Kali Chaudas 2024:
Thus, Kali Chaudas 2024 will be celebrated each year with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. Among the festival days, Kali Chaudas, which is also known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Bhoot Chaturdashi, is observed one day before Diwali. In Kali Chaudas, ‘Kali’ is Kali Devi and ‘Chaudas’ is fourteen. People worship Maa Kali, a fierce avatar of the goddess Durga, on this day. They celebrate it throughout India, particularly in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and other significant portions of western India.
Kali Chaudas 2024 Date and Time
Kali chaudas in 2024 will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in commemoration of Choti Diwali, which occurs one day before Diwali. It takes place in the Hindu month of Ashwin on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, or krishna paksha. Paksha. Kali Chaudas, or Chaturdashi Tithi, starts on October 30, 2024, at 01:15 PM and ends on October 31, 2024, at 03:51 PM. It usually falls three days prior to Bhaidooj, though specific local calendars, customs, and personal beliefs can lead to modifications.
Gratitude to the Goddess Kali for Kali Chaudas:
On this day, Goddess Parvati is worshiped as Goddess Kali, worshiping Kali is said to bring a lot of blessings. The mainl benefits of the ritual include the removal of the ill effects of Shani dosh, money and marital prosperity, healing from chronic illnesses, and deliverance from the influence of demonic spirits.
The most worshiped deity on the day of Narak Chaturdashi is Goddess Kali. Goddess Shakti, in her furious form, is honored as the slayer of all evil and negativity. She is also known by the name “the face of regeneration and destruction.” To obtain victory over the enemies and the eradication of evil forces, one should seek her blessings for Kali Chaudas.
How is Kaali Chaudas celebrated?
Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated to symbolize victory of good over evil. According to the legend, Narak was vanquished and killed on the fast of Narak Chaturdashi with the help of Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali. After the demon was defeated, an oil bath was reported to have been had by Lord Krishna at the Brahma Muhurta.
For this reason, taking an oil bath with all the necessary precautions before sunrise is considered extremely fortunate. Narak Chaturdashi is an auspicious day to keep all bad luck and negative energy out of your life. It is a day of new beginnings, in which we put an end to our sloth and lay the groundwork for a prosperous future.
Legends related to Narak Chaturdashi or Kaali chaudas:
The murder of of Narakasura:
One of the most dreadful and cruel Rakshasas, Narakasura had attained immense power both in the skies and on Earth. Even the strong Deva king, Indra, was unable to defend the Devaloka or Swargaloka from the primitive demon’s attack, forcing him to escape. In these circumstances, all of the Devas (Gods) requested for the help of the most-pervading Lord Vishnu. Assurances had been given to the devas by the great lord that Narakusara’s demise would occur during the rebirth of Lord Vishnu as Krishna. Indeed, the demon and Lord Krishna fought in a violent battle that resulted in the latter’s effortless destruction. It is thought that this demon’s death occurred on Roop Chaudas’s day, Narak Chaturdashi.
Legend of Lord Hanuman
Everyone knows Lord Hanuman as Lord Rama’s favorite supporter. Hanuman saw the sun when he was a baby and, believing it to be a wonderful fruit, ate it up, plunging the entire world into complete darkness. All of the gods and demi-gods begged Hanuman to release the sun on the day of Kali Chaudas, but he refused. Lord Indra struck him with his thunderbolt, striking him in the mouth, and the sun emerged, bringing light back to the world.
Legend of Bali
King Bali was one of the most charitable kings and became well-known for it, but the reputation got to his head, and he grew arrogant. When he began disparaging and degrading those who approached him for alms, Lord Vishnu made the decision to discipline him by taking on the form of Vaman, a dwarf. When Bali urged him to ask for whatever he desired, Lord Vaman requested land equivalent to only three steps of his. The Lord measured the entire globe with his first step and the entire heavens with his second.He then enquired as to Bali’s third-step placement. Bali kneeled down and asked the Lord to put his final foot on his head, he was saved. Therefore, people honor Kali Chaudas on this day to ward off greed.
Significance of Narak Chaturdashi or Kaali Chaudas
The dark aspects of life are said to be represented by Rahu, the planet in astrology, and it is thought that many of the terrible consequences that an improperly placed Rahu may cause can be relieved by worshiping Kali, the great goddess. On Narak Nivaran Chaturdashi, anyone with serious Rahu-related problems should take extra care of themselves in order to please the Goddess. This is why Kali Chaudas is so important.
Rituals of Narak Chaturdashi
There are many different ways that Narak Chaturdashi rituals are celebrated throughout India. It takes place as a harvest celebration in India’s rural communities. On this day, people worship Lord Hanuman in several parts of India. They bring him special offerings of coconuts along with rice flakes, jaggery, ghee, and sesame seeds. The freshly harvested rice is used. Sandalwood, oil, and unique flowers are used in the puja.
On this day, individuals usually wake up earlier than normal, take a ritual bath, and massage themselves with special herbal oils. This bath, also known as abhyanga snan, must be completed in the presence of the moon before morning.
People believe that sesame oil, which is used in this bath, helps shield them from poverty and bad luck. Then, they put on fresh or clean clothing.At the family temples in their hometowns, they honor the mother deity known as Kula Devi..
On this day, people in some parts of India also give food to their ancestors.. They share breakfast with loved ones and close friends. Along with a delicious lunch, they enjoy delicious sweet treats. Everyone watches the fireworks display in the evening with immense excitement.
Celebration of Kali Chaudas in different states
1. In West Bengal, this day is known as Bhoot Chaturdashi, and it is believed that the souls of the deceased visit their loved ones on earth on this day because the veil between worlds thins. Some people light 14 diyas around the house because they think the family receives visits from 14 forefathers on this day.
2. In Goa, they use paper images of Narakasura to represent evil. They add grass and firecrackers to this. After burning these effigies and fireworks, folks head back to their houses at 4:00 am and take their traditional baths. They crush a fruit known as kareet under their feet to represent the crushing of evil. They prepare and share a variety of poha (beaten rice) dishes and sweets with loved ones.
3. In Tamil Nadu, they worship the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, on this day. Moreover, they follow a unique fast or eating restriction known as “nombu” on this day.
