Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 (Sunday 8 November): Abhyang Snan Time City-Wise, Choti Diwali on the Same Day, Story and Rituals

Quick answer: Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 is on Sunday 8 November 2026 in India, the same day as Diwali Lakshmi Puja. The ritual oil bath (abhyang snan) is taken before sunrise. Drik Panchang's window for New Delhi is 05:41 AM to 06:38 AM; city-wise times are below. In the USA, Canada and the UK it falls on Saturday 7 November.

Last updated: 10 October 2026. This guide was rewritten and expanded on 10 October 2026 with city-wise times from Drik Panchang. Always confirm for your own city.

Naraka Chaturdashi is the morning of light before the night of Lakshmi. In 2026 the calendar makes it unusual: in India, Choti Diwali and the main Diwali fall on the same Sunday. This page covers the timings, why that happens, the story, the oil bath, and regional customs from Goa to Tamil Nadu. For the five-day festival, see the Diwali 2026 complete guide.

Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 date and tithi

Why Choti Diwali and Diwali share a date in 2026

The abhyang snan is done when Chaturdashi is current before sunrise, around moonrise. On Saturday 7 November, Chaturdashi begins only at 10:47 AM, after sunrise. On Sunday 8 November it is still current at dawn. So Sunday is Naraka Chaturdashi. Amavasya then begins at 11:27 AM on Sunday and is current at sunset, which makes Sunday evening the Lakshmi Puja night as well. In most years the two are a day apart; in 2026 they meet.

Saturday 7 November is still observed as Kali Chaudas in Gujarat and parts of western India, where the night of Chaturdashi is used for worship of Mahakali and Hanuman. See Kali Chaudas 2026 in Gujarat.

Abhyang snan time city-wise (Sunday 8 November 2026)

Source: Drik Panchang city pages for Narak Chaturdashi 2026, checked 10 October 2026. The window runs from moonrise to sunrise. Other cities differ by a few minutes; check your own city on the Drik Panchang abhyang snan page. For the full day, see Panchangam 8 November 2026.

The story of Narakasura

Narakasura was, as the Puranas tell it, the son of Bhudevi, the Earth goddess. He ruled from Pragjyotishapura, a city traditionally placed in present-day Assam. Made arrogant by boons and power, he harassed the devas, took the earrings of Aditi, mother of the gods, and held thousands of women captive.

Lord Krishna rode against him on Garuda with his queen Satyabhama, and Narakasura was slain on Chaturdashi. In the version most loved in South India, Satyabhama herself strikes the final blow. Narakasura was Bhudevi's son, and Satyabhama is often regarded as a form of Bhudevi, so the mother ends her son's cruelty. As traditionally told, the dying Narakasura asked that his death be remembered each year with lights and joy, and so the day begins with lamps and a festive bath.

Krishna freed the captives and, to protect their honour, gave them shelter and status. That is why the day is also remembered as a festival of liberation. For full retellings, read Story of Narakasura and Krishna and Satyabhama and Narakasura Vadha.

How to do the Naraka Chaturdashi oil bath

1. Wake before your city's window. Light a lamp at the puja place and the doorway.
2. Warm sesame oil gently. An elder applies it to the head and body of each family member. Drik Panchang notes that sesame oil should be used for the ubtan.
3. Many families apply an ubtan of gram flour, turmeric, sandalwood and herbs, then bathe in warm water while Chaturdashi is still current and before sunrise.
4. In Maharashtra and Goa, a small bitter fruit (karit) is crushed underfoot before or after the bath, standing for Narakasura's defeat. Many families then taste a tiny bit of its bitterness.
5. Wear fresh or new clothes, offer a lamp and prayer to Krishna, and seek the blessings of elders.
6. Eat a light breakfast. In Tamil homes, a spoonful of Deepavali lehiyam often comes first.

Drik Panchang adds that it is traditionally believed those who take the abhyang snan on this day avoid going to Naraka. Like all such beliefs, this is shared as devotional tradition. If you miss the exact window, an early bath with the same intention is what most families do.

Children and the elderly: test the oil and water temperature, keep floors dry, and do not rush. Safety comes before the muhurat.

How Naraka Chaturdashi is observed across India

Regional guides: Tamil Deepavali 2026 and Thalai Deepavali, Telugu Deepavali 2026, Deepavali 2026 in Kerala and Goa's Narakasura effigies.

Roop Chaudas

In Rajasthan and parts of North India, the day is also called Roop Chaturdashi or Roop Chaudas. Women in particular take time over an ubtan bath, as a way of preparing body and home for Lakshmi's arrival that night. In 2026 the ubtan morning and the Lakshmi Puja evening are the same day.

Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 abroad

In the USA, Canada and the UK, Chaturdashi is current at local sunrise on Saturday 7 November 2026, so the oil bath is that morning. Lakshmi Puja is still on Sunday 8 November. Do not use India's times abroad; your city's sunrise sets the window.

• Narak Chaturdashi 2026 in the USA
• Narak Chaturdashi 2026 in Canada
• Narak Chaturdashi 2026 in the UK

In Singapore and Malaysia, Chaturdashi is current at sunrise on Sunday 8 November, the same as India. See Deepavali 2026 in Singapore.

The meaning behind the morning

Teachers and elders often read the festival as an inner story too. Narakasura's name comes from naraka, a state of suffering, and his arrogance grew from power that no one checked. The bath before dawn is a fresh start: you wash off the old year's heaviness before lighting lamps for Lakshmi. Many families say a short prayer during the bath, asking to let go of one habit or grudge before Diwali night.

The day is also about release. Krishna's first act after the battle was to free the captives and restore their dignity. Some families mark this with a small act of service on Naraka Chaturdashi: food for someone in need, a gift for domestic staff, or a visit to an elderly relative who lives alone.

Naraka Chaturdashi with children

• Tell the story the night before, with Satyabhama as the hero. Children remember a story they have heard just before bedtime.
• Let older children help warm the oil (under supervision) and draw the doorway rangoli.
• If an early alarm is hard, a short oil massage and bath soon after waking keeps the spirit of the day.
• Crackers only with adults present, in an open space, within local time limits, with a bucket of water nearby.
• Link the morning to the evening: the bath now, the lamps and Lakshmi Puja tonight.

Diwali week 2026 at a glance (India)

Related: Yama Deepam 2026, Dhanteras 2026 and Bali Pratipada and Diwali Padwa 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is Naraka Chaturdashi in 2026?

Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 is on Sunday 8 November in India. Chaturdashi tithi runs from 10:47 AM on Saturday 7 November to 11:27 AM on Sunday 8 November, and the abhyang snan is taken before sunrise on Sunday.

Is Choti Diwali on 7 or 8 November 2026?

Drik Panchang lists Narak Chaturdashi, also called Choti Diwali or Roop Chaudas, on Sunday 8 November 2026 for Indian cities, the same day as Diwali Lakshmi Puja. Saturday 7 November is Kali Chaudas, the night worship observed in Gujarat and parts of western India.

What is the abhyang snan time on Naraka Chaturdashi 2026?

Drik Panchang gives these windows for Sunday 8 November: New Delhi 05:41 to 06:38 AM, Mumbai 05:45 to 06:42 AM, Bengaluru 05:17 to 06:15 AM, Chennai 05:06 to 06:05 AM, Kolkata 04:45 to 05:45 AM and Hyderabad 05:19 to 06:18 AM.

Which oil is used for the Naraka Chaturdashi bath?

Sesame oil (til oil) is the traditional choice. Drik Panchang notes that sesame oil should be used for the ubtan during abhyang snan. Many families add a paste of gram flour, turmeric and herbs to wash it off.

Why is Naraka Chaturdashi celebrated?

It recalls the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna, with Satyabhama at his side, and the release of the thousands of people he held captive. The pre-dawn bath and lamps mark the end of darkness, and it is traditionally believed that the bath on this day protects one from Naraka (hell).

When is Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 in the USA, UK and Canada?

Saturday 7 November 2026, a day before India, because Chaturdashi is current at local sunrise on Saturday there. Diwali Lakshmi Puja abroad is still on Sunday 8 November.

Editor's note (10 October 2026)

This page, first published as a short summary, was rewritten on 10 October 2026. Abhyang snan windows are from Drik Panchang's Narak Chaturdashi 2026 pages for New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The tithi times and the dates abroad are from HinduTone's Oct to Dec 2026 calendar data and our country guides. Stories are given as traditionally told. Regional customs vary, so follow your family's practice.