Narak Chaturdashi - The Significance. Today is Narak Chaturdashi. Narak Chaturdashi = Narak + Chaturdashi (Fourteenth) = The day when Demon Narakasura was slayed by Lord Krishna, falls on the 14th day of the month of Kartik (Oct - Nov). Narakasura was the king of Pragjyotisha, identified with present-day Assam. He was the demon son of Vishnus avatar Varaha and the earth-goddess Bhumi (Prithvi).I did not know this. He conquered the three worlds: heaven, earth and underworld. On earth, he captured 16100 princesses of defeated nations and the captive women were imprisoned at Audaka on the top of the mountain Maniparvata in his kingdom. Indra came to Dwarka, requesting Krishna, to save the universe from Narakasuras terror. Krishna and his second wife Satyabhama flew on Garuda to Pragjyotisha. Krishna slayed Narakasura and rescued the captive women. And did he keep them? I wonder... Interestingly, Bhumi, the mother of Demon Narakasura, declared that the death of her son Narakasura should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate. Hence the second day of five days Diwali festival is celebrated as the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura. The day is known as Chhoti Diwali (Small Diwali) with fewer lights lit and fewer crackers burst. Customs Followed On Narak Chaturdashi Abhayanga Snaan People wake up early before sunrise and break any bitter fruit and apply the kumkum and Til (sesame) oil paste, which is called Ubtan, on their foreheads and then take bath using sandalwood paste. The breaking of the fruit represents the head of the demon King, Narakasura and the kumkum-oil paste symbolizes the blood that Lord Krishna smeared on his forehead. The bath is known as Abhayanga Snaan. It is believed that people, who do Abhyang Snan on this day, can avoid going to Narak. In Maharashtra also, people take early bath with oil and ubtan (paste of gram flour and fragrant powders). – In Bengal and east India, the day is celebrated as Goddess Kali Pujo. On this day, Kalighat in Kolkatta is alight with puja fervour. How many of us actually know all these details? I didnt!:p
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 03:14:56 +0000
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