Naraka Chaturdashi and Diwali 2026: The Dharmashastra Ruling on Which Day to Observe

According to the Dharmashastra and the tithi-decision texts Nirnaya Sindhu and Dharma Sindhu, here is how to decide the correct day for this year's festivals, with the scriptural authorities. (Tithi times: Drik Panchang, Indian Standard Time.)

1. When should Naraka Chaturdashi be observed?

The main rite of Naraka Chaturdashi is the abhyanga snan, the oil bath taken at arunodaya, the period of about 1 hour 36 minutes before sunrise.

Āśvayuje tamaḥpakṣe caturdaśyāṁ vidhukṣaye | prātaḥsnānaṁ tu yaḥ kuryāt yamalokaṁ na paśyati || (Padma Purana / Smriti Muktavali): "Whoever bathes at dawn on the Chaturdashi of the dark half of Ashvayuja, when the moon wanes, does not see the realm of Yama."

Yadahaḥ aruṇodaye caturdaśī bhavati tadahareva abhyaṅgasnānaṁ kāryam | (Dharma Sindhu): "The oil bath must be taken on the day when Chaturdashi prevails at arunodaya."

• Saturday, 7 November 2026: Trayodashi lasts until 10:47 AM; Chaturdashi is not present at arunodaya.
• Sunday, 8 November 2026: Chaturdashi fully covers arunodaya before dawn (it lasts until 11:27 AM).
• Ruling: the Naraka Chaturdashi abhyanga snan and Yama tarpanam are to be performed before dawn on Sunday, 8 November 2026.

2. If Narakasura was slain at night, shouldn't we look at Pradosh?

The Dharmashastra principle is:

"Yasmin karmaṇi yaḥ kālas tat-kāla-vyāpinī tithiḥ": for each rite, take the tithi that prevails at the time prescribed for that rite.

The merit of freedom from naraka is promised not for the night on which Narakasura died by Sri Krishna's grace, but, according to the boon he asked for, for the auspicious bath taken at arunodaya the next morning. So Pradosh or the night-time tithi has no bearing here; what matters is Chaturdashi at arunodaya.

3. When is Diwali Lakshmi Puja?

The scriptures say that Diwali Lakshmi Puja and the lighting of lamps are to be done in the evening Pradosh Kaal:

Pradoṣa-samaye lakṣmīṁ pūjayitvā tataḥ sudhīḥ | dīpa-vṛkṣān prakurvīta bhavaneṣu gṛheṣu ca ||: "Having worshipped Lakshmi at Pradosh, the wise should then arrange rows of lamps in temples and homes."

• Sunday, 8 November 2026: Amavasya begins at 11:27 AM and covers the whole of the evening Pradosh Kaal.
• Ruling: Diwali Lakshmi Puja and Deepa Aradhana are to be performed on the evening of Sunday, 8 November 2026.

The order of observance on Sunday, 8 November 2026

• Before dawn (arunodaya): abhyanga snan with sesame oil, circling the body with the uttareni (apamarga) plant, and Yama tarpanam.
• Evening (Pradosh Kaal): decorating the home, Deepa Aradhana, Dhana Lakshmi Puja and the Kedareswara Vratam.

Observe the festival on the day the scriptures prescribe and receive every blessing.

Sarve janāḥ sukhino bhavantu! 🙏

Related: Naraka Chaturdashi Yama Tarpanam vidhi, Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 and Kedareswara Vratam 2026.