The day before Diwali

Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) 2026

Saturday, 7 November 2026 to Sunday, 8 November 2026

Naraka Chaturdashi, also called Choti Diwali and Kali Chaudas, is on 7 and 8 November 2026: lamps on the evening of 7 November and the oil bath (abhyang snan) before sunrise on 8 November, the day of Diwali.

Naraka Chaturdashi falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi in Kartik, the day before the Diwali Amavasya. It celebrates Krishna and Satyabhama defeating the demon Narakasura, and is also known as Choti Diwali, Roop Chaudas and, in Gujarat and Bengal, Kali Chaudas.

In 2026 the Chaturdashi tithi runs from about 10:48 AM on Saturday 7 November to about 11:28 AM on Sunday 8 November (Delhi). That is why two dates are in use: the evening of 7 November, when Chaturdashi is in force at sunset (Choti Diwali lamps, Yama Deepam and Kali Chaudas puja), and the early morning of 8 November, when Chaturdashi is still in force at sunrise (the abhyang snan). Diwali Lakshmi Puja is on the evening of 8 November.

Rituals

Abhyang snan: an oil massage and bath before sunrise, often with ubtan, on the morning of 8 November.
Lighting lamps (diyas) in the evening, with a lamp for Yama placed outside the home on the evening of 7 November.
Cleaning and decorating the home, and making rangoli, ahead of Diwali.
Kali puja or Hanuman worship in some regions on the night of Chaturdashi.

Do

Take the oil bath early, before sunrise, if you follow the custom.
Light the Yama lamp facing south at the main door in the evening.

Avoid

Avoid starting the Lakshmi Puja early; it belongs to the Amavasya evening of 8 November.
Avoid leaving the home dark or untidy going into Diwali.

Frequently asked questions

When is Choti Diwali 2026?

The evening of Saturday 7 November 2026 for the lamps, with the abhyang snan on the morning of Sunday 8 November, the day of Diwali.

Is Choti Diwali the same as Naraka Chaturdashi?

Yes. Naraka Chaturdashi, Choti Diwali and Roop Chaudas are the same Chaturdashi tithi. Kali Chaudas is the night observance of the same day in Gujarat and Bengal.

Why are there two dates?

The Chaturdashi tithi spans both the evening of 7 November and the sunrise of 8 November. Evening rites follow the first and the morning bath follows the second.

When is Diwali Lakshmi Puja 2026?

On the evening of Sunday 8 November 2026, when the Amavasya tithi is in force at nightfall.

Festival dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar (tithi) and can differ by a day between regions and panchangs. Times are computed for each city from NASA JPL planetary data. Confirm with your local temple or priest for religious observances.

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Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) 2026

Rituals

Do

Avoid

Frequently asked questions

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