Diwali is one of India’s most popular festivals, and it is celebrated with much pomp and show. The five-day celebration of lights will kick off with Dhanteras and conclude with Bhai Dooj. Choti Diwali is observed on the 14th day of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) of Kartik, the Hindu lunar month. This year’s celebration will be held on November 3rd in India.

People buy precious jewels on the first day of the holiday, known as Dhanteras since it is considered auspicious. People rise up early on the second day, known as Choti Diwali, to bathe in natural oils and pray. Diwali is celebrated on the third day with Lakshmi Puja and the exchange of sweets with family members. Diwali represents the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. On this day, people decorate their homes with diyas and other colorful lights.

What is Choti Diwali?

Choti Diwali (also known as Roop Chaudas or Naraka Chaturdashi) is observed on the day before Diwali across India, as Roop Chaudas. People celebrate by adorning their houses with lights and bursting crackers as a show of excitement. The five-day celebration of lights begins with Dhanteras, continues with Naraka Chaturdashi, the main day of Diwali, is followed by Govardhan Pooja, and concludes with Bhai Dooj. This five-day festival is widely celebrated across India, with activities like worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, making Rangolis, decorating their homes with diyas, preparing sweets. People also exchange Diwali gifts and look for new home décor to add to their collection. Some like to add a personal touch to the festival by purchasing Diwali gifts online.

Diwali is a joyous occasion since it commemorates the triumph of good over evil, but did you know that Naraka Chaturdashi is also a major day in Hinduism? So, we’ve put together this blog article to assist you to understand why Choti Diwali is celebrated in India since we’re frequently puzzled about why we celebrate these days.

The History of Choti Diwali and its Importance

The origin of the day, like most other Hindu festivals, can be traced back to Hindu mythology. According to the legend, there was once a demon king, Narakasur (the ‘Sur’ at the end of a person’s name in Hindu mythology denotes evil), who ruled over Pragjyotishpur, a territory to the south of Nepal.

Narakasur, after conquering Lord Indra, is said to have taken Aditi’s exquisite earrings and imprisoned 16 thousand daughters of the deities and saints. Aditi was related to Lord Krishna’s wife, Satyabhama, and is regarded as the “Mother of Gods.”

Satyabhama was enraged when he learned about Narakasur’s heinous crime.  She then approached Lord Krishna with a request. She asked Krishna to give her the opportunity to kill Narakasur and free the world of his bad intentions. Narakasur was cursed, according to the myth, and his fate would be at the hands of a lady.

Satyabhama’s request was fulfilled by Lord Krishna. Because of Lord Krishna’s blessing, she was now able to combat Narakasur. The fight started, and Satyabhama’s charioteer was Lord Krishna. Satyabhama felt that with Lord Krishna on her side, Narakasur’s loss was certain.

Lord Krishna, on the other hand, had a distinct perspective. Lord Krishna feigned to lose consciousness in order to strengthen Satyabhama. Satyabhama was now forced to fight on her own. And she did so valiantly, eventually defeating and beheading the demon king.

Following Narakasur’s death, all of the imprisoned ladies were released. Aditi’s exquisite earrings were also recovered. Lord Krishna smeared the blood of the demon king on his forehead as a sign of triumph, the victory of good over evil. The day of Narakasur’s defeat is the day before Naraka Chaturdashi. Since the day this defeat has been commemorated as Naraka Chaturdashi.

Lord Krishna came home from a fight early the following day (Naraka Chaturdashi) and was warmly welcomed. Something fascinating occurred on the opposite side of the land. While Narakasur was still alive, his mother, Bhudevi, declared that her son’s death would be remembered as a day of celebration and happiness, rather than grief and mourning.

The festival of Diwali is said to have originated as a result of her vow to celebrate. The festivities are represented by the lightings and diyas, as well as the firecrackers.

The festivities take many forms in different regions and cultures. The day of Choti Diwali is mostly observed in India. In the southern portion of India, the day is remembered as the day when kindness triumphed over evil. 

The day of Choti Diwali is also known as Bali Pratipada, in addition to Naraka Chaturdashi. The term “Pratiprada” refers to the act of blowing the opponent’s foot.

According to legend, Bali was a great monarch. Bali’s greatness and might were so great that even the gods were afraid he would conquer the three Loks, heaven, earth, and hell. To put a stop to this, Lord Bishnu disguised himself as a sage and traveled to Bali. Lord Bishnu then requested Bali to show him all the ground he could traverse in three paces.

As the mighty monarch that he was, Bali consented to assist the impoverished sage by fulfilling his request. The sage then removed the disguise, and Lord Vishnu quickly covered all of the Loks. He requested Bali’s head for the third pace. Bali consented, and the reign came to an end.

And so the festivities started.

How to Celebrate Diwali Responsibly?

Loading up on mithai, bursting crackers, and spending the day watching TV specials are just a few of the things that the kid in me loves about Diwali. However, it is also true that these festivities lead to increased air and noise pollution in India. They endanger numerous lives and have a long-term effect on the ecosystem. And it is for this reason that we must discover better methods to celebrate responsibly. Here’s a quick way to celebrate a sustainable Diwali this festive period.

Responsible Gifting

What better way to brighten your day than to put a smile on the faces of people you care about? And gifts definitely help! Here are a few ideas to help you bring your A-game when it comes to thoughtful gifting:

Small, Local, and Sustainable Shopping

To avoid seeming didactic or repetitious, purchasing from small, sustainable local businesses is a game-changer for leading a more aware life — and essential for your sustainable Diwali festivities! So keep this in mind while you go shopping for gifts.

Homemade is Heartfelt

You may believe that store-bought gifts are more spectacular, but even the most basic homemade gifts may make your loved ones feel particularly special. The amount of work, effort, and love that goes into creating anything much outweighs the wow factor of a high price tag! Whether it’s baked goods straight from the oven or a nice little handwritten card, your friends and family will appreciate the thoughtfulness of a present that you took the time to make.

The Gift of Time

I know it sounds trite, but considering the condition of the world, spending time with your loved ones may be all they need right now. So, even if it isn’t a gift, be sure to take some time out of your festivities to snuggle folks you care about (while remaining safe, of course!).

The Proof is in the Wrapping

When I think about presents, I grimace at the image of heaps of wrapping paper and plastic ribbons that wind up in garbage cans the next morning. In truth, many of these glitzy extras are neither recyclable or environmentally friendly. Having said that, the conundrum is that you want your presents to be properly wrapped. So, after some research, here are my top recommendations for dressing up your presents in a fashionable but environmentally friendly manner:

Invest in Reusable Packaging

This may include cloth wrapping, reusable bags, or cardboard boxes that your recipient can reuse.
Make use of old mail wrapping tissues, ribbons, boxes, twine, and so on (you can even iron your ribbons to put them back to their former condition!). And, of course, there’s always the good old newspaper to fall back on when everything else fails. As an alternative to ribbons, include some natural elements.

Choose Diyas Instead of Crackers

It’s been a ritual for as long as we can remember, and it’s also a lot of fun to burst crackers, but they do more damage than good. Aside from the apparent noise and air pollution, crackers contain far too many chemicals that are hazardous to human health and represent a safety danger. Not to mention our canine companions who suffer during the festivities; it seems a bit unjust to me. Instead, fill your house with beautiful organic candles or diyas to welcome the festive season with light.

Purchase an Indoor Plant or Plant a Tree

Plants provide a new depth to any space. And if I had my way, everyone would have them. Plant a tree in your backyard and watch it grow, or go green inside if you can. In any case, it will make your Diwali more memorable.

Make Use of Organic Rangoli Colors

If you’re a sucker for traditions like me, these rangolis could become a part of your Diwali morning ritual as well. Choose organic rangoli powder or create your own using rice flour, turmeric, dried hibiscus flowers, orange peels, and other ingredients. DIY projects can be a lot of fun!

Final Word

If you’re still uncertain about what to gift your loved ones (even to the ones that live far away) this Diwali, I may have something for you. OroPocket makes international transfers in Gold and Silver an easy ride. Send Gold or Silver to your loved ones across the globe within seconds without the hefty fees!

I hope you liked learning about these little but significant actions that may help you raise your celebrations while also making them more eco-friendly. Remember to celebrate responsibly, to be safe, and to have a wonderful, sustainable Diwali, peeps!