Why are Narak Chaturdashi and Diwali on the same day? (2026)
In 2026, Narak Chaturdashi (Roop Chaudas) and Diwali both fall on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The reason is the tithi timing: Chaturdashi tithi runs from 7 November, 10:49 am to 8 November, 11:29 am, and then Amavasya runs until 9 November, 12:32 pm. The Narak Chaturdashi bath is taken before sunrise, while Chaturdashi prevails — that is the morning of 8 November 2026. The Diwali Lakshmi Puja is done in Pradosh Kaal (evening), while Amavasya prevails — that is also the evening of 8 November 2026, because Amavasya ends before the next evening. So Narak Chaturdashi in the morning and Diwali in the evening — both on the same date.
When is Diwali · When is Narak Chaturdashi · City-wise Lakshmi Puja muhurat · Narak Chaturdashi Ki Katha · The five days of Diwali
Diwali 2026: what to do on which day
As per the panchang for New Delhi
| November 6, 2026, Friday | Dhanteras Dhanvantari-Kuber puja in the evening, shopping and Yam Deepdaan (a lamp facing south). |
| November 7, 2026, Saturday | Chaturdashi evening (Choti Diwali lamps) Chaturdashi tithi prevails this evening (from 10:49 am). Families who light Choti Diwali lamps in the evening light them on this evening. |
| November 8, 2026, Sunday | Narak Chaturdashi — morning Before sunrise (6:38 am), from Arunodaya (about 5:02 am): sesame-oil massage, ubtan and Abhyanga Snan; Yam Tarpan. |
| November 8, 2026, Sunday | Diwali — evening Lakshmi-Ganesh puja in Pradosh Kaal. In Delhi: 5:55 pm to 7:50 pm. At midnight, Kali Puja in Bengal. |
| November 9, 2026, Monday | Kartik Amavasya (gap day) Amavasya lasts until 12:32 pm — a day for a morning bath and charity. Lakshmi Puja is not done this evening because Amavasya ends before evening. |
| November 10, 2026, Tuesday | Govardhan Puja / Annakut Govardhan Puja and the Annakut bhog in Pratipada tithi. |
| November 11, 2026, Wednesday | Bhai Dooj Sisters put a tilak on their brothers. |
| Chaturdashi tithi | November 7, 10:49 am to November 8, 11:29 am |
|---|---|
| Amavasya tithi | November 8, 11:29 am to November 9, 12:32 pm |
| Sunrise, 8 November 2026 | 6:38 am (the Narak Chaturdashi bath is taken before this) |
| Sunset, 8 November 2026 | 5:31 pm (Lakshmi Puja in Pradosh Kaal after this) |
Rule: Narak Chaturdashi = Chaturdashi tithi before sunrise; Diwali = Amavasya tithi in Pradosh Kaal. The tithi time in your city may differ by a few minutes, but the date stays the same across India.
In which years do both fall on the same day?
Worked out from the New Delhi panchang
| Year | Narak Chaturdashi | Diwali | Same day? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24 October 2022 | 24 October 2022 | Yes, on the same day |
| 2023 | 12 November 2023 | 12 November 2023 | Yes, on the same day |
| 2024 | 31 October 2024 | 31 October 2024 | Yes, on the same day |
| 2025 | 20 October 2025 | 20 October 2025 | Yes, on the same day |
| 2026 | 8 November 2026 | 8 November 2026 | Yes, on the same day |
| 2027 | 28 October 2027 | 29 October 2027 | Different days |
| 2028 | 17 October 2028 | 17 October 2028 | Yes, on the same day |
| 2029 | 5 November 2029 | 5 November 2029 | Yes, on the same day |
Frequently asked questions
Why are Narak Chaturdashi and Diwali on the same day in 2026?
In 2026, Narak Chaturdashi (Roop Chaudas) and Diwali both fall on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The reason is the tithi timing: Chaturdashi tithi runs from 7 November, 10:49 am to 8 November, 11:29 am, and then Amavasya runs until 9 November, 12:32 pm. The Narak Chaturdashi bath is taken before sunrise, while Chaturdashi prevails — that is the morning of 8 November 2026. The Diwali Lakshmi Puja is done in Pradosh Kaal (evening), while Amavasya prevails — that is also the evening of 8 November 2026, because Amavasya ends before the next evening. So Narak Chaturdashi in the morning and Diwali in the evening — both on the same date.
When is Choti Diwali in 2026?
The Narak Chaturdashi (Roop Chaudas) bath is on the morning of Sunday, 8 November 2026, and the main Diwali is the same evening. Those who light lamps on the evening of Choti Diwali light them on the evening of 7 November 2026, because Chaturdashi tithi prevails that evening.
How are the dates of Narak Chaturdashi and Diwali decided?
Narak Chaturdashi is observed on the day when Chaturdashi tithi prevails before sunrise (at Arunodaya), because its main ritual is the morning Abhyanga Snan. Diwali is celebrated on the day when Amavasya tithi prevails during Pradosh Kaal (about two and a half hours after sunset). When Chaturdashi ends in the morning and Amavasya begins by afternoon, both fall on the same date.
Can Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja both be done on the same day?
Yes. Take the Abhyanga Snan and do Yam Tarpan before sunrise, clean and decorate the house during the day, and do the Lakshmi-Ganesh puja in the evening muhurat. The timings are different, so there is no clash.
Is this happening for the first time?
No. As per the New Delhi panchang, both were or will be on the same day in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028 and 2029 too. It happens because tithis get shorter and longer — it is not a rare coincidence.
Why is Govardhan Puja not on the day after Diwali?
Because on the morning after 8 November 2026, Amavasya still prevails (until 12:32 pm). Govardhan Puja is done in Pratipada tithi, so it falls on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. The day in between is Kartik Amavasya (bath and charity).
Why are Narak Chaturdashi and Diwali on the same day in 2026?
In 2026 Chaturdashi tithi prevails before sunrise on 08 November (Abhyanga Snan in the morning) and Amavasya prevails during Pradosh that same evening (Lakshmi Puja), so both fall on 08 November 2026.