Choti Diwali, observed on the Chaturdashi Tithi, or the fourteenth day of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik, will be celebrated on November 8, 2026.
The Chaturdashi Tithi will start at 10:47 am on Saturday, November 7, and conclude at 11:27 am on Sunday, November 8. The festival will be observed on November 8 because the pre-dawn Abhyang Snan ritual falls on that day while Chaturdashi is in progress.
Choti Diwali 2026 Abhyang Snan Muhurat
As per the New Delhi Panchang, the Abhyang Snan muhurat on November 8 will run from 5:41 am to 6:38 am. Devotees traditionally wake up before sunrise, apply sesame oil to their bodies and take a ritual bath. The practice is believed to purify the body and help remove negativity.
Religious significance of Choti Diwali
Choti Diwali is closely linked with Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura in Hindu mythology. Narakasura is described as a powerful demon who caused fear across the three worlds and held thousands of women captive.
His oppression was brought to an end when Lord Krishna confronted him with the support of his wife, Satyabhama. The victory is remembered as the triumph over evil and the basis for the observance of Naraka Chaturdashi.
Choti Diwali rituals
Abhyang Snan is among the most important practices associated with the festival. The early-morning bath is traditionally performed with oil and herbal preparations and carries special religious importance in Hindu customs.
A sesame-oil bath during Naraka Chaturdashi is believed to cleanse the body and mind and shield devotees from negative influences. Traditional beliefs also hold that performing the ritual within the prescribed muhurat brings spiritual purification and blessings, while symbolising the removal of past sins and the destruction of negativity.
Families also place earthen lamps outside their homes. Some observe Yama Deepam, a ritual associated with the well-being and longevity of family members.
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