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Narak Chaturdashi 2024 Date - Importance of Naraka Chaturdashi During Diwali

Naraka Chaturdasi, or Narak Chaturdashi, is associated with the Deepavali or Diwali celebrations. Naraka Chaturdasi 2024 date is October 31. In South India, Naraka Chaturdasi is observed on the Deepavali day. In North India, it is observed a day before Diwali on the Choti Diwali day. Naraka Chaturdasi day celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over Demon Naraka (Narakasura or Narakasuran).


It must be noted here that in certain years Diwali in South India is celebrated a day before the celebrations in North India.

The legend for celebrating Diwali in North India is based on the return of Lord Ram from exile to Ayodhya. But in South India the legend is Krishna defeating demon Naraka with the help of Satyabhama.

Note - This Legend is based on Oral Tradition in South India which is narrated as the story of Deepavali. The story is different from the one found in Srimad Bhagavad Purana. As per Bhagavad Purana, Narakasura is killed by Sri Krishna using his Sudarshana Chakra or discus.

Story of Narak Chaturdashi 

Who is Narakasura?

Narakasura is a daitya (demon) born to Bhudevi (Goddess Lakshmi) and Lord Varaha (Lord Vishnu). He was the king of Pragjyotisha Nagar (now in Assam). He had the King’s position after overthrowing Danava king Ghatakasura. He had got a boon that he will only be killed by his mother.

Legend has it that Demon Naraka, the son of Bhumi Devi and Vishnu, with the help of a boon from Brahma became very powerful. The boon was that he could only be killed by his mother Bhumi Devi. With such immense power Naraka lost his self control and his ego took over him. He started harassing people and demigods. He also forcibly took away the earrings of Aditi, the mother of devas.

Finally, the task of annihilating Naraka fell on Krishna. As always, a clever Lord Krishna asked his wife Satyabhama, an incarnation of Bhumi Devi, to accompany him to the battle against Naraka and be his charioteer.

Murari

Naraka’s palace was guarded by the five-headed demon Murasura. Mura hurled countless weapons at Krishna, but Krishna shot each one down with his bow and arrow. Then Krishna picked up his flying discus (Sudarshana Chakra) and hurled it towards Murasura dislocating Mura’s five heads. Mura fell to the ground and died. This is how Krishna got the name “Murari”.

Then Krishna and Narakasura fought each other. The battle between Naraka and Krishna shook the entire world. During the battle, an arrow hits Krishna and he acts being unconscious.

Satyabhama could not tolerate this and she took the bow and arrow of Krishna and kills Demon Naraka.

It is said that before dying Naraka realized his mistakes and requested for a festival in his name from his parents which will remind people what will happen when they are overtook by inflated egos.

Naraka Chaturdasi thus indicates that good and evil rises from the same root. It also suggests that personal relationships do not matter when it comes to the good of the society. Victory of good over evil always prevails.