Chhoti Diwali: Cleansing the self, welcoming the divine

The soft glow of oil lamps, the fragrance of freshly applied ubtan, and the gentle hum of festive anticipation fill the air-this is Chhoti Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, the second day of the five-day Diwali festival. Often overshadowed by the grandeur of the main Diwali night, Chhoti Diwali holds its own quiet significance-a day that marks not just preparation for celebration, but purification before illumination.
While Diwali is the festival of lights, Chhoti Diwali is the dawn before the light, a symbolic victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Its rituals and legends remind us that true celebration begins only when the inner shadows are dispelled.
The Legend of Narakasura
The roots of Chhoti Diwali lie deep in Hindu mythology, in the dramatic tale of Narakasura, the demon king of Pragjyotishpur (present-day Assam). Narakasura, the son of Bhudevi (Mother Earth) and Varaha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was a powerful ruler. But with time, arrogance overtook righteousness. He became cruel and tyrannical, imprisoning celestial maidens and seizing the precious earrings of Aditi, the mother of the gods.
Unable to bear his atrocities, the gods turned to Lord Krishna for help. In response, Krishna mounted his celestial vehicle Garuda, with his consort Satyabhama, and attacked Narakasura’s fortress. A fierce battle ensued, and in the end, it was Satyabhama-an incarnation of Bhudevi herself-who killed Narakasura, thus redeeming her son from his sins.
Before dying, Narakasura repented and requested that his death be celebrated with joy and lights, symbolizing the end of evil and the triumph of virtue. His wish was granted, and ever since, Naraka Chaturdashi has been observed as a day of victory, renewal, and cleansing-a precursor to Diwali’s light.
The Day of Cleansing and Renewal
Unlike the opulent celebrations of the following day, Chhoti Diwali is marked by quiet rituals of purification. It is believed that Lord Krishna took a bath after slaying Narakasura, washing away the dirt and blood from battle. Emulating this divine act, devotees perform the Abhyang Snan, an early-morning ritual bath believed to purify body and soul.
The Abhyang Snan Ritual
Before dawn, people apply fragrant oils such as sesame or coconut infused with herbs, followed by a cleansing ubtan made of gram flour, turmeric, and sandalwood. This ritual is said to remove fatigue, impurities, and negative energies accumulated over the year. Bathing before sunrise on this day is believed to bring health, protection, and prosperity.
After the bath, homes are decorated with rangolis, marigold garlands, and diyas. The soft radiance of lamps fills every corner, symbolizing the illumination of wisdom after cleansing. In many families, traditional sweets are prepared, and the mood is one of gentle joy rather than grandeur.
Yamadeepdaan: Lamps for Longevity
Another beautiful custom observed on Chhoti Diwali is Yamadeepdaan-the lighting of lamps dedicated to Yamraj, the god of death. According to a popular legend, the sixteen-year-old son of King Hima was destined to die by a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage. His clever wife, determined to save him, placed shining gold ornaments and lamps at the doorway and kept her husband awake through the night with stories and songs. When Yama arrived in the form of a serpent, he was dazzled by the brilliance of the lamps and spent the night listening to her songs instead of taking the boy’s life.
Since then, small diyas are placed outside homes facing south (the direction associated with Yama) on Chhoti Diwali night to ward off untimely death and invite longevity and well-being. Symbolically, it teaches that the light of love and devotion can overpower even the shadow of death.
Regional Celebrations Across India
Though commonly known as Chhoti Diwali in North India, this day carries different names and practices across regions, each reflecting a unique cultural tone.
– North India: The day is celebrated with small-scale fireworks, oil baths, and lighting of lamps. Markets are lively, homes glow with early diyas, and preparations for the main Diwali night intensify.
– Maharashtra: People rise early for Abhyang Snan, offer prayers to Krishna, and enjoy traditional delicacies like poha, ladoo, chakli, and karanji. It is a time for relaxation before the grandeur of Lakshmi Puja the next evening.
– South India: In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated with great fervor. Temples are adorned, conch shells resound at dawn, and devotees burst crackers in remembrance of Krishna’s victory. In many households, it is regarded as even more sacred than the main Diwali night.
– Gujarat: The day marks the second phase of Diwali celebrations, where lamps are lit and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi. The festive atmosphere begins to peak as the New Year approaches.
In essence, no matter the region, the theme of Chhoti Diwali remains constant-cleansing, protection, and the awakening of light.
On a spiritual level, the demon Narakasura represents the darker instincts within human nature-ego, greed, lust, and ignorance. His defeat by Lord Krishna symbolizes the triumph of divine consciousness over the lower self.
Chhoti Diwali thus becomes a day of introspection and purification. Lighting lamps signifies illuminating the mind; taking the oil bath reflects washing away inner impurities; and discarding old clutter symbolizes letting go of mental and emotional baggage.
Before celebrating Diwali-the festival of light-Chhoti Diwali reminds us to first conquer the darkness within. It teaches that to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, one must first cleanse the heart of negativity.
Modern Relevance: Reclaiming the Forgotten Day
In modern urban life, Chhoti Diwali is often treated merely as a day for early fireworks or Diwali preparation. Yet, its spiritual message feels more urgent than ever. Amidst the stress of daily living, this day invites people to pause-to detox not only their homes but their minds.
Eco-friendly rituals like using natural oils, clay lamps, and herbal ubtans have revived the day’s original essence of harmony with nature. Yoga practitioners often dedicate the morning to surya namaskar (sun salutations) after the ritual bath, aligning with the festival’s theme of renewal.
Chhoti Diwali can be reimagined as a festival of mindfulness-a reminder to disconnect from chaos and reconnect with the self.
As dusk descends and lamps begin to flicker along verandahs and courtyards, Chhoti Diwali ushers in an air of peace and quiet preparation. It is the calm before the storm of celebration-the moment when darkness yields to light, and silence gives way to joy.
More than a festival, Chhoti Diwali is a state of mind-a reminder that before we seek external prosperity, we must first achieve inner purity. Before we light the world, we must light ourselves.
It whispers a timeless truth from the heart of Indian tradition:
The greatest victory is not over others, but over the darkness within.