Nagula Chavithi 2026 in the UAE: Friday 13 November in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Same Day as India, with a Puja for Flats and Shared Homes
In the UAE, Nagula Chavithi 2026 falls on Friday 13 November, the same day as India. This guide gives the Drik Panchang date for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain, a naga puja that works in a flat or shared accommodation, why to leave desert burrows alone, fasting on a working Friday, a children's explanation and sunset times by emirate.
In the UAE, Nagula Chavithi 2026 falls on Friday 13 November, the same day as India. This guide gives the Drik Panchang date for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain, a naga puja that works in a flat or shared accommodation, why to leave desert burrows alone, fasting on a working Friday, a children's explanation and sunset times by emirate.
Quick answer: Nagula Chavithi 2026 UAE falls on Friday 13 November 2026, exactly the same day as in India. Drik Panchang gives this date for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.
For the large Telugu community in the Emirates, that makes this one of the easiest festivals of the year to share with family back home: same date, and only one and a half hours between you. All times in this guide are UAE time.
Nagula Chavithi 2026 UAE date and the Karthika calendar
| Event | UAE (2026) | India (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Diwali | Sun 8 Nov | Sun 8 Nov |
| Karthika Masam begins | Tue 10 Nov | Tue 10 Nov |
| Nagula Chavithi | Fri 13 Nov | Fri 13 Nov |
| First Karthika Somavaram | Mon 16 Nov | Mon 16 Nov |
| Kartika Purnima | Tue 24 Nov | Tue 24 Nov |
Source: Drik Panchang for the UAE and India. If you have relatives in the USA or Canada, note that they keep Nagula Chavithi a day earlier, on Thursday 12 November. For the whole month, see Karthika Masam 2026 in Dubai and the UAE.
What Nagula Chavithi celebrates
Nagula Chavithi is the Chaturthi of Karthika's bright fortnight, the day of the Naga devatas. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, women fast and go at dawn to a snake anthill (putta) with milk, turmeric, kumkum, flowers and sweets such as chalimidi and chimmili. They pray for the long life of their children and for the family's protection. The serpent is honoured across the Hindu world, as Adisesha beneath Vishnu, as Vasuki around Shiva's neck, and in the serpent form of Subrahmanya.
Kannada families in the Gulf often keep their main Naga worship at Naga Panchami in Shravana, while those with Telugu ties keep Karthika's Nagula Chavithi as well. Many mixed households simply do a short puja on both.
Leave the desert burrows alone
- Wildlife lives there: burrows in sand and rock shelter snakes, lizards and other animals. Pouring milk in can harm them.
- Venomous snakes: the UAE has venomous snakes in desert and mountain areas. Never reach into a hole or under a rock.
- Milk is not snake food: snakes do not need it, and spilled milk in the heat quickly spoils and draws insects.
- Public spaces: leaving food or offerings in parks, beaches or the desert is not appropriate. If you see a snake near your home, keep away and contact your local municipality.
A naga puja for a flat or shared home
- Idol or picture: a small silver, brass or copper naga, or a picture of the Naga devata. A naga drawn in rice flour and turmeric on a plate also works.
- Abhishekam in a plate: pour a spoonful of milk and then water over the idol, with turmeric and kumkum.
- Offerings: flowers, chalimidi, chimmili, dates or other fruit, and soaked chana.
- Chant: "Om Nagadevatayai Namah" 11 or 108 times, praying for your children and family.
- Lamp: if your building or labour accommodation doesn't allow open flames, an LED diya is fine.
- Afterwards: drink the clean milk as prasadam or water a balcony plant with it.
Hindu temples in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can be very busy on festival days. If you plan to go, check the temple's website for current timings and any booking or entry rules. We don't give a clock-time muhurat; check Drik Panchang for your emirate.
Sunset by emirate
Drik Panchang sunset times for Monday 9 November 2026 are below. On Friday 13 November sunset will be a minute or two earlier.
| City | Sunset Mon 9 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dubai | 5:33 PM |
| Abu Dhabi | 5:38 PM |
| Sharjah | 5:33 PM |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 5:30 PM |
| Al Ain | 5:33 PM |
Sunset around 5:30 PM is close to the end of the working day, so those keeping a fast until evening can often break it at home with the prasadam.
Fasting on a working Friday
Since the UAE moved to a Saturday-Sunday weekend, Friday is a working day for most people, with shorter hours in many workplaces. November is milder than summer, but site work and long commutes are still tiring. Many women keep a milk-and-fruit fast until the puja and eat normally afterwards. Elders, diabetics, people with heart, kidney or blood-pressure conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and anyone on regular medicine should consult a doctor first. Drink water through the day.
Explaining it to children in the UAE
Children growing up in the Emirates know the desert well, and many have seen desert wildlife on school trips. Tell them that Hindus thank the serpents as part of nature, and that on Nagula Chavithi mothers pray especially for their children. Then make the lesson practical: in the desert we never disturb a burrow or go near a snake; at home we offer our milk and sweets to the Naga devata. Let them help draw the naga in rice flour.
Tips for Telugu families in the Emirates
- Buy sesame, jaggery and rice flour in the Diwali week; Indian supermarkets in Karama, Bur Dubai and Abu Dhabi usually stock them.
- Keep the puja short in the morning and the sweets for the evening.
- Your 7 AM puja in Dubai is 8:30 AM in India, so you can join your family's puja by video call.
- Domestic workers and those in shared rooms can keep the festival with a picture and a silent prayer. The intention is what counts.
Frequently asked questions
When is Nagula Chavithi 2026 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Drik Panchang gives Friday 13 November 2026 for the UAE. It is the same in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.
Is the UAE date the same as India?
Yes. India also keeps Nagula Chavithi on Friday 13 November, and Karthika Masam starts on Tuesday 10 November in both. Only the clock differs: the UAE is one and a half hours behind India.
Can I use India's puja muhurat in Dubai?
No. Times worked out for India do not apply in the UAE, and we don't publish a clock-time muhurat. A morning puja is traditional; for an exact window, check Drik Panchang with your UAE city selected.
Can I do the anthill puja in the desert?
Please don't. Desert burrows are homes for wild animals, and the UAE has venomous snakes. Snakes do not need milk. Keep the offering indoors on a metal naga idol.
I live in shared accommodation. Can I still keep the festival?
Yes. A picture or small idol, a few flowers, a spoon of milk and an LED diya are enough. Chant "Om Nagadevatayai Namah" quietly and pray for your family at home.
Who should not fast?
Elders, diabetics, people with heart, kidney or blood-pressure conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and anyone on regular medicine should talk to a doctor first and keep a light fast.
Editor's note
Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. Dates and sunset times are from Drik Panchang for the UAE, in UAE time. We have not listed temple events or a clock-time muhurat; check Drik Panchang for your city and your temple directly. Fasting advice is general and is not medical advice.
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