Why do we celebrate Chhoti Diwali?

Why do we celebrate Chhoti Diwali?

FWS - With the festival of lights being just a day away, we are obviously all pepped up to celebrate the festival of lights. Marking the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, the celebration of Diwali sees people perform pujas of goddess Lakshmi, exchange sweets and greet their near and dear ones.

Diwali, however, is part of a five-day long festival that begins from Dhanteras, to Naraka Chaturdasi (Chhoti Diwali), Diwali, Padva and ends with Bhai Dooj, which most of us are not aware of.

The day between Dhanteras and Diwali is commemorated as Chhoti Diwali, as it is known to us. Also known as Naraka Chaturdashi and Roop Chaturdashi, people celebrate the day by lighting up their homes as they wait for the main day. There are many legends associated with the day.

One mythological legend suggests that the demon king, Narakasur, who was the ruler of Pragjyotishpur (province to the South of Nepal) defeated Lord Krishna and other deities. He also imprisoned 16,000 daughters of various gods and snatched the earrings of goddess Aditi, considered as a mother to all gods and goddesses.

One day prior to Naraka Chaturdashi, Lord Krishna defeated the demon and freed all the imprisoned daughters. He also recovered the precious earrings of goddess Aditi. On the day of Chhoti Diwali, he returned home victorious, and thus this day is celebrated to mark his triumph over the demon.

The day of Chhoti Diwali is also known as Bali Pratipada (the word 'Pratiprada' means someone under the foot of a challenger).

Legend has it that Bali was a very influential king. All the gods feared that he might conquer all the three lokas and rule them in unjust ways. In order to combat this fear, Lord Vishnu went to him in Vamana avatar and asked him to give just 3-foot space of his kingdom.

Bali, full of pride, called him a beggar and agreed to give anything he begged for. The intelligent Lord Vishnu covered all the three lokas in mere two footsteps, asking the majestic king where he should put his third foot. Bali told him to keep it on his heads, and thus, Lord Vishnu conquered his head and grabbed all the three lokas from him.

And thus, Chhoti Diwali is celebrated to rejoice the victory of goodness and the defeat of greed.Now you know why this day has a far deeper significance than mere display of grandeur. The festival, therefore, is dedicated to a prosperous future and the elimination of greed.(dailymail)