Naraka Chaturdashi will be celebrated on Saturday, 26th October this year.
It is celebrated a day before the festival of Diwali and a day after Dhanteras. It falls on the 14th day in the month of Ashwin (October or November). It is considered to be celebrated to get rid of the evil from life.
The most important ritual of the Naraka Chaturdashi is that people wake up early in the morning (before sunrise) or during moonrise, apply ubtan (made up of til oil, herbs, flowers as well as some crucial elements) on their body and take a holy bath or ‘Abhyanga Snan’. The day is also popular as Kali Chaudas, Choti Diwali, Roop Chaturdashi or Roop Chaudas.
At some places, Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated every year by praying to Goddess Kali who killed the demon named Narakasura. People offer to bring real light into their life. It is also considered that on this day Hindu God Lord Krishna became victorious over the demon, Narakasura.
People wake up early in the morning; apply aromatic oil throughout their body before bathing. Then, they wear new clothes after bathing, offer puja and enjoy a delicious breakfast with their relatives and friends. They light oil diyas everywhere and enjoy some firecrackers in the evening with their family and closed ones.