Tithi 14rikta
Chaturdashi
चतुर्दशी
Presiding deity: Shiva (Rudra) / Kali
Tithi Mantra
ॐ नमो भगवते रुद्राय
Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya
Shukla Paksha (waxing)
Fourteenth day — Anant Chaturdashi (Shukla of Bhadrapada) = Ganesh visarjan + Vishnu Anant vrata. Narak Chaturdashi (Krishna of Kartik) = Choti Diwali.
Krishna Paksha (waning)
Maha Shivratri = Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalguna — most sacred Shiva night. Masik Shivratri every Krishna Chaturdashi.
Best for
- + Shiva worship (especially night)
- + Anant Vishnu puja
- + Kali worship
- + Lighting lamps in darkness
Avoid for
- - Travel at night
- - Tamasic activities
Fasting tradition
Maha Shivratri — overnight fast with 4 jaagaran prahars, abhishek with milk/honey/curd/ghee/sugar/water; Masik Shivratri — fast till midnight, single Shiva abhishek.
Major festivals on this tithi
Maha Shivratri, Masik Shivratri (monthly), Anant Chaturdashi, Narak Chaturdashi, Kartik Chaturdashi