Narak Chaturdashi Yama Deepdaan

The Light Practice of Chhoti Diwali

Narak Chaturdashi is also called Chhoti Diwali, Roop Chaudas and in several regions Kali Chaudas. It is observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi of the Kartik Krishna Paksha. Coming just before Deepavali this festival is connected with health, beauty, long life and the prayer for protection from untimely death.

In 2026 the Chaturdashi Tithi will begin at about 10:47 in the morning on 7 November and end at about 11:27 in the morning on 8 November. According to several Panchanga calculations in India the evening Yama Deepdaan and main Chhoti Diwali observance will be kept on Saturday, 7 November. Abhyanga Snan will be performed in many places during the Brahma Muhurta of 8 November because the Chaturdashi remains available at sunrise that morning.

Local sunrise, sunset and Panchanga methods may change the tithi and Muhurat. The final decision should therefore be taken from the local calendar.

Detail	Narak Chaturdashi 2026 information
Festival	Narak Chaturdashi, Chhoti Diwali, Roop Chaudas
Evening observance	Saturday, 7 November 2026
Abhyanga Snan	Morning of 8 November in many regions
Paksha	Kartik Krishna Paksha
Tithi	Chaturdashi
Tithi begins	About 10:47 in the morning on 7 November
Tithi ends	About 11:27 in the morning on 8 November
Abhyanga Snan Muhurat	Before sunrise, in Delhi about 5:41 to 6:38
Yama Deep	Evening or Pradosh Kaal, outside main door facing south
Main worship	Yama, Dhanvantari feeling, remembrance of Krishna victory
Special bath	Sesame oil Abhyanga and Ubtan
Core feeling	Health, beauty, long life and light

Basic Rules of the Day

• Perform Abhyanga Snan before sunrise if health permits

• Apply sesame oil or a mild Ubtan on the body

• Light the Yama Deep in the evening

• Place the lamp outside the main door facing south

• Perform Yama Tarpan according to family tradition and eligibility

• Complete cleaning and lighting arrangements of the home

• Care for fire safety of children and elders

• Avoid excessive crackers and pollution

Puranic Basis of Narak Chaturdashi

The most famous story of Narak Chaturdashi is connected with the destruction of Narakasura. According to Puranic tradition Narakasura imprisoned many women and troubled the gods and the worlds. Lord Krishna together with Satyabhama destroyed Narakasura and freed the imprisoned women.

After this victory the tradition of morning bathing and purification is believed to have become associated with the day. The spiritual meaning of the story is not only the end of a demon. The word Naraka also indicates inner darkness, anger, greed, violence and ignorance. When a person controls these tendencies the light of Chhoti Diwali becomes meaningful.

In some regions Goddess Kali is also worshipped on this day. Kali is regarded as the power that destroys darkness and demonic tendencies. The name Roop Chaudas is popular because Abhyanga Snan and Ubtan are performed with the wish for bodily purity and radiance.

Importance of Yama and Yama Deepdaan

Yama is also called Dharmaraja. He is not only the deity of death. He is regarded as the presiding power of the fruit of karma and justice. Lighting the Yama Deep on Narak Chaturdashi is connected with protection from the fear of untimely death, remembrance of the limits of life and gratitude toward the ancestors.

The Yama Deep is generally lit outside the main door of the home facing south because the south direction is associated with Yama. Some families light the Yama Deep on Dhanteras and some on Narak Chaturdashi. Both traditions are found according to region.

Lamp offering	Place	Feeling
Yama Deep	Outside main door facing south	Protection from untimely death
Home lamps	Worship area and courtyard	Light of Chhoti Diwali
Tulsi lamp	Near Tulsi	Auspiciousness and devotion
Four faced lamp	According to family tradition	Feeling of protection in four directions

The tradition of a four faced lamp is seen in some homes. A lamp with four wicks is regarded as a symbol of spreading light in the four directions. If a four faced lamp is not available one steady lamp is enough. Faith, safety and cleanliness are more important than number.

Method of Lighting the Yama Deep

Yama Deepdaan is performed in the evening or during Pradosh Kaal. Check the local time after sunset.

Simple Method

1. Take an earthen lamp

2. Add mustard oil or oil according to tradition

3. Place a cotton wick

4. Keep the lamp on a stable place outside the main door

5. Let the lamp face or shine toward the south

6. Fold the hands and remember Yama

7. Pray for long life and health of the family

8. Keep flammable objects away from the lamp

9. Maintain safe distance from children and pets

10. Dispose of ash and wick respectfully after the lamp goes out

Yama Remembrance Mantras

Om Yamaya Namah

This means salutations to Yama Dev.

Om Dharmarajaya Namah

This means salutations to the lord of dharma and justice.

These mantras are simple and may be chanted by a householder.

What Is Abhyanga Snan?

Abhyanga Snan means a bath taken after applying oil to the body. On Narak Chaturdashi bathing before sunrise after a sesame oil massage is considered auspicious. Many families also apply Ubtan.

Ubtan may generally include gram flour, turmeric, milk or yogurt, sandal and mild fragrance. Choose ingredients according to skin sensitivity. Do not use any new ingredient if it causes allergy.

Simple Method of Abhyanga Snan

1. Wake during Brahma Muhurta

2. Massage lightly with sesame oil from head to feet

3. Allow the oil to remain for a few minutes

4. Apply Ubtan if tradition allows

5. Bathe with warm water

6. Wear clean clothes

7. Apply Tilak on the forehead

8. Perform Yama Tarpan if tradition allows

9. Check the lighting arrangement of the home

10. Take sattvic food

Forced bathing in extremely cold water is not necessary. Children, elders, pregnant women and people with illness should use warm water. Seek medical advice in heart disease, blood pressure concerns or skin disease.

Vidhi of Yama Tarpan

In Yama Tarpan water is offered while facing south. In many traditions Tarpan is performed with sesame mixed water while reciting fourteen names of Yama.

Fourteen Names of Yama

1. Yama

2. Dharmaraja

3. Mrityu

4. Antaka

5. Vaivasvata

6. Kala

7. Sarvabhutakshaya

8. Audumbara

9. Dadhna

10. Nila

11. Parameshthi

12. Vrikodara

13. Chitra

14. Chitragupta

Tarpan Mantra Sequence

Om Yamaya Namah
Om Dharmarajaya Namah
Om Mrityave Namah
Om Antakaya Namah
Om Vaivasvataya Namah
Om Kalaya Namah
Om Sarvabhutakshayaya Namah
Om Audumbaraya Namah
Om Dadhnaya Namah
Om Nilaya Namah
Om Parameshthine Namah
Om Vrikodaraya Namah
Om Chitraya Namah
Om Chitraguptaya Namah

The tradition is to offer water with each name. Some teachers advise repeating each name three times. A simpler form may be adopted according to family tradition and bodily capacity.

The feeling of Yama Tarpan is not ritual performed out of panic about death. Its feeling is to understand the limit of life, respect time and resolve to live a dharmic life.

Roop Chaudas and the Feeling of Beauty

The name Roop Chaudas is connected with purification and radiance of the body. Oil massage may keep moisture in the skin. Ubtan may clean dead skin particles. Bathing gives freshness. Yet this should not be treated as a miraculous beauty treatment.

The deeper meaning of beauty is not only glow of the skin. Clean clothes, sattvic food, adequate sleep, control of anger and a cheerful mind also enhance Roop. Narak Chaturdashi reminds a person of purification both outside and inside.

Practice	Outer benefit	Inner feeling
Oil massage	Skin moisture	Self care
Ubtan	Cleanliness	Removal of old impurity
Bath	Freshness	Resolve for freedom from sinful tendencies
Clean clothes	Beauty	Maryada
Lamp offering	Light	End of ignorance
Tarpan	Tradition	Gratitude and dharma

Does the Yama Deep End the Fear of Untimely Death?

Religious language says that Yama Deepdaan removes the fear of untimely death. This is a form of spiritual assurance and prayer. A lamp does not prove definite prevention of accident, disease or untimely death.

Yet the tradition has practical value. Lighting the lamp makes a person careful about life. The family turns attention toward health, safety, road caution, proper treatment and discipline. Prayer steadies the mind.

Balance the fear of untimely death not only through ritual but also through these measures.

• Regular health checkups

• Distance from addiction and carelessness

• Road safety

• Fire and electrical caution at home

• Support during mental stress

• Care of elders and children

• Truthful and non violent living

Home Preparation on Chhoti Diwali

Narak Chaturdashi is also regarded as a day of preparation for Deepavali. Cleaning of the home, arrangement of lamps, Rangoli and family gathering are especially visible on this day.

Useful Order of the Day

• Abhyanga Snan in the morning

• Final cleaning of home and courtyard

• Removal of broken lamps and dirty places

• Arrangement of worship materials

• Yama Deepdaan in the evening

• Sattvic food with the family

• Preparation for Lakshmi Puja the next day

• Explaining safety rules to children

Excessive use of crackers increases air pollution, noise and accidents. If the family uses crackers keep a safe place, adult supervision and limited use.

Astrological View of Narak Chaturdashi

In astrology the Chaturdashi Tithi is often linked with intensity, sharpness and purification. During the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi the mind may turn toward leaving old burdens, fears and negative habits. Yama is also symbolically connected with Shani, dharma, fruit of karma and time.

Principle	Indication
Chaturdashi	Intensity and purification
Krishna Paksha	Inner cleaning
Yama	Karma, justice and time
South direction	Yama principle
Sesame and oil	Peace of Shani and unctuousness
Lamp	Solar fire and consciousness
Bath	Resolve for freedom from impure tendencies

Personal longevity or indications of untimely death cannot be decided only from this tithi. The birth chart, planetary periods, transits and actual health condition require integrated study.

Psychological Meaning of the Narakasura Story

The story of Narakasura contains the feelings of oppression, bondage and liberation. In modern life Naraka may be an inner state more than an outer place. When anger goes out of control, greed breaks relationships, jealousy burns the mind and laziness ruins health a person lives in a Naraka created by the self.

Abhyanga Snan cleans the body. The Yama Deep reminds a person of the limit of life. Tarpan awakens gratitude and replaces a false desire for endless life with remembrance of dharma. Chhoti Diwali teaches that before the greater light a smaller purification is necessary.

Health Precautions

Sesame oil and Ubtan are not equally suitable for every skin.

• Test a new Ubtan on a small area first if the skin is sensitive

• Do not apply oil or Ubtan on eyes and wounds

• Do not bathe with very hot water

• Be careful on slippery surfaces

• Help elders during bathing

• Avoid incense and strong fragrance in asthma or allergy

• Keep lamps away from curtains and paper

• Seek medical care immediately if crackers cause burn or injury

Dharma is not against protection of the body. Any observance that neglects health should be considered incomplete.

Yama Deep and Ancestral Remembrance

Some families also connect Narak Chaturdashi with ancestral remembrance. Through Yama the remembrance of death and the world beyond arises. This is not a subject of fear. It is a subject of responsibility. A person thinks about what values, arrangements and love will remain for the family afterwards.

Donation on this day is considered auspicious.

• Sesame

• Oil

• Blanket

• Grains

• Clothes

• Lamps

• Food for the needy

Preserve the dignity of the receiver while donating.

What to Do and What Not to Do on Roop Chaudas

Do

• Abhyanga Snan

• Cleaning of the home

• Yama Deepdaan

• Sattvic food

• Gentle conversation with family

• Calm preparation for Deepavali

• Care for health

Do not

• Unnecessary conflict

• Excessive crackers

• Intoxicants

• Unsafe lamp arrangements

• Spreading dirt

• Forcing the body into harsh cold

• Spreading fear in the name of untimely death

Purification Before Light

Narak Chaturdashi teaches that the greater light of Diwali remains only when inner darkness is cleaned first. The Yama Deep burns toward the south and reminds a person of time. Abhyanga Snan touches the body and teaches self care. Tarpan awakens gratitude through water.

The fear of untimely death is calmed less by mantra alone and more by caution and dharmic living. When the home is clean, the body is healthy, the mind is peaceful and the family has compassion the lamp of Chhoti Diwali illuminates not only the courtyard but life itself.

FAQ

When is Narak Chaturdashi in 2026?

In 2026 the evening observance of Narak Chaturdashi is generally considered on Saturday, 7 November. Abhyanga Snan will be on the morning of 8 November in many places. Confirm with the local Panchanga.

In which direction should the Yama Deep be lit?

Lighting the Yama Deep outside the main door facing south is considered auspicious.

How should Abhyanga Snan be performed?

Before sunrise massage with sesame oil, apply Ubtan if desired and bathe with warm water. Keep water temperature according to health.

What is Yama Tarpan?

In Yama Tarpan sesame mixed water is offered while facing south and reciting the names of Yama. It is a practice of remembering life, karma and dharma.

Does the Yama Deep completely end the fear of untimely death?

In religious belief the Yama Deep is a symbol of protection. In practical life health caution, safe living and timely treatment are also necessary.