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.
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.
Bali Padyami Puja is celebrated on the fourth day during Diwali festival. Bali Padyami 2010 date is November 6th. It is observed on the day after Deepavali Amavasya. Maha Bali, the King of Pathala loka (netherworld), is worshipped on this day. He was given a boon by Lord Vishnu to visit the earth once a year. Kannada and Marathi people celebrate Balindra Puja to mark his arrival to the earth whereas Kerala people celebrate Bali Puja during Onam festival observed in Shravan month.
In some places, it is also celebrated as Vamana Jayanthi. Bali Chakravarthi had observed 99 sacrifices and about to perform his 100th Yagna. If he does that, he becomes Indra. As per several sacred texts of Hinduism, Indra, Yama, Brahma and some other devas have posts. Indra is a post and the God who takes up the post is called Devendra. Thus, to avoid Bali to sit in the position of Devendra, Lord Vishnu was incarnated as Lord Vamana and banished Maha Bali into the netherworld.
Bhai Phota, also spelt as Bhai Fota, is celebrated on Dvitiya day or the second day after Kali Puja or Diwali festival in Bengal. During Bhai Phota, some mantras or prayers are chanted by sisters.
Bhai Phota Mantra – Bengali Version:
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Bhaier kapale dilam phonta,
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Jamer Duare porlo kanta,
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Jamuna Dae Jomke phonta,
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Ami di amar bhaike phonta,
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Bhai jeno hoy lohar vata.
Bhai Phota Mantra – Sanskrit Version:
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.
