Wed Oct 30 10:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Choti Diwali 2024: Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Rituals and Offerings

**New Delhi, October 30, 2024:** Choti Diwali, also known as Narak Chaturdashi, marks the day before Diwali and is celebrated with various rituals and offerings. This year, Choti Diwali falls on October 30th, 2024.

**Honoring Yama and Seeking Blessings:**

The day is dedicated to the worship of Yama, the God of Death. People perform rituals to seek protection from untimely death and pray for good health. A popular tradition is to light 12 diyas (lamps) inside the home and offer prayers to Yama.

**Remembering Lord Krishna and Hanuman:**

Choti Diwali also commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. This victory symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The day is also celebrated as Hanuman Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.

**Rituals and Offerings:**

* **Abhyang Snan:** A traditional oil bath is taken on this day, believed to cleanse the body and mind.
* **Yamalok Puja:** Offering prayers to Yama with a lighted oil lamp placed outside the main entrance of the house is believed to ward off ill fortune.
* **Diya Lighting:** Lighting diyas at the entrance of the house and workplace is considered auspicious, attracting Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
* **Cleaning and Discarding:** Discarding unwanted items from the house is seen as a way to prepare for Lakshmi’s arrival on Diwali.
* **Animal Welfare:** Offering food to cows and other animals is considered a virtuous act on this day.
* **Worship of Kula Devis and Pitras:** Honoring ancestral deities and offering prayers to them is a significant part of the celebrations.

**Chhoti Diwali Shubh Muhurat:**

The Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 1:15 PM on October 30th and ends at 3:52 PM on October 31st. The auspicious time for Abhyang Snan is from 5:20 AM to 6:32 AM on October 30th.

**Celebrating the Festival of Lights:**

Choti Diwali is a vibrant and meaningful festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, the pursuit of knowledge, and the importance of family and community. As the festival of lights approaches, let us embrace the spirit of joy, hope, and new beginnings.

**Note:** This is a news article summarizing the provided text about Choti Diwali 2024. The article includes the important information regarding the day’s significance, rituals, timings, and the overall celebration.

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