| DEEPAVALI
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The Legend :
There once lived a demon king called Narakasura,
the king of Pradyoshapuram, who was troubling the world with his cruel deeds. It was after
he conquered the heaven and captured the fabulous earrings of Aditi and abducted 16000
damsels, that all the Gods have approached Sri Krishna for safeguarding them.
Sri Krishna having assured the Gods of
safety has left for the battle and his consort Satyabhama accompanied him, being zealous
of the battlefield. But, Narakasura being blessed with a boon that he could be killed only
by his mother Bhudevi, had to be killed by Satyabhama an incarnation of Bhudevi. For this,
Lord Krishna is said to have pretended unconsciousness for a while, enraged by which,
Satyabhama is said to have killed Narakasura in the battle.
The day being the 14th day in
the latter part of the Aswiyuja month, is called "Naraka Chaturdasi".
On the following day, it being Amavasya, Mathura was illuminated with plenty of
adorning diyas welcoming the victorious Satyabhama and Lord Krishna and fireworks were lit
up to mark the spirit of joy. It is this occasion that we commemorate on the eve of
Deepavali.
Legend also has it that this is the day
when Lord Rama had returned to Ayodhya from the fourteen-year exile. |
