Rows of glowing clay diyas arranged on decorated steps with marigold flowers and rangoli patterns at dusk, marking Choti Diwali celebrations.
Lifestyle & Health
Choti Diwali 2026 today: muhurat, 14 diyas and rituals
Choti Diwali 2026 falls today, Saturday 7 November, with diyas lit in the evening Pradosh Kaal from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM. Here are the muhurat timings, the Yam Deepdaan ritual and the tradition of lighting fourteen diyas around the home.
⚡Key Highlights
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Choti Diwali 2026 falls today, Saturday 7 November, with diyas lit in the evening Pradosh Kaal from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM
Here are the muhurat timings, the Yam Deepdaan ritual and the tradition of lighting fourteen diyas around the home.
Key analysis, background details, and full reporting below.
Choti Diwali falls today, Saturday 7 November 2026, with lamps lit in the evening Pradosh Kaal and the main Diwali festival following tomorrow. Here are the muhurat timings, the Yam Deepdaan ritual and where the traditional 14 diyas go.
By StoryTimesNow News Desk — 07 November 2026, 1:08 PM IST
Diyas light up homes on Choti Diwali, the evening before Diwali. (Illustration: StoryTimesNow)
Key Takeaways
Choti Diwali, also called Narak Chaturdashi, is observed today, 7 November 2026, a day before Diwali.
The evening Pradosh Kaal for lighting diyas runs from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM, when Yam Deepdaan is also performed.
Fourteen diyas are traditionally lit around the home, including one in the south direction for Yama, seeking long life and protection for the family.
Introduction
Choti Diwali is being celebrated across India today, Saturday 7 November 2026, as the second day of the five-day Diwali festival. Also known as Narak Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas and Roop Chaudas, it falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Kartik, one day after Dhanteras and one day before the main Diwali festival on Sunday 8 November.
What Is Choti Diwali?
Choti Diwali, meaning "small Diwali", is the day before the main festival of lights, observed on Chaturdashi, the fourteenth lunar day. In western India it is widely observed as Kali Chaudas, a night associated with the worship of Goddess Kali, while in many households it is also Roop Chaudas, a day of beautifying rituals and the traditional oil bath.
The day's central story is the defeat of Narakasura by Lord Krishna, which is why the festival is also called Narak Chaturdashi. The Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 10:47 AM today and ends at 11:27 AM tomorrow. Because the tithi prevails during the evening Pradosh Kaal today, the lamps, Yam Deepdaan and Kali worship are all observed tonight.
Why Does This Matter?
For the millions of households celebrating Diwali this weekend, Choti Diwali sets the tone for the main festival: the fourteen lamps, the lamp offered to Yama and the early-morning ritual bath tomorrow are each tied to beliefs about protection, health and prosperity for the year ahead. The timing also matters practically. With Diwali itself falling tomorrow, tonight is when most families do the bulk of their lamp-lighting, and knowing the correct Pradosh Kaal window clears up the annual confusion over whether the festival falls on 7 or 8 November: the lamps are lit tonight, the ritual bath falls tomorrow morning.
Important Details
Event
Date and time
Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi)
Saturday, 7 November 2026
Chaturdashi Tithi begins
10:47 AM, 7 November 2026
Chaturdashi Tithi ends
11:27 AM, 8 November 2026
Pradosh Kaal (evening diya lighting)
5:31 PM to 8:09 PM, 7 November
Yam Deepdaan
Evening of 7 November, during Pradosh Kaal
Kali Chaudas puja muhurat
11:39 PM, 7 November to 12:31 AM, 8 November
Abhyang Snan (ritual oil bath)
5:41 AM to 6:38 AM, 8 November
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)
Sunday, 8 November 2026
Timings are based on Drik Panchang for New Delhi and vary by a few minutes in other cities, so readers should confirm with their local panchang.
Background and Context
The festival's best-known tradition is the lighting of fourteen diyas, associated in religious belief with prosperity, positivity and protection from negative energies. They are placed at fourteen spots around the home, each with its own meaning: one at the main entrance to welcome prosperity, one in the puja room before Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi and the family deity, and one in the south direction for Yama Deepdaan, the offering to Yama, the god of death, made to pray for the long life and well-being of family members.
The remaining lamps go in the kitchen, in gratitude to Goddess Annapurna; near the tulsi plant, associated with Goddess Lakshmi; in the courtyard, on the terrace and near windows to spread light through the house; near a water source and the grain store, for abundance; in the study room, as a symbol of knowledge; at the workplace, for professional growth; near a sacred tree such as peepal; and outside the house as part of the Yama Deepdaan tradition. Earthen diyas are traditionally preferred, lit with pure ghee or sesame oil.
What Happens Next?
After tonight's lamps, Diwali arrives tomorrow, Sunday 8 November, with Lakshmi Puja in the evening; Govardhan Puja follows on Tuesday 10 November. Tomorrow morning's Abhyang Snan, between 5:41 AM and 6:38 AM, is the last ritual tied to Choti Diwali itself: devotees who observe it take the oil bath before sunrise.
What Readers Should Know
Keep lamps on stable, safe surfaces and away from curtains, paper, wooden objects and other flammable materials. Do not leave burning diyas unattended, and keep children and pets at a safe distance. For firecrackers, follow local rules and check whether your city restricts them, including limits to green crackers.
FAQs
When is Choti Diwali in 2026?
Saturday 7 November 2026. The evening Pradosh Kaal for lighting diyas runs from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM.
Why are 14 diyas lit on Choti Diwali?
According to religious belief, the fourteen lamps bring prosperity, positivity and protection from negative energies. They are placed at fourteen spots around the home, including the entrance, the puja room and the south direction for Yam Deepdaan.
What is Yam Deepdaan?
Yam Deepdaan is the ritual of lighting a lamp in the south direction on Choti Diwali evening, offered to Yama, to pray for the long life, health and protection of family members.
Sources and Verification
Festival date and timings are based on Drik Panchang as reported by ABP Live, The Daily Jagran and Vedantu on 7 November 2026. The fourteen-diya tradition and Yam Deepdaan details were reported by ABP Live the same day. The trend behind this story, "choti diwali", was among the top trending searches on Google Trends India today.
ABP Live - 14 diyas and Yam Deepdaan - 7 November 2026
The Daily Jagran - Narak Chaturdashi 2026 - 7 November 2026
Vedantu - Choti Diwali 2026 - 7 November 2026
Google Trends India - 7 November 2026, 12:58 PM IST
This article is based on the Hindu Panchang as published by Drik Panchang and reported by ABP Live, The Daily Jagran and Vedantu on 7 November 2026. Muhurat timings are given for New Delhi and can differ in other cities, so readers should confirm with their local panchang or family priest.
