Narak Chaturdashi, also known as Kali Chaudas, Choti Diwali, Roop Chaturdashi, and Roop Chaudas. It is an important festival observed before the Diwali celebrations. It falls on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik.
The festival is especially known for the traditional Abhyang Snan, or oil bath. This helps cleanse the body and mind and remove negativity. At the same time, devotees also light lamps, offer prayers, and follow different rituals according to their regional traditions.
However, there is an interesting point about this festival. In many parts of India, people call the day Narak Chaturdashi, while in Gujarat and some other regions, people popularly know it as Kali Chaudas. Although people often use these names for the same day, their traditions and religious significance differ.
Narak Chaturdashi 2026: Important Timings
- Festival: Narak Chaturdashi
- Also known as: Kali Chaudas, Choti Diwali, Roop Chaturdashi and Roop Chaudas
- Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Tithi: Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi
- Chaturdashi Tithi: November 7 at 10:47 AM to November 8 at 11:27 AM
- Main ritual: Abhyang Snan
- Associated with: Victory of good over evil
- Regional significance: Kali Chaudas is especially observed in Gujarat and Western India
Why Do People Also Call Narak Chaturdashi Kali Chaudas?
Narak Chaturdashi and Kali Chaudas are often treated as the same festival. But there is an important regional difference.
The name Narak Chaturdashi is mainly connected with the story of Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Therefore, the day represents the victory of good over evil and the removal of darkness and negativity. On the other hand, people commonly use the name Kali Chaudas in Gujarat and parts of Western India. The word “Chaudas” refers to the fourteenth day, while “Kali” is associated with the fierce and powerful form of Goddess Kali. The day therefore connects with protection, the removal of negative forces, and spiritual strength. So, why do people use two names?
The simple answer is that different regions developed their own traditions around the same Chaturdashi period. As a result, the stories, deities worshipped, and rituals can differ. In fact, some Panchang traditions make a distinction between Kali Chaudas and Narak Chaturdashi based on when the Chaturdashi Tithi occurs during the day or night.
Therefore, while people commonly use the two names interchangeably, they can have slightly different religious meanings and observances.
Significance of Narak Chaturdashi
Narak Chaturdashi holds special importance because it comes just before the main Diwali celebration. People traditionally see the festival as a time to remove darkness, negativity, and impurities before welcoming light and prosperity.
One of the most important traditions of the day is taking an Abhyang Snan, or a ritual oil bath, before sunrise. Traditionally, sesame oil is used, followed by a bath. It is believed that this ritual purifies the body and helps a person move away from negative influences.
Moreover, the festival reminds us of the victory of good over evil. Just as Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura, devotees are encouraged to overcome fear, anger, negativity, and harmful habits in their own lives. In this way, Narak Chaturdashi is not only about following rituals. It also gives a simple message of inner cleansing and starting afresh.
Story of Kali Chaudalas/Narak Chaturdashi
The story of Narak Chaturdashi is connected with Narakasura, a powerful demon who had become a source of trouble for the gods and people. According to popular Hindu traditions, Narakasura became extremely powerful and started causing suffering. He also imprisoned many women and took away valuable possessions.
To end his cruelty, Lord Krishna fought Narakasura and eventually defeated him. In some versions of the story, Satyabhama, Krishna’s wife, also plays an important role in the battle. After Narakasura was defeated, people celebrated the victory by lighting lamps and rejoicing. Therefore, Narak Chaturdashi came to be associated with the destruction of evil and the arrival of light.
Because of this story, the festival is also seen as a reminder that even when darkness appears powerful, good eventually has the strength to overcome it.
Abhyang Snan and Its Rituals
One of the most important traditions of Narak Chaturdashi is Abhyang Snan, the ritual oil bath taken before sunrise. Traditionally, people apply sesame oil to the body and then take a bath while the Chaturdashi Tithi is prevailing. People believe the ritual cleanses the body and mind and helps remove negativity before the main Diwali celebrations begin. However, people follow this tradition quite differently from one region to another. In fact, this is what makes Narak Chaturdashi so interesting. The central idea remains the same, but every region adds its own local customs, ingredients, and rituals.
How Do Different Parts of India Celebrate Abhyang Snan?
Narak Chaturdashi, or Kali Chaudas, has different regional traditions. Some of the most celebrated rituals, according to the state, are listed below.
Maharashtra:
In Maharashtra, families traditionally wake up early for Abhyang Snan and use scented oil and Ubtan before taking a bath. After the bath, a special custom involves crushing a bitter fruit called Karit or Karita under the feet. The bitter fruit represents Narakasura, and crushing it symbolises the destruction of evil and negativity. Some families also apply a mixture of oil and kumkum to the forehead as part of the tradition.
We should note that people mainly exchange the Apta leaves, popularly called sona or gold leaves, during Dussehra in Maharashtra, rather than Narak Chaturdashi. So, although both festivals have beautiful symbolic traditions, we should not mix them up.
Karnataka:
In Karnataka, an early morning oil bath is also an important part of Narak Chaturdashi. Families traditionally apply oil to the body and take a bath before sunrise. People commonly associate sesame oil with the Abhyang Snan ritual, while celebrants celebrate the day as a time to cleanse themselves and welcome the festive season.
Goa:
Goa celebrates Narak Chaturdashi in a particularly distinctive way. In many places, large Narakasura effigies are prepared and burnt at dawn. The burning of the effigy represents the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura and the destruction of evil.
Along with this, many Goan households also follow the traditional early morning bath. In some communities, people crush the bitter Karit fruit as a symbolic reminder of the destruction of negativity.
Gujarat:
In Gujarat, the day is widely known as Kali Chaudas. The celebrations can include different regional rituals connected with removing negative influences and seeking protection. Some traditional communities also observe special evening or night-time customs associated with Kali Chaudas.
Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India:
In several parts of South India, people closely connect the festival season with an early morning oil bath, followed by wearing new clothes, offering prayers and enjoying traditional festive food. The exact customs can vary between communities and families. The Abhyang Snan itself remains an important part of the Diwali morning in many households.
So, while the basic idea of Abhyang Snan remains common, the traditions surrounding it change beautifully from one place to another. In one region, a bitter fruit becomes a symbol of defeating evil; in another, an oil bath marks the beginning of the celebrations; while in Goa, a huge Narakasura effigy brings the story of the festival to life.
This regional diversity is one of the reasons Narak Chaturdashi is much more than just the day before Diwali. It is a festival where the same message of cleansing, positivity, and victory over evil takes different forms across India.
What does a day look like on Kali Chaudalas/Narak Chaturdashi
Devotees can follow several traditional rituals on Narak Chaturdashi. However, customs may differ from one region to another. Some of the common practices include:
- Taking an Abhyang Snan before sunrise.
- Using sesame oil as part of the traditional bath.
- Wearing clean or new clothes after the bath.
- Lighting diyas around the home.
- Offering prayers to Lord Krishna or other deities according to family tradition.
- Remembering the victory of good over evil.
- Cleaning the home and removing unwanted or negative things.
- In regions where Kali Chaudas is observed, devotees perform special prayers associated with Goddess Kali.
- Donating food, clothes, or other useful items to those in need.
Most importantly, people perform these rituals with devotion and the intention of starting the Diwali celebrations with a clean body, peaceful mind, and positive thoughts.
Diwali and Narak Chaturdashi connection
Narak Chaturdashi is an important part of the five-day Diwali festival. The day comes immediately before the main Diwali celebrations in the traditional sequence. Therefore, it acts as a transition between the earlier Diwali rituals and the celebration of Lakshmi Puja.
The idea is simple. Before welcoming light, prosperity and happiness, people symbolically remove darkness and negativity. This is why cleaning homes, taking a traditional bath, lighting diyas and offering prayers are important parts of the day.
Spiritual Importance and Meaning
The deeper meaning of Narak Chaturdashi goes beyond the story of Narakasura. The word “Narak” can remind us of the negative situations and habits that can make life difficult. Therefore, the festival encourages us to look within and identify the things we want to leave behind.
It could be anger, fear, jealousy, unhealthy habits, or negative thoughts. By letting go of these things, we can make space for positivity and peace. Similarly, the tradition of lighting lamps represents the removal of darkness. Thus, Narak Chaturdashi prepares us spiritually and emotionally for the festival of lights.
Conclusion
Narak Chaturdashi, or Kali Chaudas, is a festival that beautifully prepares us for Diwali. While different regions may celebrate it in different ways and use different names, the central message remains meaningful. It reminds us to remove darkness, let go of negativity, and make room for light and positivity. So, as we light the first diyas of the Diwali season, Narak Chaturdashi gives us a simple reminder: before we brighten our homes, we should also try to brighten our minds and hearts.