Roop Chaturdashi and Dhanteras both the festival are being observed today. As per the astrologers, Sunday’s sunrise fell on Trayodashi Tithi, which makes the celebration of Dhanteras even today.
Chaturdashi date will start after 6 pm today and will remain till around 5 pm on Monday. After this, the new moon will begin and Diwali will be celebrated.
It is also called Choti Diwali, according to the Puranas, on this day Shri Krishna killed Narakasura. Based on the context mentioned in several religious scriptures, Hanuman Ji was born at midnight of this Chaturdashi. After Navratri, Kali Puja is performed in Bengal on this Chaturdashi.
This evening of Roop Chaturdashi will be celebrated with a lamp for Yama and tomorrow morning with ubtan’s massage, and bath. According to Skanda Purana, donating a lamp to Yamraj in the evening during Chaturdashi Tithi saves one from premature death.
General Secretary of Kashi Vidya Parishad Prof. Ramnarayan Dwivedi says that after sunset on Roop Chaudas, by donating a lamp in the south direction outside the house, the sins committed knowingly or unknowingly are forgiven, which happens after one pleases Yama.
Health and long life will shower upon alongside the eradication of family problems of all forms.
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Bhavishya and Padma Purana says that on Chaturdashi Tithi if one wakes up before sunrise, apply sesame oil on their body, and later takes bath from the water mixed with medicines.
Their health remains good along with the enhancement of their beauty. Hence it is called Roop Chaturdashi. Dr. Ganesh Mishra of Puri says that on this day Lakshmi resides in sesame oil and Vishnu resides in sesame water.
Therefore, after applying sesame oil in the morning, it is a tradition to take a bath with water mixed with sesame seeds. Based on the sayings of Puranas, by doing this Goddess Lakshmi becomes happy, and prosperity increases.
In the evening, lamps are lit for Yama and in temples with sesame oil. It is believed that its removes diseases, defects, and diseases.