what is narak chaturdashi

Narak Chaturdashi, also known as Kali Chaudas, Narak Chaudas, Roop Chaudas, or Choti Diwali, is an annual Hindu festival that falls on the 14th day of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin or Kartika. It is the second day of the five-day long festival of Diwali. The festival celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. It is a day of new beginnings when people get rid of laziness and set the foundation for a bright and prosperous future. The rituals of Narak Chaturdashi are strongly suggestive of the origin of Diwali as a harvest festival, and it is a day to ward off all evil and negative energies from ones life. The festival is observed with prayers, religious rituals, and the preparation of delicacies from pounded semi-cooked rice, which is taken from the fresh harvest available at that time. In Karnataka, the festival of Deepavali starts from this day with early morning traditional oil bath, aarti, and bursting firecrackers, and extends till Bali Padyami, which is the main day of Deepavali celebration.