Narak Chaturdashi, Puja Method and History..!

Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated on the day of Diwali. Abhyanga bath, lamp lighting and puja are auspicious on this day. What is the auspicious day of Naraka Chaturdashi 2023..? Do you know the Naraka Chaturdashi Pooja Ritual - Method and Background..?

Naraka Chaturdashi has special significance in Hinduism. Sometimes Naraka Chaturdashi is also known as Chhoti Diwali or Roop Chaudas. This festival is celebrated every year on Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in Ashwayuja month. On this special day, special worship is done to Yamaraja, the Lord of Yamaloka. Bathing, charity and donating lamps also have special significance on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi. When is Naraka Chaturdashi celebrated? Know about its auspicious muhurat and puja rites - methods here.

1. Naraka Chaturdashi 2023 Muhurta:

Abhyanga Sanna Muhurta - 12 November 2023 from 05.28 am to 06:41 am
Lighting Time - 12th November 2023 05.29 pm to 08.07 pm

2. Why Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated..?

Naraka Chaturdashi is a festival associated with Lord Krishna and Narakasura. According to Puranas, in ancient times, the demon king Narakasura of Pragjyotishpur used his powers to fight with the gods and sages and took 16,100 beautiful girls as hostages. Because of this Narakasura was cursed to die at the hands of a woman. So Lord Sri Krishna, with the help of his wife Satyabhame, killed Narakasura on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwayuzha and rescued 16 thousand hundred girls from his captivity. For this reason Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated as the day of Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura.

3. Tradition of applying oil on Naraka Chaturdashi:

There is a tradition of taking Abhyanga bath on Naraka Chaturdashi. It is believed that it frees the person from hell and gives the blessing of attaining heaven and beauty. On this Chaturdashi day one should get up before sunrise and massage the body with sesame or mustard oil. Decoctions made from medicines should be applied. And bath should be done with water mixed with neem leaves. Then do darshan of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, doing this will remove sins and increase beauty. Long life is also blessed.

4. Why Yamaraja is worshiped on Naraka Chaturdashi?

According to religious beliefs, worshiping Yamaraja on the festival day of Naraka Chaturdashi removes the fear of untimely death. A legend related to this is that once a king named Ranti Deva was nearing his death. When Yamaraja came to him, he said that you will have to spend some time in hell. Then the king said that he had never committed any sin in his entire life, then Yamaraja said that once a group of saints came back hungry from the king's door, so that you should atone for this sin you have committed. Then the king asked Yamaraja for one year. The king asked all the sages and mahatmas in the court for suggestions to atone for this sin. Brahmins should be given food on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi. Saints say that by this you will be freed from sins. This is how the king behaves. And gets rid of hell.

5. Naraka Chaturdashi Pooja Method:

On Naraka Chaturdashi, one should get up before sunrise, apply oil, take a bath and wear clean clothes. Then special worship of Vamana form of Yamaraja, Shri Krishna, Mother Kali, Lord Shiva, Hanuman and Vishnu should be done. Place the idols of all these gods in the north-east corner of the house and worship them according to the rituals. Light incense lamps, perform Aarti and pray to God.