Narak Chaturdashi worship joins the pre-sunrise abhyanga bath with Krishna, Yama and Hanuman remembrance, evening lamps, prasad and charity.

Narak Chaturdashi Puja Samagri

Source-specific materials

  • Sesame, sesame oil and neem leaves
  • Gangajal, roli, kumkum, akshat and flowers
  • Diya, camphor and thirteen clay lamps
  • Jaggery, moong and sweets
  • Sindoor, kajal, puja plate and optional Gauri-Ganesha image

Before You Begin

  • Set aside sesame oil for the pre-sunrise bath.
  • Prepare the evening lamp locations safely.
  • Keep offerings for Krishna, Yama and Hanuman separate.

Complete Step-by-Step Narak Chaturdashi Puja Vidhi

Follow the reviewed source sequence from preparation through the final prayer and prasad. Use only the offerings listed for this puja.

  1. Take the abhyanga bath

    Before sunrise massage with sesame oil and bathe with water containing Gangajal, then wear clean clothes.

  2. Make sankalp

    Purify the place, face east or north and state the source resolve.

    Make sankalp mantra
    Om yamaaya dharmaraajaaya namah samkalpamaham karishye|
    Original Sanskrit
    ॐ यमाय धर्मराजाय नमः संकल्पमहं करिष्ये।

  3. Worship Ganesha

    Begin the formal worship with Ganesha.

    Worship Ganesha mantra
    Om gam ganapataye namah|
    Original Sanskrit
    ॐ गं गणपतये नमः।

  4. Worship Krishna

    Offer tulsi and the supported butter-mishri or sweet naivedya with the stored formula.

    Worship Krishna mantra
    Om krishnaaya namah [upachaara] samarpayaami|
    Original Sanskrit
    ॐ कृष्णाय नमः [उपचार] समर्पयामि।

  5. Offer evening worship to Yama

    Offer sesame, jaggery, moong, flowers and water with the three stored names.

    Offer evening worship to Yama mantra
    Om yamaaya namah| Om sooryaputraaya namah| Om dharmaraajaaya namah|
    Original Sanskrit
    ॐ यमाय नमः। ॐ सूर्यपुत्राय नमः। ॐ धर्मराजाय नमः।

  6. Worship Hanuman

    Offer sindoor, chola and prasad as stated.

    Worship Hanuman mantra
    Om hanumate namah|
    Original Sanskrit
    ॐ हनुमते नमः।

  7. Light the festival lamps

    After evening, place the source-counted lamps safely and conclude the lighting with aarti.

  8. Distribute prasad and give charity

    Share sweets and roasted gram; donate supported food, clothing, sesame or jaggery according to capacity.

Simple Narak Chaturdashi Puja Method at Home

This shorter practice retains the essential devotional actions supported by the source; it is not presented as a substitute for a formal priest-led rite where one is specified.

  1. Take the supported sesame-oil bath before sunrise.
  2. Remember Ganesha and Krishna.
  3. At evening offer water and sesame in Yama remembrance and worship Hanuman.
  4. Light the source-supported lamps safely, perform aarti and share prasad.

When to Perform Narak Chaturdashi Puja

The bath is before sunrise; Yama worship and deepdan are in the evening of Narak Chaturdashi.

Traditional Purpose and Benefits of Narak Chaturdashi Puja

Traditional observance connects this day with purification, remembrance of dharma and prayer for protection from untimely death; it is not a guarantee.

Festival purification

The abhyanga bath marks a disciplined beginning.

Dharma remembrance

Yama worship recalls accountability and mortality.

Charity and sharing

Prasad and donation complete the observance socially.

Important Narak Chaturdashi Puja Notes

  • The thirteen-lamp count is source-supported.
  • Do not place flame beneath dry leaves or where it can be kicked.
  • Traditional beliefs are devotional, not guarantees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before sunrise.

In the evening.

Thirteen.

Aarti, prasad and supported charity.