Ashokastami or Ashok Ashtami festival is observed on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami day on which Durgashtami is also observed during Basant Navratri. This festival is mainly celebrated in Orissa, Bengal, Tripura and some other parts of Eastern India. In 2010, Ashokashtami date is March 23. As the festival falls during Basant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri, it is also celebrated as Chaitra Durgashtami.

Ashokastami festival is celebrated with utmost gaiety and much pomp in Tripura and Orissa. In Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple and Puri Loknath Temple, the festival marks the grand celebrations. On this day, Lingaraj Rathyatra is held in Bhubaneswar. Lord Bhandar Loknath is taken in a procession to Isaneswar Mahadev to perform ritual ceremonies. In Tripura, at Unakoti Theertha near Kailashahar Ashokastami Jatra or a fair is organized.

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.

Narak Chaturdashi is the second day of 5-day Diwali festival. It is also called as Choti Diwali. Kali Chaudas Puja is observed on Naraka Chaturdashi. Narak Chaturdashi Snan is considered as the most auspicious ritual to perform on this day. It is believed that this festival marks the ending of darkness or the period of demons and beginning of brightness or happiness in the world. Here are some stotras or slokas or mantras (prayers) to chant during Narak Chaturdashi:

The prayer to chant just before Naraka Chaturdashi Snan:

The above mantra is chanted by mothers before giving bath to their children. Chanting this sloka mothers shower Akshata (consecrated rice) on childrens’ heads.

After Narak Chaturdashi snan, this given mantra is chanted:

Bhramyamaanah punah punah

While lighting deepa or diya and remembering dead ancestors, the below given mantra is chanted in the evening: