Roop Chaturdashi is also called Narak Chaturdashi. Know its significance and mythology.
Narak Chaturdashi, celebrated just a day before the festival of Diwali, is also called Chhoti Diwali, Roop Chaudas and Kali Chaturdashi. It is believed that a person who worships with the rituals of Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi gets freedom from all sins.
On this day in the evening, there is a tradition of donating lamps which is done for Yamraj. It is a very important festival from the point of view of its importance. It is a festival in the middle of a series of five festivals. Two days before Diwali, Dhanteras and then Narak Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali. It is called Choti Diwali because the darkness of the night is driven away from the light beam by the light of a lamp at night a day before Diwali, just like on the night of Diwali.
What is its story-
There are many mythological stories and folk beliefs regarding the practice of lighting lamps on this night. According to a legend, on this day Lord Shri Krishna had killed the tyrannical and evil demon Narakasura. And he freed sixteen thousand one hundred girls from the prison of Narakasura and gave them respect. On this occasion, a procession of lamps is decorated.
Another story related to the fast and worship of this day is that there was a virtuous and religious king named Ranti Dev. He had not committed any sin even unknowingly but when the time of death came, Yamdoots appeared before him.
The king was surprised to see Yamdoot in front of him and said, I have never committed any sin, then why have you people come to take me because your coming here means that I will have to go to hell. Please be kind to me and tell me because of which crime of mine I have to go to hell.
Hearing this, Yamdoot said, O king, once a Brahmin returned hungry from your door, this is the result of that sinful act. After this the king asked Yamdoot for one year’s time. Then the eunuchs gave the king one year’s time. The king approached the sages with his problem and after telling them his entire story, asked them what was the solution to get rid of this sin.
Then the sage told them to fast on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month and by offering food to the Brahmins, they should apologize for their crimes against them. The king did as the sages told him. In this way the king was freed from his sins and got a place in the world of Vishnu. From that day onwards, fasting on the day of Kartik Chaturdashi is prevalent in the earth for freedom from sin and hell.
What is its importance – It is said about the importance of this day that on this day, one should wake up before sunrise, apply oil, add chirchiri leaves in water and take bath with it and visit Lord Vishnu temple and Krishna temple. This removes sin and gives beauty.
In many houses, on this day and night, the oldest member of the house lights a lamp and rotates it throughout the house and then takes it and keeps it somewhere away from the house. Other members of the house stay inside and do not see this lamp. This lamp is called Yama’s lamp. It is believed that by taking it out around the house, all the evils and alleged evil powers go out of the house.
