Narak Chaturdashi 2026: Abhyang Snan, Yam Deep & Kali Chaudas Protection Remedies

Narak Chaturdashi 2026 Date and Timings

Narak Chaturdashi 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November in India, the morning of the Abhyang Snan. Chaturdashi tithi begins at 10:47 AM on 7 November and ends at 11:27 AM on 8 November, so Kali Chaudas, which is fixed by midnight, falls on the night of 7 November, while the Abhyang Snan, fixed by the pre-dawn hours, falls on 8 November.

The Abhyang Snan time follows Panchang for New Delhi, and Panchang also lists Kali Chaudas and Hanuman Puja on 7 November. The Kali Chaudas midnight window above follows Shubh Panchang. The UK date follows Hindutone's UK guide. For the Diwali evening, see our Lakshmi Puja muhurat and vidhi.

Finish the Abhyang Snan Before Sunrise in Your City

The bath must be completed before sunrise, while Chaturdashi is running. Here's when the sun rises on 8 November 2026:

Sunrise times as per Panchang. Start your oil massage 45 to 60 minutes before your city's sunrise.

Why Narak Chaturdashi Is Celebrated

Narak Chaturdashi marks Lord Krishna's victory, with Satyabhama, over the demon Narakasura, who had imprisoned 16,100 women (some retellings say 16,000). As he died, Narakasura asked that the day be remembered with lights, which is why homes light diyas the evening before Diwali.

The day has several names across India:

In some traditions, Hanuman Jayanti is also celebrated on this Chaturdashi, which is why Hanuman puja on Choti Diwali is common in North India.

Abhyang Snan Vidhi and Roop Chaudas Ubtan

Abhyang Snan is a ritual oil bath taken before sunrise on Narak Chaturdashi, while Chaturdashi tithi is still running. In 2026, take it between 5:41 AM and 6:38 AM on Sunday, 8 November (New Delhi time).

1. Wake up early: Rise before the muhurat begins and keep the bath area ready.

2. Oil massage: Massage your body and scalp with warm sesame (til) oil.

3. Roop Chaudas ubtan: Apply a paste of besan, haldi, sandalwood powder and rose water, then rub it off gently. Try a small patch on your arm first if you have sensitive skin.

4. Bathe: Bathe with warm water before sunrise. Many families also touch the head with Apamarga (chirchita) leaves during the bath, as a traditional act of cleansing.

5. Yama tarpan: After the bath, many traditions offer a little water to Yamraj, facing south, praying for the family's long life.

6. Dress and pray: Wear clean or new clothes, apply tilak and light a diya in the puja room.

Since the Abhyang Snan falls on the same morning as Diwali in 2026, it's a natural, peaceful start to the Lakshmi Puja day.

Deepavali in South India: Oil Bath on 8 November

In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Naraka Chaturdashi morning is Deepavali itself. In 2026, that's Sunday, 8 November.

Families wake before dawn for the oil bath, often called Ganga snanam, believing the water of every river becomes as sacred as the Ganga that morning. Elders apply oil to the family's heads, everyone bathes before sunrise, wears new clothes, and the day begins with sweets and lamps. In Chennai, aim to finish the bath before about 6:04 AM, local sunrise.

Yam Deep and 14 Diyas on Choti Diwali

On the evening of Choti Diwali, many North Indian families light a four-faced diya of mustard oil outside the main door, facing south, to pray to Yamraj for the family's protection from untimely death. In 2026, that evening is Saturday, 7 November.

Choti Diwali Par Kitne Diye Jalaye?

Many families light 14 diyas on Narak Chaturdashi, one for each of the 14 lokas, or for 14 generations of ancestors in the Bengali Bhoot Chaturdashi tradition. Place them at the entrance, in the corners, near water sources and in the kitchen, along with the four-faced diya facing south for Yamraj.

Drik Panchang places the main Yama Deepam on Dhanteras (Friday, 6 November), and some families light it on both evenings. Follow your family's custom. For the full Yam Deepdaan vidhi and mantra, see our Dhanteras 2026 guide.

Also light small diyas around the home, at the entrance and near water sources on this evening, the first night of Diwali lights.

Safety: keep diyas on metal or clay plates, away from curtains, torans and rangoli powders, and never leave them unattended near children or pets.

Kali Chaudas Protection Remedies and Hanuman Puja

Kali Chaudas 2026 falls on the night of Saturday, 7 November. Families pray to Goddess Kali and Lord Hanuman for protection from negativity, nazar (evil eye) and fear, and keep the home bright and clean before Diwali.

Simple Kali Chaudas Remedies

• Chant Kali's mantra: Recite "Om Kreem Kalikayai Namah" 108 times during the Kali Chaudas muhurat (11:58 PM on 7 November to 12:49 AM on 8 November).

• Light a mustard oil diya at the main door and keep it burning safely through the night.

• Purify the home: Sprinkle Gangajal in every room and burn guggal or loban dhoop, keeping windows open. Natural dhoop cones work well for this.

• Remove nazar: Many families circle a handful of rock salt around a family member's head seven times, then dissolve it in running water.

Hanuman Puja on Choti Diwali

1. Light a ghee or mustard oil diya before Hanuman ji's picture or idol.

2. Offer sindoor mixed with chameli (jasmine) oil, red flowers and boondi or besan laddoo.

3. Recite the Hanuman Chalisa 7 or 11 times, or chant "Om Han Hanumate Namah" 108 times.

4. Pray for courage, health and protection for your family.

For year-round protection, many devotees wear an 11 Mukhi Rudraksha, linked to Lord Hanuman. See which bead suits you in our Rudraksha guide.

Conclusion

In 2026, Narak Chaturdashi gives you two sacred moments back to back: the Choti Diwali and Kali Chaudas night of 7 November for protection, and the pre-dawn Abhyang Snan on 8 November that opens Diwali day itself. Keep both simple, and enter Lakshmi Puja cleansed and calm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Narak Chaturdashi 2026 on 7 or 8 November?
A: In India, the Narak Chaturdashi Abhyang Snan is on the morning of Sunday, 8 November 2026. The Choti Diwali evening and Kali Chaudas night fall on Saturday, 7 November, because Chaturdashi tithi begins at 10:47 AM that day. In the USA and UK, Narak Chaturdashi is on Saturday, 7 November.

Q: When is Choti Diwali 2026?
A: Choti Diwali 2026 is celebrated on the evening of Saturday, 7 November, when Chaturdashi tithi is running, with Diwali Lakshmi Puja the next evening, Sunday, 8 November.

Q: Are Narak Chaturdashi and Kali Chaudas the same?
A: They fall on the same Chaturdashi tithi but are timed differently. Kali Chaudas is fixed by midnight, so it's on the night of 7 November in 2026, while the Narak Chaturdashi bath is fixed by the pre-dawn hours, so it's on the morning of 8 November.

Q: What is Roop Chaudas?
A: Roop Chaudas is the name for Narak Chaturdashi in Rajasthan and parts of North India, focused on beauty and self-care. People apply an ubtan of besan, haldi and sandalwood before the Abhyang Snan.

Q: How many diyas should I light on Choti Diwali?
A: Many families light 14 diyas on Narak Chaturdashi, placed at the entrance, in corners, near water sources and in the kitchen, along with a four-faced diya facing south for Yamraj.

Q: Is Deepavali in South India on Narak Chaturdashi?
A: Yes. In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Deepavali is celebrated on the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi with an oil bath before sunrise. In 2026, that's Sunday, 8 November.