Naraka Chaturdashi 2021: Chhoti Diwali, Date, Abhyang Snan Muhurat and significance

Diwali will be celebrated this year on November 4 and Chhoti Diwali is on the 3rd of this month. On Naraka Chaturdashi, devotees begin with early morning rituals and festivities continue throughout the day.

New Delhi: The occasion of Naraka Chaturdashi, also known by various other names such as Chhoti Diwali, Kali Chaudas, Roop Chaudas, Naraka Nivaran Chaturdashi or Bhoot Chaturdashi is being marked this year on November 3.  It happens to be the second day of the five-day-long festival of Diwali which begins with Dhantrayodashi (Dhanteras) and lasts till Bhai Dooj. 

Diwali will be celebrated this year on November 4 and Chhoti Diwali is on the 3rd of this month. However, there is a difference between Naraka Chaturdashi and Kali Chaudas festivals, although they usually fall on the same days. Depending upon the date in the Hindi calendar, the dates can differ at times for these two days.

The festival is celebrated on the Chaturdashi (14th day) of the Krishna Paksha in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Kartik. It is believed that demon Narakasura was killed on this day by Lord Krishna, Satyabhama and Goddess Kali respectively.