About Naraka Chaturdashi
Naraka Chaturdashi falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, the day before Amavasya in the Diwali season. It recalls the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna together with Satyabhama, which freed many captives and brought relief to the people. The day is a celebration of light overcoming darkness and of a fresh, clean start.
Across North India it is widely called Choti Diwali, a day of lighting lamps and preparing for Lakshmi Puja. In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, this is the main Deepavali day. Families rise before dawn for an oil bath, often called Ganga snanam, as a way of wishing one another a holy and refreshing start, then wear new clothes, share sweets and burst crackers. In Goa, large effigies of Narakasura are made by neighbourhoods and burned before daybreak. In Maharashtra, people take the Abhyanga snan with fragrant oil and ubtan before sunrise, while in Gujarat the day is observed as Kali Chaudas, dedicated to Goddess Kali. Many households also light a lamp in honour of Yama on this evening.
How it is observed
- Taking an early oil bath, the Abhyanga snan or Ganga snanam
- Wearing new clothes and greeting elders
- Lighting diyas around the home in the evening
- Sharing sweets and festive snacks with family and neighbours
- Watching Narakasura effigies in Goa or joining local customs
Naraka Chaturdashi dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Thursday, 31 October 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Monday, 20 October 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Next |
| 2027 | Thursday, 28 October 2027 | Upcoming |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 17 October 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Monday, 5 November 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Friday, 25 October 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated widely in: Tamil Nadu Karnataka Kerala Andhra Pradesh Telangana Maharashtra
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Deepavali
In much of the South this is the main Deepavali day, beginning with an oil bath before dawn (Ganga snanam), new clothes, sweets and crackers.
Goa
Narakasura Vadh
Huge effigies of the demon Narakasura are made by neighbourhoods and burnt before dawn.
Maharashtra
Narak Chaturdashi
Families take an abhyanga snan with ubtan before dawn and crush a bitter karit fruit to symbolise the defeat of Narakasura.
North India, Rajasthan
Choti Diwali, Roop Chaudas
Homes light the first lamps, and many people take a beauty bath with ubtan, known as Roop Chaudas.
Gujarat
Kali Chaudas
Gujarat worships Mahakali and Hanuman at night on Kali Chaudas, to ward off negative forces.
Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
West Bengal
Bhoot Chaturdashi
Bengalis light 14 lamps and eat 14 kinds of greens (choddo shaak) to honour ancestors, on the eve of Kali Puja.
Customs differ a great deal by region, so this one day can be Choti Diwali, Deepavali or Kali Chaudas depending on where you are.
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