Calendar
Kali Chaudas, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, is a significant Hindu festival. It typically falls the day before Diwali and is also referred to as Roop Chaudas, Choti Diwali, or Narak Nivaran Chaturdashi.
š Meaning and Mythology
- “Kali” means dark or eternal, and “Chaudas” means fourteenthāreferring to the lunar date.
- The day commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
- In some traditions, Goddess Kali is worshipped for her fierce power to destroy negativity and evil forces.
š±Ā šŖ Rituals and Celebrations
- Early morning rituals include bathing, lighting lamps (diyas), and offering prayers.
- Oil, flowers, and sandalwood are used in puja ceremonies.
- Homes are decorated with rangoli, candles, and lights to ward off evil.
- Traditional foods like Khoya sweets, puffed rice, and festive dishes are shared with loved ones.
š§āāļø Deities Worshipped
- Goddess Kali, Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Lakshmi are commonly worshipped.
- Lighting a lamp for Yama, the god of death, is believed to protect from suffering in the afterlife.
Nepali Community Program
The third day of Diwali: Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and they worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
HAPPY DIWALI š„āØ
Every Sunday, we haveĀ SATSANG (Bhajans, kirtans, Kathas etc.)
From 11:30 AM ā 01:00 PM followed by Aarti and Prasadam (Lunch)
The fourth day of Diwali: Padwa & Govardhan Puja
On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhan Pooja. From then on, every year Hindus worship Govardhan to honour that first Pooja done by the people of Vraja.
Gowardhan Puja is also known asĀ Annakut Puja. On this day food made of cereals like wheat, rice, curry made of gram flour and leafy vegetables is cooked and offered to Lord Krishna.
In Maharashtra the same day is celebrated asĀ Bali PratipadaĀ orĀ Bali Padva. The day commemorates victory ofĀ Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, overĀ King BaliĀ and subsequent pushing of Bali toĀ Patal LokĀ (the underworld). It is believed that due to boon given by Lord Vamana, Asura King Bali visits theĀ Prithvi LokĀ from the Patala Lok on this day.
Most of the time Govardhan Puja day coincides withĀ Gujarati New YearĀ day, which is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Kartik month. Depending on starting time of Pratipada Tithi, Govardhan Puja celebrations could be done one day before Gujarati New Year day.
The fifth day of Diwali: Bhai Duj
The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhai teeka. This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day dedicated to sisters. Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (a boon) that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve Moksha or final emancipation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare.
This day marks the end of the five days of Deepavali celebrations. This is also known as Bhai fota among Bengalis. Bhai fota is an event especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother’s safety, success and wellbeing.
Tulasi Vivah
Tulsi Puja plays a very significant role for Hindus. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu married Goddess Tulsi in the form of Shaligram or his Shri Krishna avatar on Prabodhini Ekadashi. As per the Hindu scriptures, Tulsi Mata is said to be the avatar of Goddess Lakshmi who is the wife of Lord Vishnu. She took birth as Vrinda, as the legends say. Hence, this day is considered to be the most auspicious day for conducting rituals and ceremonies related to marriage along with Kanyadaan.
Married women across India perform the Tulsi Vivah puja for the well-being of their husbands and family members. The Hindus worship the tulsi plant, and Tulsi herself is thought to be an incarnation of Goddess Mahalakshmi, who was previously known as āVrinda.ā To obtain marital bliss, young women pray to Goddess Lakshmi with full dedication. Young, unmarried women also follow Tulsi Vivah rituals in order to find good husbands. Also, many schedule their marriage on Tulsi Vivah day as it blesses the couple with blissful married life.
If you would like to host the Mata Ki Chowki at Shree Radhey Shyam Temple, Contact : RajaĀ Sharma 708-822-6656
Maa Durga is revered as the Mother Goddess among the Hindu Goddesses.Ā Mata Ki Chowki is a short-duration Kirtan that can be done at any time of day, at any time of year. The essence behind performing the Mata Ki Chowki is to fulfil oneās wishes.Ā This Puja ceremony involves the gathering of many worshipers who spend three hours singing hymns in her praise in order to please the Goddess so that she can grant them their wishes. Mata ki chowki includes kirtans and bhajans which are performed in the respect to Mata Durga, Mata Laxmi, Mata Kaali, Saraswati, and Annapurna.
