival is deeply rooted in rituals of purification and radiance, most famously the अभ्यंग स्नान (Abhyang Snan) — the sacred oil bath. It is also about banishing lethargy, ego, and all forms of spiritual darkness from one’s life.

💫 Roop Chaudas – The Celebration of Beauty

A woman applying ubtan with a diya-lit mirror nearby, marigold petals around her — symbolizing beauty, self-care, and radiance before Diwali.

In regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan, the day is also called रूप चौदस (Roop Chaudas) — where “Roop” means beauty. The ritual of अभ्यंग स्नान (Abhyang Snan) with उबटन (Ubtan) focuses on enhancing personal beauty, health, and well-being to look and feel one’s best for the main Diwali festival.

🌍 Regional Variations

  • काली चौदस (Kali Chaudas) – Celebrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of Rajasthan. माँ काली / महाकाली (Goddess Kali / Mahakali) is worshipped for strength, protection from evil, and removal of laziness. In some regions, हनुमान पूजा (Hanuman Pooja) is also performed.

  • भूत चतुर्दशी (Bhoot Chaturdashi) – In West Bengal and Assam, people light 14 diyas in all corners of the house to guide ancestors home and drive away evil spirits. It is believed that 14 deceased ancestors (भूत) visit their loved ones.

  • छोटी दिवाली (Chhoti Diwali) – In North India, this day is marked by cleaning, decorating homes, and lighting lamps a day before the main festival.

  • दीपावली नरक चतुर्दशी (Deepawali Narak Chaturdashi) – In South India (Tamil Nadu & Karnataka), it marks Lord Krishna’s victory over Narkasura. It includes the sacred oil bath and bursting of crackers on this day instead of Amavasya.

  • In Goa, large paper effigies of Narkasura filled with grass and firecrackers are burnt before sunrise, symbolizing his annihilation.

  • In some parts of Maharashtra and Goa, bitter fruits like करेत (Kareet) or कारटुला (Kartula) are crushed under the feet — symbolizing the crushing of Narkasura’s head and the removal of bitterness and ego.

🕯️ Conclusion

नरक चतुर्दशी (Narak Chaturdashi) is far more than a prelude to Diwali. It is a critical day of cleansing and conquest that makes the festival of lights possible. Lord Krishna’s slaying of Narkasura confirms the eternal rule of धर्म (Dharma) over tyranny.

The purification with the sacred oil bath symbolizes the washing away of sins, negativity, and fear of the unknown. Narak Chaturdashi ensures that by the time Diwali arrives, every home and heart is fully purified, protected, and prepared to welcome the light of prosperity and knowledge.

It stands as a powerful annual reminder that before new light shines, the darkness of the old must be actively destroyed.

Reference: Learn more about the significance of Dhanteras

About the Author

Adv. Mamta Singh Shukla is an Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and Founder of Vijay Foundations — an initiative dedicated to social justice, education, and empowerment. Through her writings, she advocates for human dignity, equality, and systemic change.

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Mamta Singh Shukla - Advocate Supreme Court of India

Mamta Singh Shukla
Advocate, Supreme Court of India

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