Roop Chaturdashi is also known as Narak Chaturdashi, Narak Chaudas, Roop Chaudas and Narka Puja. Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated on Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi with worship of Lord Yamraj, the Lord of death. This year, Roop Chaturdashi will be celebrated on 31 October Roop Chaturdashi, 2024. This festivals is celebrated as Choti Diwali. Lamps are lit and houses are decorated on this day. Eating sesame seeds and using oil for a massage and bath are considered to be very important on Roop Chaudas.
Narak Chaturdashi
Narak Chaturdashi puja is done to protect oneself from untimely death and maintain good health. According to a legend, Lord Krishna killed Narkasur on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month. He freed saints and devas from Narkasur’s horror.
Roop Chaturdashi Mythological Basis
Narak Chaturdashi is also known as Roop Chaturdashi. Lord Krishna is worshipped on this day. A person’s visual appearance is enhanced by worshipping Lord Krishna. According to a famous story associated with Narak Chaturdashi, a saint used to live in a place called Hiranyagarbha. Once this saint tried to invoke the Lord by praying to him. He offered austerities and faced a lot of problems.
Due to the problems that he had to face, he was distressed and tensed. Narad Muni visited him and asked about the problem. The saint asked Narad Muni why he had to face so many problems despite worshipping the Lord. Narad Muni told him that he had prayed in an inappropriate manner and that was the reason why he had to face so many problems.
Narad Muni suggested that the saint should keep a fast on the day of Chaturdashi in Kartik Krishna Paksha. He also suggested that the saint should worship Lord Krishna on this day. Narad Muni assured him that he would be beautiful and healthy if he does so. The saint followed all different principles of the fast and became healthy and beautiful. Due to this, Narak Chaturdashi came to be known as Roop Chaturdashi.
Roop Chaturdashi Importance
On this day, a person should wake up early and take a bath. You should put some Apamarg leaves in water before you take a bath. A four faced lamp should be kept in a plate for worshipping the Lord. Roli, jaggery, gulal and flowers should also be kept in this plate.
After worshipping the Lord, all the lamps are lit in different corners of your home. Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi should also be worshipped with dhoop and lamps. Lamps are also donated on this day. Fourteen lamps are lit in southern direction. These are dedicated to Lord Yamraj. A person worshipping with devotion is freed from all sins and problems.