Roop Chaudash, popularly known as Roop Chaturdashi, is the second day of 5-day Diwali festival in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Rup Chaudash 2010 date is November 4th. Rup Chaturdashi Puja is also observed as Soundarya Siddhi Divas. This day is celebrated as Kali Choudash and Hanuman Puja in Gujarat, and Naraka Chaturdashi and Choti Diwali throughout India. People believe that Roop Chaturdashi puja brings them handsomeness or beauty or enhances their physique.
Roop Chaudash Snan is an auspicious ritual during Roop Chatudashi day. Special mantras or prayers are chanted during this ritual bath. In Maharashtra also Roop Choudash Snan is considered as an auspicious ritual. Hindus believe this pavitra snan makes them handsome or beautiful.
Bhai Tika, also known as Bhai Tihar, is the last festival during Diwali or Tihar in Nepal and some North Eastern places of India. Bhai Tika 2010 date is November 7. In Nepal, Diwali is also called as Tihar or Panchak Yama. Bhai Tika represents the great bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters. Lord Yama is also worshipped on this day.
Sisters apply Tilak or tika to their brothers for their happy and long lasting life. Sisters worship Yama to give their brothers longer life. People of Nepal believe that Bhai Tika, the tilak drawn by the sister on her brother’s forehead protects his life from the clutches of Yamaraj, God of death. In Indian states, Bhai Tika is observed with many other names.
In Bengal, this day is referred as Bhai Phota. In Gujarat and all other North Indian states, this festival is observed as Bhai Dooj or Bhaubeej. It is also known as Bhatru Dwitiya or Bhayya Dhooj. It is also celebrated as Yama Dwitiya in some South Indian states. In Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Sadar Buffalo festival is celebrated on Bhai Tika day.
Kali Chaudas, also spelt as Kali Choudas Puja, is observed on the fourteenth day in Ashwin month mainly in Gujarat. Kali Chaudas 2010 date is November 4th. This is the second day of Diwali festival. It is observed on the day before Diwali and the day after Dhanteras. Goddess Kali is worshipped on Kali Chaudas day. Diwali is observed as Kali Puja in Bengal.
Kali Chaudas is also known as Kal Chaturdashi. There are many legends or stories are associated with Kali Choudas. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Mahakali or Shakti demolished demon Raktavija. Special recipe called Pova or Poha is made and offered as naivedya to the Goddess and distributed among devoptees. Hanuman Puja and Kul Devi Puja are also performed on this day. Devotees believe that on this festival, Lord Hanuman was granted with some very special boons like Chirayu (everlasting life). Since then Hanuman is called as Chiranjeevi.
Kali Chaudas falls on Narak Chaturdasi or Choti Diwali day. This festival is observed as Roop Chaudas in Rajasthan. Roop Chaudas puja is done mainly by women to gain beauty or to enhance their beauty.
Chitragupta Puja, also known as Dawat Puja, is a ritual observed during Diwali festival. Chitragupta Puja 2010 date is November 7. It is celebrated on Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali, in North India. Chitragupta Pooja marks the birthday or Jayanthi of Chitragupta and it is mainly celebrated by Katyastha caste.
Chitragupta is the son of Lord Brahma. He was emerged from Brahma’s body as his 17th son. The legend or story says that to assist Yamaraj, the Lord of death, Chitragupta was created by Brahma. On Chitragupta Jayanthi or Chitragupta Pooja, Chitragupta is worshipped with shodashopachar puja by Kayastha people. This puja is also known as Dawat Puja which is the biggest festival for Kayastha caste.
Govardhan Puja is observed on the fourth day during 5-day Diwali festival. Govardhan Puja 2010 date is November 6. It is mainly observed in North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. On this day, Lord Sri Krishna along with cows is worshipped. Govardhana Pooja is celebrated as a commemoration of the lifting of Govardhanagiri by Lord Sri Krishna. Thus, Krishna acquired the name of ‘Govardhanagiri Dhari’ or ‘Govardhandhari’.
Legend of Govardhan Puja:
The legend or the story of Govardhan is mentioned in many sacred scriptures. According to the Vishnu Purana, a severe drought affected Gokul when Sri Krishna was young kid. People of Gokul had set up everything to do Indra Puja and sacrifices to please Indra, who is considered as the Lord of rain and nature as per Hinduism. But, little Krishna stopped the people who were worshipping Indra and suggested them to perform Gopooja (Gomata pooja) instead of Indra Puja. This made Indra furious and poured in heavy rain on Gokul. The people of Gokul and cattle were feared and prayed to Krishna to save them from the dangerous flood.
Young Krishna lifted the Mount Govardhan and invited people and cattle of Gokul to reside under it. Indra knew his mistake and appeared before Krishna and asked him to forgive.
On Govardhan Puja day, Vishwakarma Puja and Bali Padyami Pooja are also observed.
