Choti Diwali Puja Time 2026: Exact Muhurat for Yam Deepdan, Abhyang Snan & The Rituals Your Family Should Not Miss
Diwali is never just one day. It is a whole feeling—the smell of mustard oil heating in the kitchen, the sound of diyas being scrubbed clean on the terrace, the last-minute rush to find the perfect four-mouthed clay lamp for Yamraj. And right in the middle of all this beautiful chaos sits Choti Diwali, or Narak Chaturdashi.
But here is the thing about Choti Diwali 2026: the date and the puja timing are not as simple as circling a day on the calendar. This year, there is a genuine confusion that has even seasoned pandits double-checking their panchang. The Chaturdashi tithi stretches across two dates. The Yam Deepdan happens on one evening. The Abhyang Snan—that sacred oil bath—happens the next morning. And if you are a householder trying to figure out exactly when to light the lamp for Yamraj, you are not alone.
This guide is written for you—the daughter helping her mother prepare the ubtan, the son who has been tasked with buying the right oil, the young couple setting up their first Diwali at home. We are going to walk through the Choti Diwali puja time for 2026 with the kind of clarity that lets you stop worrying about the clock and actually feel the festival.
The Real Story Behind the Date Confusion (And Why It Matters for Your Puja)
Let us clear the air first. If you have been arguing with your neighbor about whether Choti Diwali is on November 7 or November 8, you are both partly right.
According to the panchang, the Chaturdashi tithi begins on November 7, 2026, at approximately 10:47 AM and ends on November 8 at around 11:27 AM . This overlap creates a split in how the rituals are observed.
Here is the practical breakdown that actually matters for your home:
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November 7 (Saturday) Evening: This is when the Pradosh Kaal falls while Chaturdashi is still prevailing. This makes November 7 the correct evening for Yam Deepdan, Kali Chaudas worship, and the lighting of the lamp for Yamraj .
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November 8 (Sunday) Early Morning: This is when the Abhyang Snan—the ritual oil bath before sunrise—is performed. The shubh muhurat in Delhi, for instance, is from 5:41 AM to 6:38 AM .
So when someone asks you, “Choti Diwali kab hai?” you can smile and say, “The celebration spans both days—the deepdan on Saturday evening, the snan on Sunday morning.” That is the kind of answer that makes you sound like the family expert.
Choti Diwali Puja Time 2026: The Exact Muhurats You Need
Let us get to the numbers. Keep this section handy—screenshot it, forward it to the family group, stick it on the fridge if you have to.
Yam Deepdan Muhurat (The Evening Lamp for Yamraj)
This is the heart of Choti Diwali for most North Indian households. The lamp is not for decoration. It is a prayer for protection—a request to the lord of death to keep unforeseen sorrow away from the family for another year.
For November 7, 2026, the Pradosh Kaal (the auspicious window after sunset) is the time to act. Different panchangs give slightly varying windows, but the consensus for Delhi and most of North India is:
Yam Deepdan Muhurat: Approximately 5:32 PM to 7:56 PM (Pradosh Kaal)
Some sources cite the window as 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM . The safest approach? Aim to light the Yam diya between 5:45 PM and 6:30 PM—right after the sun has fully set but before the evening meal chaos begins. This is a quiet, sacred moment. Do not rush it.
Abhyang Snan Muhurat (The Pre-Dawn Oil Bath)
This is the ritual that gives Choti Diwali its “Roop Chaudas” name—the day for beauty, radiance, and renewal. The bath happens on the morning of November 8, 2026, before the sun rises, while Chaturdashi tithi is still active.
Delhi: 5:41 AM to 6:38 AM
Mumbai: 5:45 AM to 6:42 AM
Kolkata: Approximately 4:45 AM to 5:44 AM
The window is roughly one hour. Set your alarm. Yes, it is early. Yes, it is worth it. The tradition holds that this bath, done with sesame oil and a homemade ubtan, washes away not just physical impurities but a year’s worth of accumulated negativity .
Kali Chaudas Puja (For Those Who Worship the Fierce Mother)
In Bengal and many Shakta traditions, Kali Puja is the main event of this night. The Nishita Kaal—the midnight hour—is considered especially potent.
Kali Chaudas Puja Muhurat: 11:39 PM (Nov 7) to 12:31 AM (Nov 8)
If your family tradition includes Ma Kali worship, this is your window. The stillness of the night, the single lamp, the raw emotion of the prayer—it is unlike any other ritual in the Hindu calendar.
How to Do Yam Deepdan: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide for the Modern Home
The scriptures describe elaborate procedures, but let us be honest—most of us are managing work calls, children, and last-minute sweet box deliveries on this day. Here is a version that is authentic but doable.
What You Need
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A clay diya with four mouths (chaumukha diya). If you cannot find one, a regular diya works, but the four-mouthed one is traditional for Yamraj .
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Mustard oil (sarso ka tel) or sesame oil. Mustard oil is the preferred choice in most households.
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Four cotton wicks.
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A matchstick or a small candle to light the wick.
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A small offering—some raw rice, a few coins, or a simple flower.
The Ritual
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Wait for the right time. As the sun sets on November 7, let the household settle. The Pradosh Kaal begins around 5:30 PM. This is your window.
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Face south. Take the diya outside your main door. The southern direction is associated with Yamraj. If you live in an apartment, step out into the corridor or balcony—any open space facing south will do .
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Light the four wicks. As you do, hold a simple intention in your heart: “May Yamraj protect this family from untimely loss. May our elders live long, and may our children be safe.”
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Place it on the ground. Do not hold it. Let it sit on the earth or a small plate. The flame should face outward, away from the home.
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Offer your prayers. You do not need a long Sanskrit shloka. A simple “Om Yamrajaya Namah” repeated three times, or even a silent conversation with the divine, is enough. The tradition is about sincerity, not verbosity.
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Leave it to burn out naturally. Do not blow it out. Let the oil finish. In many homes, the family sits nearby for a few minutes, enjoying the quiet before the noise of the festival takes over.
A gentle note: If you have pets or small children, keep an eye on the diya. Safety and devotion go hand in hand.
The Fourteen Lamps: What They Mean and Where They Go
You may have heard your grandmother mention “chaudah diye”—fourteen lamps. This is one of the most beautiful and least understood traditions of Choti Diwali.
The number fourteen is tied to the fourteen generations of ancestors in some traditions, particularly in Bengal where the night is observed as Bhoot Chaturdashi . The belief is that the lights guide and honor the departed souls of the family, ensuring they are remembered and at peace.
Where to Place the 14 Lamps
You do not need a palace. A modest home can accommodate all fourteen with a little creativity. Traditional spots include:
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The main entrance (both sides, so two lamps)
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The tulsi plant in the courtyard
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The kitchen—near the grain storage or the stove
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The puja room or altar
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The courtyard or balcony
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The window facing the street
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The back door
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The staircase (one at the base, one at the top)
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The storage room or pantry
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The bathroom door (yes, even this—dark corners are lit)
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The roof or terrace
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A dark corner of the house that rarely gets sunlight
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Near the water storage tank or well
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The room where elders sleep
The idea is simple: no corner is left in darkness. The light reaches everywhere, just as the family’s prayers reach every generation.
The Ubtan Ritual: More Than Just a Beauty Treatment
Let us talk about the ubtan. On the morning of November 8, before the sun peeks over the horizon, families across India will be mixing besan, turmeric, sandalwood, and a few drops of sesame oil. The paste is applied to the skin, left for a few minutes, and then washed off in the ritual Abhyang Snan.
But this is not a spa day. The ubtan is a prayer in physical form.
Why Sesame Oil?
Sesame (til) oil is considered sacred in Hindu tradition. It is associated with Lord Vishnu and is believed to have cooling, purifying properties. The Drik Panchang explicitly notes that til oil should be used for the ubtan during Abhyang Snan . The oil is not just for the skin—it is a symbolic anointing, a way of preparing the body as a temple before the main Diwali celebrations.
A Simple Ubtan Recipe for Modern Homes
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2 tablespoons besan (gram flour)
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A pinch of turmeric
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A few drops of sandalwood powder (optional, but lovely)
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
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Enough raw milk or rose water to make a smooth paste
Mix it fresh. Apply it on the face, arms, and legs. Let it sit for five minutes while you mentally set your intention for the day. Rinse off with warm water. The skin feels soft, but more importantly, the mind feels clear.
A word of caution: Turmeric stains. Use an old towel. Your favorite white kurta can wait for another day.
Choti Diwali Puja at Home: A Simple Altar Setup
If you want to do a formal puja on the evening of November 7, here is a minimal but meaningful setup.
What to Place on the Altar
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A picture or idol of Lord Krishna (Narakasura’s slayer) or Goddess Kali, depending on your family tradition .
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A small diya for the main deity.
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The Yam diya—the four-mouthed one—separate from the main altar, to be taken outside.
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Flowers—marigolds are perfect and seasonal.
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Sweets—something simple. A few pieces of kaju katli or even a banana.
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Roli and chawal for tilak.
A Short Puja Sequence
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Light the main diya on the altar.
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Offer water (a small spoonful is fine).
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Apply tilak to the deity’s image.
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Offer flowers.
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Light incense (agarbatti).
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Recite a simple prayer. If you know the Narakasura story, tell it to the children in the family. It takes two minutes and plants a seed of understanding.
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Offer the sweets. After the puja, distribute them as prasad.
There is no need for a long hawan or a pandit unless your family tradition specifically requires one. The essence of Choti Diwali is the lamp, the intention, and the family gathered together—even if only for ten minutes.
The Story of Narakasura: Why We Light the Lamp
Every ritual has a story. For Choti Diwali, the story is one of courage, liberation, and the triumph of light over darkness.
Narakasura was a demon king who had become invincible through a boon. He terrorized the three worlds, captured thousands of women, and stole the earrings of Aditi, the mother of the gods. The gods, desperate, turned to Lord Krishna.
Krishna, with his wife Satyabhama, rode into battle on Garuda. The fight was fierce, but Narakasura had a boon that only a woman could kill him. Satyabhama—an incarnation of Bhudevi, the earth goddess—took up the bow and struck the fatal blow. Narakasura fell. Before dying, he asked for a boon: that his death be celebrated with light and joy, not mourning.
And so, on Choti Diwali, we light lamps. We celebrate the end of tyranny. We honor the women Narakasura had imprisoned, who were freed by Krishna and treated with dignity. And we remember that even the darkest forces can be overcome .
When you light the Yam diya this year, you are not just performing a ritual. You are participating in a story that is thousands of years old—a story about protection, justice, and the stubborn hope that good will prevail.
Frequently Asked Questions (Because We Know You Are Googling This at 11 PM)
Q: Is Choti Diwali on November 7 or 8 in 2026?
A: Both. The Yam Deepdan and Kali Puja are observed on the evening of November 7. The Abhyang Snan is performed on the morning of November 8 .
Q: Can I do Yam Deepdan at home if I do not have a four-mouthed diya?
A: Yes. A regular clay diya with mustard oil and a single wick is perfectly acceptable. The four mouths are traditional, not mandatory. Sincerity matters more than the shape of the clay.
Q: What if I miss the exact muhurat?
A: The Pradosh Kaal is a window, not a split second. If you light the lamp at 7 PM instead of 6 PM, you are still within the auspicious period. Do not stress. The divine does not check the clock.
Q: Do I need to fast on Choti Diwali?
A: Many families observe a partial fast or eat only vegetarian food. It is not mandatory for everyone. If you are elderly, pregnant, or unwell, skip the fast. The rituals are meant to uplift, not exhaust.
Q: What is the difference between Choti Diwali and Kali Chaudas?
A: They often fall on the same tithi but are distinct in focus. Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) is about Krishna’s victory and the Yam deepdan. Kali Chaudas is specifically for Goddess Kali worship, particularly in Bengal and eastern India .
A Final Thought: The Lamp Is Not the Ritual. You Are.
It is easy to get lost in the details—the exact minute, the right oil, the number of wicks. And yes, this guide has given you all of those details because you asked for them, and because precision has its own beauty.
But here is what the elders will not always say out loud: the Choti Diwali puja time is not a deadline. It is an invitation.
The lamp you light for Yamraj is a conversation with mortality. The ubtan you apply is a touch of self-care in a life that rarely pauses. The fourteen diyas are a way of saying to the dark corners of your home, “I see you. I am not afraid of you.”
So on November 7, as the sun sets and the Pradosh Kaal begins, take a moment. Hold the diya in your hand before you light it. Think of the year that has passed. Think of the people you have lost and the people you are grateful for. Then light the wick, place the lamp on the ground facing south, and let it burn.
