Quick answer: Narak Chaturdashi 2026 UK falls on Saturday 7 November 2026, one day before India, where it is on Sunday 8 November. This is the Drik Panchang date for the UK, and it applies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday 8 November in both the UK and India. So British families get Choti Diwali on Saturday and the main Diwali night on Sunday, both on the weekend. All dates on this page are UK dates.

Narak Chaturdashi 2026 UK date compared with India

DayUK (2026)India (2026)
DhanterasFri 6 NovFri 6 Nov
Narak Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)Sat 7 NovSun 8 Nov
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)Sun 8 NovSun 8 Nov
Govardhan PujaMon 9 NovTue 10 Nov
Bhai DoojTue 10 NovWed 11 Nov

Source: Drik Panchang dates for the UK and India.

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Why the UK keeps Choti Diwali a day early

Many people assume that the UK, being only a few hours behind India, should always share India's dates. Usually it does. But when a tithi changes close to the deciding moment, even a few hours can tip a festival onto a different day.

For Narak Chaturdashi, the deciding moment is the pre-dawn period, often described as moonrise to sunrise, when the Abhyang Snan is done. The Chaturdashi tithi starts and ends at the same instant worldwide, but sunrise in Birmingham comes hours after sunrise in Bengaluru. In 2026, Drik Panchang places the Chaturdashi pre-dawn window on Saturday morning for the UK and on Sunday morning for India.

So follow the UK date. Do not copy Indian dates or times, even though the gap is small.

Abhyang Snan before sunrise on a British November morning

The Abhyang Snan is an oil bath before dawn. Warm sesame oil is massaged into the hair and body, then ubtan, a paste of gram flour, turmeric and fragrant powders, is applied before bathing. Afterwards many people wear new or clean festive clothes and light a lamp.

  • Dark and late sunrise: British Summer Time ends in late October, which brings sunrise back to an easier hour for a while. Even so, November mornings are dark and damp. Put the heating on early.
  • Hot water: if your home has a hot-water tank, check it will last for the whole family. With a combi boiler, space out the showers.
  • Weekend: Saturday means no school, so children can take part. Many families make it a slow breakfast with sweets afterwards.
  • Safety: oil makes baths and shower trays slippery. Use a non-slip mat and wash the tray afterwards.
  • Shopping: sesame oil, besan, turmeric and ubtan powders are easy to find in Indian grocers in most cities. Buy them before the weekend, as shops get busy.

For the exact pre-dawn window in your town, use Drik Panchang with your location selected. We do not give clock times here.

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Yama Deepam, Hanuman puja and Kali Chaudas

  • Yama Deepam: an evening lamp facing south, lit as a prayer to Yama for the family's protection. Some families light it on Dhanteras, others on Choti Diwali.
  • Hanuman puja: in some North Indian traditions Hanuman is worshipped today with sindoor, oil and sweets, along with the Hanuman Chalisa.
  • Kali Chaudas: for many Gujarati families in Leicester, London and elsewhere, this night is linked with Kali or Mahakali and with prayers for protection. Its date depends on the midnight tithi, so check it separately.

Bonfire Night, Remembrance Sunday and Diwali week

Diwali week in 2026 sits right next to two British dates. Bonfire Night is Thursday 5 November, so fireworks will already be in the air. Remembrance Sunday falls on 8 November, the same day as Lakshmi Puja. If you plan any fireworks on Diwali evening, keep the two-minute silence and the solemn mood of the morning in mind, and be considerate of neighbours, pets and local rules on noise and timing.

For Choti Diwali on Saturday, a few diyas at the door and in the window are enough. In flats, use electric diyas near curtains and keep real flames on a metal tray, away from smoke alarms.

The Narakasura story as commonly told

As commonly told, Narakasura was an asura king who seized power, attacked the gods and held thousands of women captive. Krishna and his wife Satyabhama fought him and killed him on Chaturdashi, freeing the captives. As he died, Narakasura asked that the day be marked with lights. The oil bath is linked with cleansing after battle, and the lamps with light winning over darkness.

Regions tell the story differently. In some tellings Satyabhama strikes the last blow. In South India the story is so central that many families celebrate Deepavali itself on this morning.

Frequently asked questions

What is the date of Narak Chaturdashi 2026 in the UK?

Drik Panchang gives Saturday 7 November 2026 for the UK. In India it is Sunday 8 November.

Why is the UK date different from India when the UK is only a few hours behind?

Even a few hours can move the deciding moment to a different morning. Narak Chaturdashi is kept on the morning when Chaturdashi is current before local sunrise. In 2026 that pre-dawn window falls on Saturday in the UK and on Sunday in India.

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Is Diwali on Sunday 8 November in the UK?

Yes. Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is Sunday 8 November 2026 in the UK, the same as India. Choti Diwali comes the day before, on Saturday.

What time is the Abhyang Snan in London or Leicester?

We do not give a clock muhurat. Check Drik Panchang with your town selected. Do not use India's timings in the UK.

Is Kali Chaudas the same day as Narak Chaturdashi in the UK?

It may not be. Kali Chaudas depends on Chaturdashi at midnight, and the Abhyang Snan depends on the pre-dawn hours. Check Drik Panchang or your mandir's calendar.

Should Tamil or Telugu families in the UK celebrate Deepavali on Saturday?

Many South Indian families treat the Naraka Chaturdashi oil-bath morning as Deepavali. If yours does, that morning is Saturday 7 November in the UK. Follow your own family panchangam if it differs.

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 are from Drik Panchang for the UK and India. We have not listed a clock muhurat for the Abhyang Snan; please check Drik Panchang for your town. The story is given as commonly told.