chaturdashi

Chaturdashi is a term used in the Hindu lunisolar calendar to denote the fourteenth day of a lunar fortnight (paksha). The word derives from Sanskrit and is used for both the bright half (shukla paksha) and the dark half (krishna paksha) of each lunar month, so chaturdashi occurs twice monthly.

The most widely known observance associated with the term is Naraka Chaturdashi, commonly called Choti Diwali. This occurs on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of the Hindu month Kartik (Ashwin in some regional calendars) and is observed as a prelude to the main Diwali night. Legend links it to Krishna slaying the demon Narakasura. Practices typically include waking before dawn, ritual bathing with oil, lighting lamps, and Lakshmi-Ganesha prayers.

Other regional observances on Chaturdashi days exist, and customs vary considerably. Some communities observe fasting, temple visits, or special prayers, while others focus on household preparations for upcoming festivals or seasonal rites. The term simply marks the day in the lunar cycle and does not by itself designate a single uniform festival.

Chaturdashi thus denotes a recurring date in the Hindu calendar and has cultural significance through its association with light, purification, and the approach of major autumn festivals. Its specific rituals and the month in which it occurs differ across regions and traditions.