Chhoti Diwali 2026 will witness an unusual calendar alignment, with Naraka Chaturdashi, popularly known as Chhoti Diwali, and Badi Diwali, the main festival of Deepavali, falling on the same date, Sunday, November 8. While the two occasions are traditionally observed on separate days, the timing of the Hindu lunar tithis has brought their celebrations together this year.
According to Drik Panchang, Krishna Chaturdashi will end at approximately 11:27 AM on November 8, after which Amavasya, the new moon tithi, will begin. This allows devotees to observe the traditional Naraka Chaturdashi rituals in the morning and perform Lakshmi Puja during the evening Pradosh period on the same day.
The unusual alignment has raised questions about why Chhoti Diwali and Badi Diwali share a date in 2026 and whether the festival should be observed on November 7 or 8.
Here is everything to know about the date, significance, Panchang timings, Naraka Chaturdashi puja vidhi and traditional rituals associated with Chhoti Diwali.
Chhoti Diwali 2026: Date And Important Tithi Timings
Chhoti Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, will be observed on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
The important dates and tithi timings are:
- Chhoti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi): Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Badi Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Krishna Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: November 7, 10:47 AM
- Krishna Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: November 8, 11:27 AM
- Amavasya Tithi Begins: November 8, 11:27 AM
- Amavasya Tithi Ends: November 9, 12:31 PM
The tithi timings are based on the Drik Panchang calendar. Local sunrise, sunset and auspicious ritual muhurats vary by city.
Why Do Chhoti Diwali And Badi Diwali Fall On The Same Day In 2026?
The Hindu calendar follows lunar tithis rather than fixed Gregorian dates. Unlike a regular calendar day, a tithi can begin or end at any time, depending on the Moon’s position relative to the Sun.
In 2026, Krishna Chaturdashi begins on Saturday, November 7, at 10:47 AM and ends on Sunday, November 8, at 11:27 AM.
The traditional Naraka Chaturdashi Abhyang Snan is associated with the pre-dawn period when Chaturdashi is prevailing. Since the tithi continues into the early morning of November 8, the main morning observance of Chhoti Diwali falls on Sunday.
The Amavasya Tithi begins immediately after Chaturdashi ends on November 8. Since Amavasya remains active during the evening Pradosh Kaal, the main Diwali celebrations and Lakshmi Puja also take place on Sunday.
This is why both festivals are listed on November 8, 2026.
Article source: news18.com
