Narak Chaturdashi 2025 – Why You Should Pay Attention Today
Every year just before the main Diwali celebrations, comes the auspicious festival of Narak Chaturdashi, also known as Chhoti Diwali, Roop Chaudas or Kali Chaudas. In 2025, this sacred day falls on Sunday, 19 October (Chaturdashi Tithi begins 19 Oct at 01:51 pm and ends 20 Oct at 03:44 pm).
It is a day loaded with symbolism and ritual — a day when you can cleanse negativity, embrace prosperity, honour ancestors and set the tone for the coming year. Let’s explore what it means, how it’s observed and how you can make the most of it in 2025 — especially if you’re in Telangana, Shamshabad or anywhere in India.
What is Narak Chaturdashi – Festival Meaning & Origins
- Mythologically, Narak Chaturdashi marks the day when the demon Narakasura was defeated by Krishna (and in some traditions, by goddess Kali) – this victory symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
- It falls on the 14th lunar day (Chaturdashi) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu month of Kartik (or Ashwin in some traditions).
- Also in many regions it’s called “Chhoti Diwali” (Little Diwali) because it immediately precedes the main Diwali night and shares many of its festivities.
- In places like West Bengal it is celebrated as Bhoot Chaturdashi, where ancestors and spirits are honoured—symbolising an “Indian Halloween” vibe.
Why does this matter? Because understanding the why behind the festival helps you feel its power, not just perform the rituals mechanically. It’s not only about lighting lamps — it’s about inner purification, renewal and inviting longevity and abundance into your life.
Significance of Narak Chaturdashi 2025 – What You Gain
- Inner purification: The early morning ritual of oil‑massage (“Abhyang Snan”) before sunrise helps cleanse the body and mind of negative energy. (The Indian Express)
- Protection from untimely death / Yama’s blessings: According to tradition, lighting the lamp for Yama (God of death) in the evening removes fear of untimely death and invites health and longevity.
- Welcoming prosperity & light: As with Diwali, lighting diyas (lamps) drives away darkness and negativity and invites the goddess Lakshmi (wealth) and auspiciousness into your home.
- Regional blessings: Whether you are in Telangana (Hyderabad/Shamshabad region) or elsewhere, the underlying principle remains the same: it’s a moment of spiritual reset. By honouring it, you align with cosmic rhythms and invite growth.
So if you want to start your Diwali season on a powerful note in Hyderabad/Shamshabad, recognising Narak Chaturdashi properly gives you a strong foundation.
How to Observe Narak Chaturdashi 2025 – Rituals & Key Steps
Here are the important rituals you can follow — especially for someone in Shamshabad / Telangana — to make the day meaningful and powerful.
Morning Ritual – Abhyang Snan (Oil Massage + Bath)
- Wake up during Brahma Muhurta (early dawn) and before sunrise. In 2025, the Abhyang Snan muhurat is around 05:29 AM to 06:39 AM.
- Use til (sesame) oil to massage your entire body. Then apply a traditional ubtan (a paste of herbs, turmeric, etc.) and then take a bath. This is said to remove negative energy and make you radiant.
- Wear clean/new clothes after the bath. Sit quietly for a moment, reflect on what you wish to let go of (negativity, bad habits) and what you wish to welcome (health, peace, prosperity).
Evening Ritual – Yam Deepdan & Puja of Yama
- As evening sets in, light a lamp or diya dedicated to Yama (God of Death) typically at the south‑western corner of your home or outside the main door. This is called Yam Deepdan. Doing this is believed to remove the fear of untimely death and bring long life and calm.
- Offer water, sesame seeds (til), and maybe a red flower while chanting “ॐ यमाय नमः”. This invocation to Yama brings blessings.
- After that, light oil lamps around the house — in the Puja room, at the main door, near the Tulsi plant and in other corners. This drives away darkness and invites light and prosperity.
Additional Remedies & Traditions for Prosperity
- Offer til (sesame seeds), jaggery, rice flakes and ghee as prasad (offerings) to the deities. These ingredients are often used in rituals on this day.
- Clean your house thoroughly. Because this festival is about cleaning out the old (negativity) and welcoming the new (prosperity).
- In Telangana / Shamshabad you can also invite family together, share a simple meal, and exchange greetings — this builds collective positive energy.
- If you like, you can perform a small Lakshmi Puja or Hanuman Puja in the evening, to further invite blessings.
Regional Variation for West Bengal / East India
In case you have family or travel there: On this day they light 14 diyas for 14 ancestors, and eat “choddo shaag” (14 types of leafy vegetables) in celebration of ancestors and to ward off evil.
Although this is more relevant to Bengal, you could adopt some symbolic gesture in your place.
Specific Remedies (उपाय) You Can Do on Narak Chaturdashi – for Wellness, Prosperity & Protection
Below are seven targeted remedies — derived from traditional scriptures and local practice — arranged so you can adopt them easily in Telangana/Shamshabad home.
- Til‑oil Abhyang + ubtan in Brahma Muhurta – this directly helps cleansing of body and mind.
- Yam Deepdan at your home’s south‑western direction in the evening – reduces the fear of untimely death and invites longevity.
- Light Diyas around the house (main door, pooja room, kitchen, Tulsi) – drives away negativity and invites wealth.
- Offer sesame seeds, jaggery, rice flakes as prasad – symbolises abundance and sweetness of life.
- Wake up early and clean the house – physically and energetically tidy your space so fresh energy can flow.
- Wear fresh/new clothes post‑bath – symbolises inner renewal and fresh start.
- Reflect & release – spend 10–15 minutes quietly, think about what to let go (old grudges, negativity) and what you want to welcome (health, prosperity, peace). Write it down if you like.
When you perform these remedies with sincerity, you align with the festival’s deeper meaning and invite real results into your life.
Read also : Diwali 2025: When & How to Perform Lakshmi Puja?
Why Observing It Properly Matters
If you are living in anywhere in India, paying attention to Narak Chaturdashi gives you some special advantages:
- It gives you a head‑start into the Diwali season — not just the fun and lights, but the meaning.
- It helps you cleanse your personal space (home, mind, body) before the big celebration — so you start fresh.
- It aligns with regional traditions (Telangana also observes the oil bath, diyas and cleaning). By participating you connect with community energy and shared joy.
- It invites blessings for health, prosperity, protection — all the things we aspire for as we head into a new year-phase.
- It offers a meaningful moment to gather family, share rituals and set intentions — which strengthens family bonds and positive energy in the home.
Quick FAQs – Must Know
- Q: What time should I perform the oil bath (Abhyang Snan)?
A: In 2025 the muhurat is approx. 05:29 AM to 06:39 AM. - Q: Can I do it later in the day if I miss the early morning?
A: The tradition emphasises early morning, but if you miss it, do it soon after waking and before many everyday tasks, with pure intention. - Q: Does this replace Diwali’s main puja?
A: No — Narak Chaturdashi is the prelude. The main Diwali puja (Lakshmi Puja etc.) still follows. - Q: I live in a small apartment in Shamshabad — can I still do all this?
A: Absolutely. Use sesame oil for self‑massage, apply a simple ubtan, light a small diyas, keep space tidy, do the reflection — spirit matters more than grandeur. - Q: What if I can’t get all the ingredients for ubtan or sesame oil?
A: Use what you have (any pure oil, a clean bath, intention of cleansing). The sincerity matters most.
Set Your Intention & Start This Festival Right
This Narak Chaturdashi in 2025 offers you more than ritual — it offers renewal. By embracing early morning cleansing, lighting lamps with purpose, honouring protection (Yama) and inviting abundance (Lakshmi), you prepare yourself and your home for the festive journey ahead.
Whether you are in Shamshabad, Telangana, or elsewhere in India, treat this day as a pause — a moment to clear the old and welcome the new. Set your intention clearly: “I release what no longer serves me. I welcome health, prosperity, protection, light.” Then perform the rituals with faith and ease.
May this Narak Chaturdashi bring you peace, prosperity, long life, and a home full of light. शुभ नरक चतुर्दशी!
