Narak Chaturdashi, which falls on the second day of Diwali after Dhanteras, is celebrated as an important day in all Maharashtrian families. Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated for the victory of Lord Krishna against Narakasur and hence the name. According to Hindu mythology, Narakasur, the son of Mother Earth, becomes an evil asur who ruled several kingdoms brought under his rule by force. Narakasur comes to rule Heaven and Earth. Lord Indra pleads with Lord Vishnu who promises to deal with the matter in his incarnation as Krishna. In his incarnation as Krishna, he attacks Narakasur while riding his mount Garuda with his wife Satyabhama and beheads him with the Sudarshan Chakra.
In another version, it is said that Narkasur is granted a boon by Lord Brahma that he will only die at the hands of a woman. So in the battle, it is Lord Krishna's wife Satyabhama who beheads him with Krishna as her saarthi.
So the rituals for this day include breaking a bitter fruit. The bitter fruit symbolises the defeat of Narakasur. Like Dussehra, the defeat of Narakasur reminds us that good always win over the evil.
In West Bengal, this day is known as Kali Chaudas. The day marks the defeat of Narakasur at the hands of Goddess Kali.
In Maharashtra, families celebrate this day by getting up early in the morning and having an abhyanga snan with 'ubtan'. This ubtan is a mixture of chandan, ambe haldi, multani mitti, khus, Rose, besan etc. People worship the Lord by visiting temple early in the morning and bursting crackers. The muhurt for the Abhyang Snan this year is 5:22 am to 6:46 am.
In southern India, people wake up early and take a holy bath. Then they make a paste of kumkum and oil and apply it on their foreheads. Some communities in Tamil Nadu do Lakshmi Puja on this day.
In West Bengal, one will find the idols of Goddess installed in various pandals across the state.
In Goa, the day is celebrated like Dusshera. The only difference is that here effigies of Narakasur are made and destroyed instead of Ravana.
Now that we know the real reasons behind our celebrations, it's more fun to celebrate it!
