Narak Chaturdashi 2026 — Sunday 8 November
నరక చతుర్దశి 2026
Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (Purnimanta) · Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi (Amanta) · Choti Diwali / Roop Chaudas / Kali Chaudas / Naraka Chaturdasi · Chaturdashi Tithi begins 7 Nov 10:47 IST · ends 8 Nov 11:27 IST · Abhyanga-Snan Muhurta 8 Nov 05:34 – 06:40 IST (pre-dawn oil-bath ritual) · Kali Chaudas midnight puja 7 Nov 23:39 – 00:31 IST · Yama Tarpanam post-sunset
Narak Chaturdashi 2026 (also called Choti Diwali / Roop Chaudas / Kali Chaudas / Naraka Chaturdasi) falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Narak Chaturdashi marks Krishna's slaying of the demon Narakasura in Pragjyotishpur — freeing 16,000 women he had abducted. The pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan (sesame-oil + ubtan + warm-water bath) commemorates the ritual purification the freed women underwent. In South India (AP, Telangana, TN, KA), THIS is the primary Deepavali celebration — Naraka Chaturdasi Deepavali is the "Chinna Deepavali" (small Deepavali) but is when houses light diyas, burst firecrackers, and celebrate as Deepavali proper. Bengal observes it as Kali Chaudas (Kali's midnight puja) and Bhoot Chaturdashi (14-lamp lighting for departed ancestors). Primary observance: Pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan — sesame oil massage + ubtan (turmeric-besan-milk paste) + tulsi-water bath before sunrise (skips the "day of death" curse per Krishna's decree), new clothes worn, Yama Tarpanam post-bath, Kali Chaudas midnight puja (Bengal, Gujarat), Bhoot Chaturdashi 14 diyas at doorway (Bengal — one per pitru generation), evening firecrackers + diyas (Roop Chaudas — for beauty, per South tradition of Krishna gifting cosmetics to Narakasura's freed captives). Recommended muhurat: Chaturdashi Tithi begins 7 Nov 10:47 IST · ends 8 Nov 11:27 IST · Abhyanga-Snan Muhurta 8 Nov 05:34 – 06:40 IST (pre-dawn oil-bath ritual) · Kali Chaudas midnight puja 7 Nov 23:39 – 00:31 IST · Yama Tarpanam post-sunset.
Narak Chaturdashi 2026 — Date & Muhurat
| Festival Date | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
| Telugu Masa & Tithi | Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi (Purnimanta) · Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi (Amanta) |
| Primary Muhurat | Chaturdashi Tithi begins 7 Nov 10:47 IST · ends 8 Nov 11:27 IST · Abhyanga-Snan Muhurta 8 Nov 05:34 – 06:40 IST (pre-dawn oil-bath ritual) · Kali Chaudas midnight puja 7 Nov 23:39 – 00:31 IST · Yama Tarpanam post-sunset |
| Alternative Names | Choti Diwali / Roop Chaudas / Kali Chaudas / Naraka Chaturdasi |
All timings computed using Lahiri Ayanamsa Swiss Ephemeris for Hyderabad (17.385°N, 78.486°E). For exact local timings in other cities use our Today's Panchangam tool.
Significance of Narak Chaturdashi 2026
Narak Chaturdashi marks Krishna's slaying of the demon Narakasura in Pragjyotishpur — freeing 16,000 women he had abducted. The pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan (sesame-oil + ubtan + warm-water bath) commemorates the ritual purification the freed women underwent. In South India (AP, Telangana, TN, KA), THIS is the primary Deepavali celebration — Naraka Chaturdasi Deepavali is the "Chinna Deepavali" (small Deepavali) but is when houses light diyas, burst firecrackers, and celebrate as Deepavali proper. Bengal observes it as Kali Chaudas (Kali's midnight puja) and Bhoot Chaturdashi (14-lamp lighting for departed ancestors).
Key Rituals on Narak Chaturdashi 2026
Pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan — sesame oil massage + ubtan (turmeric-besan-milk paste) + tulsi-water bath before sunrise (skips the "day of death" curse per Krishna's decree), new clothes worn, Yama Tarpanam post-bath, Kali Chaudas midnight puja (Bengal, Gujarat), Bhoot Chaturdashi 14 diyas at doorway (Bengal — one per pitru generation), evening firecrackers + diyas (Roop Chaudas — for beauty, per South tradition of Krishna gifting cosmetics to Narakasura's freed captives).
Narak Chaturdashi 2026 Puja Samagri Checklist (Shopping List)
Items to procure 1-2 days before Narak Chaturdashi 2026:
| # | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sesame oil (for pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan) |
| 2 | Ubtan powder (turmeric + besan + milk paste) |
| 3 | Tulsi water + gangajal (for post-bath sprinkling) |
| 4 | New clothes + accessories |
| 5 | Krishna picture (for South Indian Deepavali) |
| 6 | Kali picture (for Bengal Kali Chaudas) |
| 7 | 14 mustard-oil diyas (Bengal — Bhoot Chaturdashi) |
| 8 | Naivedyam: kheer, laddoo, appam, seasonal fruits |
| 9 | Firecrackers + sparklers (South Deepavali) |
| 10 | Ghee lamp + camphor + agarbatti |
Regional Variations of Narak Chaturdashi 2026
Andhra/Telangana/Tamil Nadu/Karnataka (South): THIS is Deepavali proper — pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan is the peak ritual (called "Ganga Snanam"); firecrackers burst before sunrise; new clothes worn; Krishna-Narakasura katha read. Bengal: Kali Chaudas — midnight Kali puja at Dakshineswar/Kalighat; Bhoot Chaturdashi 14-lamp lighting. Gujarat: Kali Chaudas overnight; some tantric practitioners visit cremation grounds. Maharashtra: Narak Chaturdashi with Ubtan-abhyanga; then Lakshmi Puja tomorrow. North (Punjab/UP/Rajasthan): Choti Diwali — smaller Lakshmi puja + diyas as warm-up to next day's Badi Diwali.