The festival of Naraka Chaturdashi also know as Choti Diwali is an annual Hindu festival celebrated the day before Diwali as thousands of devotees in Fiji will worship Lord Krishna who had killed the demon Narakasura.
The National Secretary of Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Krishneel Tiwari says today is the day to reflect on ourselves and mark the beginning of the festive season.
Tiwari says it is a day of spiritual significance, family togetherness and spreading the message of love and light as it commemorates Krishna’s destruction of Narakasur and prayers are also offered to the souls of our ancestors.
He says the devastation of the evil and the arrival of the new day is marked by the beginning of this day where diyas are lit by devotees to gain blessings from Lord Yama.
He further says that by doing these prayers, Lord Yama will protect everyone from suffering.
He adds that Hanuman Utsav is also celebrated today to acknowledge Lord Hanuman who played a vital role in killing the demon Ravan and rescued the Goddess Sita from Lanka.
Meanwhile, today is the second day of the five-day festival of Diwali.
Tomorrow on Diwali and Lakshmi Puja, families will seek blessings from the Goddess Lakshmi to ensure their prosperity and light diyas, candles, and fireworks and visit temples.
The fourth day is known as Annakut Govardhan Puja which commemorates Krishna’s defeat of Indra, the king of the Gods.
Merchants perform religious ceremonies and open new account books.
The fifth day called Bhai Duj celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
On that day sisters pray for the success and well-being of their brothers.
