Roop Chaudas the Beauty Makeover before Diwali
Krishna Slays the Demon Narakasura on Kali Chaturdashi Day
Oct 11, 2009
Roop Chaudas the second day of the Diwali festival is the least celebrated. Most people just take it as a break from the festivities. It falls on the fourteenth day (Chaudas) of the fortnight of the waning moon, also known as Krishna Paksha, in the Hindu month of Kartik.
There are two independent significances of this day. One is that it is traditionally used to beautify oneself before the major part of the coming festivities. The other is that it was that, on this day, Krishna slew the dreaded demon, Narakasura.
Roop Chaudas
The aspect of beautifying the body is more prevalent in northern India, particularly in Rajasthan. It is the women who are engaged in this traditional activity. Various oils are applied on the body before the bath. During the bath, the body is scrubbed with a special powder made from gram flour laced with herbs, which is known as ubatan. The gram flour performs the function of a cleanser and the scented herbs act as perfumes.
In South India, the emphasis is more on getting the home ready for Diwali. People bathe well before dawn because it is believed that taking a bath when the stars can be seen is as purifying as bathing in the river Ganga. After that the house is decorated with colored powder patterns known as rangolis and with flowers and other ornamentation.
Today, in the busy urban life, those who desire to uphold the tradition of Roop Chaudas make do with a trip to the salon.
Solah Shringar
Solah Shringar, or the sixteen adornments in the beauty makeup of a woman, is a concept that's intricately woven into Hindu religion, culture and literature. Traditionally, it is performed on the bride just before her marriage but has over the centuries found its way into everyday life. In a popular song from the Hindi movie Pakeezah, the courtesan says that she will keep her lover waiting at the door while she puts on the sixteen adornments.
In the Hindu marriage adorning the bride is a part of the religious ceremonies. After the ladies from the family complete the sixteen adornments Verse 33 from Hymn 85 (Surya’s Bridal) of Book X of the Riga Veda is recited. This verse, which obliquely refers to the sixteen adornments as ‘signs of good fortune’ reads: "Signs of good fortune mark the bride come all of you and look at her. / Wish her prosperity, and then return unto your homes again."
The solah shringar are:
- Bindi – Vermillion dot on the forehead
- Sindoor – Vermillion powder on the parting of the hair
- Maangteeka – An ornament worn over the parting of the hair
- Kaajal – Kohl on the eyelashes
- Nath – Nose ring
- Mangal Sutra – Sacred necklace
- Karn Phool – Earrings
- Mehendi – Henna patterns on the hands and feet
- Choodiya – Bangles
- Baju Band – Armlets
- Aarsi – Ring on the thumb
- Keshapash – Hair arrangement
- Cummer Band – Waist band
- Payal & Bichuas – Anklets and toe rings
- Attar – Perfume
- Suhag ka Joda – Bridal dress
Naraka Chaturdashi
Since the demon Narakasura was slain on this day, it is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi or Kali Chaturdashi.
Narakasura had defeated Indra the king of the demi-gods and taken away the ear rings of his mother Aditi. He challenged Indra to retrieve them. Krishna took up the challenge on Indra’s behalf. Krishna and his wife Satyabhama landed on the outskirts of Narakasura’s kingdom to learn that it was fortified with an invisible electric fence. Satyabhama put her sword on the fence and absorbed the electric force. Krishna then destroyed the demon’s army and killed Narakasura.
Particularly in Gujarat, where Krishna had established his kingdom of Dwarka, prayers are offered to Krishna for getting rid of Narakasura.
Roop Chaudas demonstrates how Hinduism is a mix of rituals and legends that have been woven into contemporary culture, thus keeping alive the heritage of thousands of years.
Sources:
- Riga Veda, Book X, Hymn 85, Hinduism; Accessed from Sacred-Texts.com
- Solah Shringar, Accessed from HinduCouncilUK.org
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