Choti Diwali 2026 (Narak Chaturdashi): Kali Chaudas on 7 November, Abhyanga Snan on 8 November
In 2026 Narak Chaturdashi falls across two days. Kali Chaudas, the night observance, is on Saturday, 7 November. The abhyanga snan, the ritual oil bath of Narak Chaturdashi, is at dawn on Sunday, 8 November, 5:40 to 6:38 AM in Delhi, which is also the day of Diwali. That is why some calendars call the 7th Choti Diwali and others the 8th.
संक्षेप में: 2026 में नरक चतुर्दशी दो दिनों में बँटी है। रात्रि का पर्व काली चौदस शनिवार, 7 नवम्बर को है, और अभ्यंग स्नान — नरक चतुर्दशी का तेल-स्नान — रविवार, 8 नवम्बर को भोर में, दिल्ली में सुबह 5:40 से 6:38 तक है; यही दीपावली का दिन भी है। चतुर्दशी तिथि 7 नवम्बर सुबह 10:49 से 8 नवम्बर सुबह 11:29 तक है। इसीलिए कुछ कैलेंडर 7 को छोटी दीपावली कहते हैं और कुछ 8 को। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →
Choti Diwali 2026: the dates
- Chaturdashi tithi: 10:49 AM on 7 November to 11:29 AM on 8 November
- Kali Chaudas (night): Saturday, 7 November
- Abhyanga snan (Delhi): Sunday, 8 November, 5:40 AM (moonrise) to 6:38 AM (sunrise)
- Diwali, Lakshmi Puja: Sunday, 8 November, evening
Why the snan falls on Diwali’s own day this year
The two observances of this Chaturdashi follow different rules. Kali Chaudas needs Chaturdashi at midnight, and the tithi, which begins at 10:49 AM on the 7th, holds the night of the 7th. The abhyanga snan is taken before sunrise, after the moon has risen, while Chaturdashi is running; that happens only at dawn on the 8th. Amavasya then begins at 11:29 AM on the 8th and holds the evening, so Lakshmi Puja is that same night. In most years the snan and Diwali fall on different days; in 2026 they share one. The full five-day calendar is in Diwali 2026.
The Narakasura story
Narakasura, a demon king who had imprisoned sixteen thousand women and seized the earrings of Aditi, was killed by Krishna, with Satyabhama at his side, on this Chaturdashi. Before dying he asked that the day be remembered with lamps and a ritual bath. The abhyanga snan and the lamps of Choti Diwali keep that promise.
Abhyanga snan vidhi
Before dawn, massage the body with sesame oil, apply ubtan (a paste of gram flour, turmeric and fragrant herbs), and bathe, traditionally touching the head with a sprig of apamarga (chirchita) during the bath. Wear fresh clothes, light a lamp and offer water to the Sun. In Delhi the window runs from moonrise at 5:40 AM to sunrise at 6:38 AM on 8 November; in other cities it moves by a few minutes, so check your town on our Panchang.
Kali Chaudas and Hanuman puja on the night of 7 November
In Gujarat and parts of western India, the night of Chaturdashi is Kali Chaudas, for worship of Kali and protection from harm. In Ayodhya and parts of North India, Hanuman Jayanti is kept on this Chaturdashi, with worship of Hanuman and recitation of the Bajrang Baan or the Hanuman Chalisa. Both belong to the night of Saturday, 7 November this year.
Roop Chaudas and the Yama lamp
In Rajasthan and parts of North India the morning bath is called Roop Chaudas, a day for grooming and care of the body. Many households also light a lamp for Yama on the evening of the Chaturdashi; panchangs differ this year on whether that lamp belongs to the 6th, with Dhanteras, or to the evening of the 7th. The Dharmraj Yamraj aarti is sung with it.
Choti Diwali 2026: FAQs
When is Choti Diwali in 2026?
It depends on which observance you mean. Kali Chaudas is the night of Saturday, 7 November; the Narak Chaturdashi abhyanga snan is at dawn on Sunday, 8 November.
What is the abhyanga snan time in 2026?
In Delhi, from moonrise at 5:40 AM to sunrise at 6:38 AM on Sunday, 8 November.
Are Choti Diwali and Diwali on the same day in 2026?
The abhyanga snan and Lakshmi Puja both fall on Sunday, 8 November: the snan at dawn and the puja in the evening. Kali Chaudas is the night before.
What is Kali Chaudas?
The night of Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi, kept for worship of Kali or Hanuman and protection from harm. In 2026 it is the night of Saturday, 7 November.
For what the Diwali season holds in your own chart, start with your free kundli or talk to an astrologer.
