Roop Chaudas, also known as Narak Chaturdashi, is celebrated on the day before Diwali as a time dedicated to enhancing beauty and preparing for the main Diwali festival. This unique day, sometimes referred to as Soundarya Siddhi Diwas, emphasizes beauty and self-care, offering women and girls an opportunity to perform Sadhana (spiritual practice) to gain charm, magnetism, and grace. This festival adds a personal and reflective touch to the larger Diwali festivities, celebrating beauty both inward and outward.
Importance of Roop Chaudas and the Festival of Beauty
Rooted in the word "Roop," meaning beauty, and "Chaturdashi," denoting the 14th day of the Kartik month in the Hindu Lunar Calendar, Roop Chaudas focuses on self-preparation for Diwali. As one of the five significant days of Diwali, it is especially celebrated in western India and Rajasthan with great enthusiasm. It is a time to pause amid the bustling Diwali schedule and devote time to self-beautification and spiritual cleansing.
Roop Chaudas is sometimes called Kali Chaturdashi, as devotees in some regions worship Goddess Kali on this day. Many legends accompany the observance, including the story of Goddess Kali’s victory over the powerful demon Raktabija. In some traditions, Lord Krishna’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura is also commemorated, symbolizing the removal of evil forces and the welcoming of goodness.
Why is Roop Chaudas Celebrated?
Roop Chaudas is celebrated to prepare oneself for the auspicious Diwali festivities that follow. It is believed that by performing specific rituals on this day, devotees receive blessings from Lord Yama, the god of death, for protection from suffering and a peaceful afterlife. By following the age-old customs associated with Roop Chaudas, devotees hope to eliminate negativity and invite beauty and positivity into their lives.
Devotees rise early on Roop Chaudas, beginning the day with a traditional cleansing bath. Women, in particular, apply a special Ubtan made of gram flour, herbs, and oils as a natural way to purify and beautify the skin. This ritual represents the purification of both the body and mind, symbolizing a fresh start. Following the bath, they wear new clothes and perform pujas, often lighting diyas (earthen lamps) at the main entrance of their homes to ward off evil and darkness. These diyas honor Lord Yama, with prayers for protection from hardships and a smooth journey in the afterlife.
The Cultural Importance of Roop Chaudas in the Diwali Festival
In the larger context of the Diwali festival of lights, Roop Chaudas adds a meaningful pause for reflection and self-care. In Rajasthan, this day is marked by vibrant celebrations, allowing devotees to channel inner beauty and spiritual radiance. Through rituals and traditions, Roop Chaudas enhances the spirit of Diwali, emphasizing the importance of inner transformation and preparation for a bright new beginning.
Roop Chaudas holds a treasured place in the rich tapestry of different festivals celebrated in India, especially as a precursor to Diwali. This festival of beauty reminds people of the deeper themes of Diwali — the destruction of evil and the triumph of goodness, celebrated through rituals that cleanse, purify, and renew the spirit.
[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Aavyaa, they are just for entertainment purposes]
| GODDESS KALI | LORD KRISHNA | DIWALI | LORD YAMA |
~Mimansa Sharma
