Festival · Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi
Narak Chaturdashi 2026
The first real morning of Diwali: lamps in the dark, the oil bath and utane, then the faral.
Date, tithi and timing
Times are for Mumbai. The app gives times for your city.
Date by city
The date differs in these cities; it is the same in the others.
Next year, 2027
Quick facts
- Also known asChoti Diwali, Roop Chaturdashi
- WhereMaharashtra and all of India
- Puja forKrishna and the gods
- In one lineThe day of the abhyang snan before sunrise, and the day Krishna defeated Narakasura.
Narak Chaturdashi, in a little more detail
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About the festival
Narak Chaturdashi is the first real morning of Diwali, on Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi. It marks Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura, light winning over darkness. And it's the day you get up before sunrise for the abhyang snan, which is when Diwali properly begins.
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Abhyang snan
Get up before sunrise. Massage sesame oil all over, then apply utane and bathe in hot water. Put on new clothes and bow to the gods.
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Traditions in Maharashtra
Lamps and fireworks in the dark of early morning. Everyone sits down to the faral together, and then the elders do the aukshan for the younger ones. Chakli, ladoo, shankarpali and karanji are on every table these days.
- Chakli
- Ladoo
- Shankarpali
- Karanji
How to do the pujaAbout 45 minutes
In short: Wake early, oil and utane, bath, new clothes, a lamp, faral, then the aukshan.
- 1Wake up before sunrise.Set an alarm; the early hour is the point.
- 2Take the abhyang snan with oil and utane.Warm the oil a little and apply it, then the utane.
- 3Put on new or clean clothes.Put on new clothes and touch the elders' feet.
- 4Light a lamp before the gods and bow.Light a lamp before the gods.
- 5Have the faral.Sit down together for the faral.
- 6Do the aukshan for your family.Do the aukshan for the little ones first.
What you needTick as you go
0 of 7 ready
Frequently asked questions
When is Narak Chaturdashi?
Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi. The date above is for your city.
What is the time for the abhyang snan?
Early morning before sunrise. The window above is for your city.
Is it the same as Choti Diwali?
Yes, same day, other name.
The six days of Diwali
Dates for Mumbai
Set a reminder in the app
The app sends a notice the day before and on the day, even offline.