Roop Chaudas, also known as Choti Diwali, falls on Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha, and is celebrated to remember the triumph of Krishna over Narakasura. Know more about its date, significance and rituals.
Roop Chaudas, also known as Choti Diwali, is celebrated on the second-day in the five-day long festival of Diwali, with early morning religious rituals followed by festivities.
Roop Chaudas Date this Year
Celebrated a day before Diwali and a day after Dhanteras, Choti Diwali is falling on November 3 this year. It will be followed by Diwali, Padva and Bhai Dooj.
Roop Chaudas Significance
Falling on Chaturdashi, 14th day, of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin, Roop Chaudas is celebrated to remember the day when asura Narakasura was killed by Krishna, Satyabhama and Kali.
According to the Hindu mythology, Narakasura was the ruler of Pragjyotishpur (province to the south of Nepal) who kidnapped 16,000 women, stole the earrings of the heavenly mother goddess Aditi, and usurped some of her territories. Enraged, a war was waged against him and he was beheaded by Krishna with his Sudarshana Chakra, saving all the women and bringing back Aditi’s earrings. Thus, this day is also known as “Naraka Chaturdashi”.
Marking the triumph over the demon, this day shines a light on life, pushing away all the darkness and evil that has been creating a chaos in life, and abolishes laziness through its positive vibes.
Roop Chaudas Rituals
On this day, the puja is performed with oil, flowers, and sandalwood, and coconuts are offered to Lord Hanuman with prasada of sesame seeds, jaggery and rice flakes (poha). Delicacies are prepared from poha, which is taken from the fresh harvest available at the time.