Narak Chaturdashi is the second of the five days of Diwali, also called Choti Diwali, Roop Chaudas and Kali Chaudas. In 2026 Chaturdashi tithi runs from the morning of 7 November to the morning of 8 November — so the Choti Diwali lamps are lit on the evening of Saturday, 7 November and the Abhyang Snan is taken before sunrise on Sunday, 8 November. Diwali Lakshmi Puja falls that same evening. Below are the Narak Chaturdashi puja vidhi, muhurat, Yama Deepam, katha and rules.
Narak Chaturdashi 2026: date and muhurat
| Detail | Time (Delhi, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Chaturdashi tithi begins | 7 November, about 10:49 AM |
| Choti Diwali (lamps, Hanuman puja) | Saturday 7 November, evening |
| Kali Chaudas (night puja) | Midnight of 7 November |
| Abhyang Snan muhurat | 8 November, about 5:36 AM to sunrise at 6:38 AM |
| Chaturdashi tithi ends | 8 November, about 11:29 AM |
| Diwali Lakshmi Puja | 8 November, 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM |
Abhyang Snan in your city: sunrise on 8 November
| City | Sunrise — bathe before this |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 6:38 AM |
| Lucknow | 6:20 AM |
| Jaipur | 6:41 AM |
| Dehradun | 6:37 AM |
| Chandigarh | 6:43 AM |
| Patna | 6:01 AM |
| Kolkata | 5:44 AM |
| Mumbai | 6:42 AM |
| Ahmedabad | 6:48 AM |
| Hyderabad | 6:17 AM |
The Abhyang Snan is taken before sunrise, in the Arunodaya period — roughly the hour before sunrise. Check sunrise for other cities in Today’s Panchang.
Why is Narak Chaturdashi celebrated?
It is believed that on this tithi Lord Krishna, together with Satyabhama, killed the tyrant demon Narakasura and freed sixteen thousand women from his prison. Lamps were lit to celebrate this victory of good over evil. Yamraj, the god of death, is also worshipped on this day so that the family is free from untimely death and the fear of hell (narak) — which gives the festival its name.
Narak Chaturdashi puja samagri for Abhyang Snan
- Sesame (til) or mustard oil for the body massage
- Ubtan: gram flour (besan), turmeric, sandalwood and a little milk or curd
- A twig or leaves of apamarga (chirchita)
- Clean or new clothes to wear after the bath
- Water, sesame seeds and a lota for the tarpan to Yamraj
- For the evening: lamps, mustard oil, cotton wicks and a four-faced dough lamp
Narak Chaturdashi puja vidhi — step by step
- On 8 November wake before sunrise and massage the whole body with sesame oil. This is called abhyang.
- After the oil, apply ubtan — this is why the day is also called Roop Chaudas, as the bath is believed to enhance beauty.
- While bathing, by tradition the apamarga twig is circled over the head three times. Then bathe with plain water.
- After the bath, face south and offer water mixed with sesame seeds to Yamraj (tarpan), praying for the long life of the family.
- In clean clothes, worship Lord Krishna and Hanuman ji. Offer sindoor, jasmine oil and laddoos to Hanuman ji and recite the Hanuman Chalisa.
- In the evening light the four-faced Yama Deepam of dough outside the main door, facing south.
- Light lamps in the house and courtyard to celebrate Choti Diwali. Many families light fourteen lamps on this day.
Choti Diwali: the evening of 7 November
In 2026 Chaturdashi tithi prevails on the evening of 7 November, so the Choti Diwali lamps, Hanuman puja and Yama Deepam are done that evening. In several traditions, including Ayodhya, Hanuman Jayanti is also celebrated on this day. After the puja, sing the Hanuman ji aarti.
Kali Chaudas
In Gujarat and western India the night of Chaturdashi is observed as Kali Chaudas with worship of Maa Kali. In 2026 this puja falls at midnight on 7 November, as Chaturdashi tithi prevails that night.
How to light the Yama Deepam
- Make a four-faced lamp from kneaded dough and fill it with mustard oil and four wicks.
- In the evening place it outside the main door facing south — the direction of Yamraj.
- Light it and pray to Yamraj for the protection of the family and freedom from untimely death.
- Some families light the Yama Deepam on the evening of Dhanteras and some on Narak Chaturdashi — follow your family custom.
Narak Chaturdashi katha
Narakasura, king of Pragjyotishpur, was very powerful and cruel. He tormented the gods and sages, seized the earrings of Aditi, mother of the gods, and imprisoned sixteen thousand women. At the prayer of the gods, Lord Krishna rode out on Garuda with his wife Satyabhama to fight him.
After a fierce battle Narakasura was killed on Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi. As he died he asked for a boon: that whoever bathes before sunrise and lights lamps on this day should be free from the fear of hell. Since then the Abhyang Snan and the lighting of lamps have been part of this festival.
Roop Chaudas: the beauty bath
Narak Chaturdashi is also called Roop Chaudas or Roop Chaturdashi. The bath with oil and ubtan before sunrise on this day is believed to purify the body and enhance beauty. In Rajasthan and North India women especially bathe with ubtan on this day and in the evening dress up fully (solah shringar) and light lamps.
Kartik is the month when the weather turns and winter begins. A sesame-oil massage and ubtan prepare the skin for the cold — so the custom is also linked with health.
Narak Chaturdashi in South India
In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Deepavali itself is celebrated on the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi. People take an oil bath (Ganga snanam) before sunrise, wear new clothes, share sweets and burst crackers. In Goa, effigies of Narakasura are burnt on this day.
Where to light lamps on Choti Diwali
- On both sides of the main door
- Outside the main door facing south — the Yama Deepam
- In the kitchen and where drinking water is kept
- Near the tulsi plant
- At the home shrine
- In the corners of the roof, balcony and courtyard
- At a nearby temple or under a peepal tree
Choti Diwali lamps are usually lit with mustard oil, while the main lamp of the next day’s Lakshmi Puja is of ghee.
Rules of Narak Chaturdashi
- Take the Abhyang Snan before sunrise; a bath after sunrise is not counted as the festival bath.
- Clean the house thoroughly and remove broken and unused things.
- Place the Yama Deepam outside the main door facing south, not inside the house.
- Avoid quarrels in the evening and light up every corner of the home.
Read more on Wikipedia, and see the full Diwali Lakshmi Puja Vidhi and our Vrat Calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is Narak Chaturdashi in 2026?
Chaturdashi tithi runs from about 10:49 AM on 7 November to about 11:29 AM on 8 November 2026. Choti Diwali lamps are lit on the evening of 7 November, and the Abhyang Snan is taken before sunrise on Sunday, 8 November.
What is the Abhyang Snan muhurat in 2026?
In Delhi, from about 5:36 AM to sunrise at 6:38 AM on 8 November. In other cities, bathe before your local sunrise.
Is Choti Diwali the same as Narak Chaturdashi?
Yes, both are observed on Chaturdashi tithi. In 2026 the tithi spans two days, so the evening lamps fall on 7 November and the morning bath on 8 November — the same day as Diwali Lakshmi Puja.
How is the Yama Deepam lit?
A four-faced lamp of kneaded dough filled with mustard oil is placed outside the main door facing south in the evening. Some families light it on Dhanteras and some on Narak Chaturdashi — follow your family custom.
