Chaudas

Chaudas is one of the well known festivals in India. Also known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti, this festival is celebrated by the people of the Hindu community. It is prevalent in almost all parts of India. Wide spread celebrations take place during Chaudas.

Chaudas is mainly celebrated on the second day of the festival of Diwali. It is a type of festival which is done to pay homage to Goddess Kali or Shakti. Kali signifies dark and Chaudas signifies the fourteenth day. Accordingly, the festival is celebrated on the 14th day of Ashwin, as per the Indian calendar. The main motive of the festival is to glorify the victory of good over the evil forces. It is done to eliminate laziness and evil which fill darkness in our lives. It celebrates the victory of God Krishna over Narakasur, the demon of filth.

On the day of Chaudas, people visit the temples and worship Goddess Kali. The worship is performed with oil, flowers, Chanda and Hindu slokas. Coconuts are also offered. The prashad is made with sesame seed, Brigadoon and rice with ghee and sugar. After the worship is over, the Prasad is distributed among the people.

The festival of Chaudas also has a social significance as it marks the time of the harvest. As such the festival is prevalent both in the urban as well as the rural parts of the country. People prepare delicacies made from pounded semi-cooked rice which is taken from the fresh harvest available during the season.

Chaudas is celebrated with great vitality and enthusiasm. People rub their bodies with perfumed oil and bath. After bathing, new clothes are worn. Women decorate themselves with colored clothes and traditional jewelry. All the family members and friends have breakfast together and enjoy themselves by performing traditional music and dances. In the evening, fireworks are lit up in the sky and houses are decorated by lighting lamps and diyas.