Krishna and Satyabhama on Gardua, slaying Narakasura with Sudarshana (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Humbled by its popularly known name “Choti Diwali” (literally, the “little Diwali”), Naraka Chaturthi (Naraka Chaturdashi, Naraka Chaudas, Roopa Chaturthi, Kali Chaudas) is a Hindu festival falling during the festive week of Deepawali with a lesser-known and intriguing story.
Named after the demon Narakasura, Naraka Chaturthi is celebrated across India in different ways, as a commemoration of Krishna and Satyabhama’s victory over the demon and the freeing of the world from the torments of the Asura. But who is Narakasura?
The tale of Narakasura begins not in darkness, but with a divine rescue.
The Puranas narrate the story of Narakasura, beginning with the abduction of the Earth goddess, Bhudevi by the demon Hiranyaksha. To protect Bhudevi, Sri Vishnu takes the incarnation of Varaha, one of the Dashavatars, and plunges into the depths of the great ocean. The boar-faced god brings Bhudevi to the surface, raising her on his tusks, a divine vision for the gods and humans who rejoice.
It was during this sacred moment some say from a drop of Varaha’s sweat, others from the piercing of his tusk into the Earth that Bhudevi conceived a child. This child, born of divine essence, was named Bhaumasura or Narakasura meaning “son of Bhumi (Earth).” Bhaumasura is also associated with the planet Mangala (Mars), often called Bhauma in Vedic astrology. The name Narakasura symbolizes the descent from divine origin into Naraka (hell-like qualities) through ego and misuse of power.
With her maternal instinct, Bhudevi requested God Vishnu to bless her son with the powerful Vaishnavastra, an undefeated weapon no one in the heavens could resist, in front of which all forces of Indra were soon to become powerless. Lord Vishnu agreed.
But power without wisdom often leads to downfall.
Narakasura, blessed by Vishnu’s might, grew arrogant and unruly. Despite his divine lineage, he strayed from the path of Dharma. His actions would soon shake both heaven and Earth.
Empowered by divine lineage and armed with the invincible Vaishnavastra, Narakasura grew into a fearsome warrior. But instead of upholding Dharma, he chose the path of dominance. His conquests began with the heavens themselves. Narakasura attacked the celestial realms, defeating the gods and seizing their sacred treasures. He attacked the city of gods, took away their wealth, and stole the powerful earrings of Devamata (mother of gods) Aditi and even captured Indra's legendary Vajra (thunderbolt).
Having won all there was in heaven, he turned his attention to Earth. There, he established his fortress at Prayagajyotishapura, with his capital at Kamarupa (modern-day Assam). This region would later become the seat of the historic Bhaumakara dynasty, claiming descent from Narakasura himself.
Just when it seemed the height of his devilish deeds had arrived, In a final act of cruelty, Narakasura abducted 16,000 women from royal, divine, and ascetic households. Imprisoned in his palace, their cries echoed the terror that gripped gods and mortals alike.
As Narakasura’s reign of terror intensified, both gods and humans suffered under his growing arrogance. His unchecked power disrupted cosmic order, and his defiance of divine law threatened the very fabric of Dharma. With no one left to challenge him, the Devas approached Lord Krishna, their hands folded in desperation. They pleaded with him to restore balance and end Narakasura’s oppressive rule. The ever-benevolent Krishna agreed to help the gods.
He reached his beloved wife Satyabhama, who herself is an incarnation of Bhudevi - Narakasura’s own mother, asking for her assistance in his feat. Hearing about the condition of the residents of heaven and earth, Devi Satyabhama prepared herself for the battle, and the divine duo, seated on the mighty bird Garuda, arrived at the gates of Narakasura’s city.
Devi Satyabhama on Garuda Battling Narakasura (Source: Pinterest)
As Krishna and Satyabhama soared into battle atop Garuda, the skies trembled. Narakasura, warned of their arrival, rallied his vast army, still confident in his invincibility. But he had underestimated the power of Dharma and divine unity. In the fierce clash that followed by the presence of Satyabhama, his Shakti (female energy), and a master archer, Krishna attacked the armies of Narakasura, destroying the kingdom of the evil king and with his Sudarshana Chakra, severed the body of the Asura in two halves. At that moment, the Asura’s reign of darkness ended. Thus came the end of the atrocious rule of Narakasura.
With his final breath, Narakasura sought forgiveness, and Krishna granted him one last boon that his death be celebrated with lights and joy, so that his name would not be remembered with hatred, but as a reminder of the triumph of good over evil. From the Antahapura (inner residence) of Narakasura, the 16,000 women were freed by Krishna and Satyabhama, who desired to become a part of Krishna’s household and were given refuge by their savior. The freed women’s acceptance symbolizes restoration, respect, and refuge core tenets of Dharma.
Women Freed from Narakasura by Krishna-Satyabhama (Source: Pinterest)
Naraka Chaturthi, also known as Choti Diwali, is observed on the 14th day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin the day on which Krishna and Satyabhama rid the world of Narakasura by slaying him, is celebrated all over the country as Naraka Chaturthi. Celebrated a day before Diwali, this festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the cleansing of negative forces, both outer and inner. In 2026, Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated on 8th November 2026, Sunday / रविवार.
Early morning oil baths (Abhyanga Snana) with Ubtan (herbal paste) to purify the body and soul
Lighting of lamps and diyas to honor the light of Dharma
Worship of household deities, especially Krishna, Lakshmi, and Bhudevi
Offering of Prasad made with traditional sweets, rice dishes, and flowers
Though the essence remains spiritual and symbolic, the customs vary beautifully across different states, reflecting local traditions and devotional expression.
In the coastal state, local communities craft massive effigies of the demon-king Narakasura, known as Putala and burn him with an atmosphere of laughter, joy, and festivity. Families then return home for early morning oil baths, a cleansing act symbolizing the removal of darkness both physical and spiritual. This kind of celebration on Naraka Chaturthi is nowhere to be seen in India, which makes Naraka Chaudas of Goa a special festival.
In West Bengal, Naraka Chaturthi aligns closely with Kali Puja, a powerful night of devotion to Maa Kali, the fierce yet compassionate mother goddess. Kali Puja and Bhoota Chaudas in Bengal - the occasion of Naraka Chaturthi in Bengal is traditionally celebrated with the worship of Goddess Kali. Families gather for the simple rituals of applying oil and Ubtan (chickpea powder paste) to remove negativity, evil eye, and illness from the body.
This can be understood in the context of seasonal change when the body goes through transformations and becomes prone to sicknesses which is removed by the cleansing rituals. It is interesting to note that according to Kalika Purana, the sacred text dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, Narakasura was quelled by Mahakali.
In South India, Naraka Chaturthi blends seamlessly with the broader Diwali festivities, especially Lakshmi Puja and Krishna worship. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Krishna, honoring his victory over Narakasura. Temples dedicated to Krishna and Vishnu hold special pujas and bhajans, often followed by lighting of lamps, decorating homes with kolams (rangolis), and sharing festive sweets. Goddess Lakshmi is also worshipped in many households for prosperity, peace, and household harmony, linking the festival to the welcoming of wealth and inner abundance.
The story of Naraka Chaturthi is an interesting and powerful tale of how arrogance and evil can not exist, even if they have a divine element (Vishnu) in their core. As the son of Bhudevi and Varaha, Narakasura was limitlessly powerful, but with his misuse of his inherited powers, he made sure that his own mother (Bhudevi who incarnates as Satyabhama), put an end to his misdeeds as they were against Dharma. The dramatic legend is recorded in a few traditional Indian sources such as Narakasura Vijay Vyayogah of Dharmasuri.
The festival urges us to confront the Naraka (inner darkness) within ourselves anger, greed, pride and burn them in the fire of self-awareness and devotion. It invites us to celebrate the light of truth, humility, and spiritual awakening. By remembering Krishna’s compassionate justice, and Satyabhama’s righteous courage, Naraka Chaturthi becomes a festival not of punishment but of redemption, cleansing, and hope.
It marks the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama, symbolizing the triumph of Dharma over evil.
It falls a day before Diwali and involves similar rituals like lighting lamps, hence the name “Little Diwali.”
He was the son of Bhudevi and Varaha, later known for his tyrannical reign and defeat by Krishna.
Locals burn large effigies of Narakasura before sunrise, followed by oil baths and rituals.
In Bengal, the day aligns with Kali Puja, where Mahakali is honored for subduing dark forces like Narakasura.
He gave them dignity and refuge, restoring their social status and symbolizing compassion and justice.
It signifies spiritual and physical cleansing, believed to remove illness, negativity, and ego.
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