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Coming just a day before the holy festival of Diwali in the series of Indian Sanatan culture, religious festivals and unique folk traditions. Kali Choudas The place is considered very special and important. This holy festival is also known as ‘Narak Chaturdashi’ and ‘Roop Chaudas’ in many parts of the country, which is also called ‘Chhoti Diwali’ in common parlance. On this festival celebrated on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, the fierce and protective powers of Mother Kali are especially worshipped. According to religious beliefs, by worshiping Goddess Mahakali on this holy night, worshiping her as per rituals and donating a lamp, all the negative energy, suffering and evil eye in life gets destroyed forever. Although this festival is celebrated all over the country according to their respective regional customs, but Gujarat The style of celebrating Kali Chaudas in the state is very unique, traditional and spiritually rich. Let us know in detail which four major traditions are performed on the occasion of Kali Chaudas in Gujarat and what is their religious significance.
Auspicious time of Kali Chaudas in Gujarat and cultural background of this festival
According to the Vedic calendar and the position of the planets and stars, Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month is starting on 7th November at 10.47 am, while it will end on 8th November at 11.27 am. Based on Udaya Tithi and religious beliefs, the festival of Kali Chaudas will be celebrated mainly on 7th November. Along with this, the auspicious time for special puja and tantric rituals on the night of Kali Chaudas will be from 11:49 pm to 12:41 pm on 8th November.
In the culture of Gujarat, this festival is seen as a big occasion of victory of good over evil and protecting oneself from negative forces. On this day, there is a festive atmosphere in Gujarati families since morning and the traditional rituals begin. Let us know those four major traditions which are especially performed on this day in Gujarat.
1. Abhyang Snan: The ancient tradition of purifying the body before sunrise
In Gujarati tradition and culture, bathing in the morning on the day of Kali Chaudas is considered to have great and sacred importance. this special bath ‘Abhyanga Snan’ It is said. Under this tradition, people wake up just before sunrise and apply scented oils and special rubs all over their bodies, and then take a bath.
According to religious and Ayurvedic beliefs, taking Abhyanga bath on the morning of Kali Chaudas not only purifies the physical body of a person but also removes all the laziness and negative energy hidden within him. It is believed that taking bath with oil and boiling water on this day brings positive energy in the body and keeps the health good for the whole coming year. This tradition is followed with great devotion in every house of Gujarat.
2. Special worship and night meditation of Maa Kali and Lord Kaal Bhairav.
The day of Kali Chaudas is completely dedicated to Mother Mahakali, the mother of the world. On this auspicious night, practitioners of Tantra-Mantra, Aghorai and general devotees do special worship of the fierce and benevolent form of Mother Kali. Along with Maa Kali, special worship of Lord Kaal Bhairav is also done on this day in many ancient temples and houses of Gujarat.
It is believed that the meditation done on this special night never fails. People who want to get rid of the fears, enemies and hidden obstacles in their life, light a lamp at the feet of Maa Kali and worship her on this night. It is believed that by worshiping on the night of Kali Chaudas, a person gets spiritual attainments as well as special blessings of Mother Kali, due to which all the troubles of his life automatically end.
3. Worship of Sankat Mochan Hanuman ji: Pray to Bajrangbali for freedom from fear.
Another biggest and unique feature of Kali Chaudas of Gujarat is that on this day in the evening Lord Hanuman ji There is a special ritual for worshiping. While in North India Hanuman Jayanti or Tuesday is dedicated to Bajrangbali, in Gujarat the evening of Kali Chaudas is considered the best time to worship Lord Hanuman.
According to religious belief, since negative powers and subtle obstacles are considered to be more active on the night of Kali Chaudas, worshiping Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ji protects the devotees from all the evil forces. On this day, special lamp garlands are lit in Hanuman temples and by offering vermilion, chola and sweet paan, Bajrangbali is prayed to remove all the fears and troubles of life.
4. Unique tradition of applying Kajal: Protection from negative powers and evil eye
On the night of Kali Chaudas, a very special and ancient tradition is followed in Gujarat, which is called ‘the tradition of making and applying Kajal’. On this day, during the worship of Hanuman ji, a big lamp is specially lit on the altar of the temple or home.
The pure kajal which is prepared from the flame of this lit lamp is applied in the eyes of all the family members while sleeping at night. According to popular belief, this kajal is not like an ordinary cosmetic, rather it is considered a protective shield that protects the person from the evil eye, the effects of tantra-mantra and all kinds of negative powers. Even today, this tradition is followed with equal enthusiasm and faith in both rural and urban areas of Gujarat. Thus, these four traditions, from Abhyanga bath to applying kajal, present a unique example of the depth and spiritual richness of Gujarati culture.