8 November 2026, Sunday is the reference date for New Delhi. Every timing in this guide is for New Delhi, India (IST, UTC+5:30). It is not an all-India or worldwide timing.
New Delhi reference timing
5:41–6:38 AM IST
This is the Abhyang Snan window. Date and timing reference (checked October 27, 2026).
Why “the day before Diwali” is not enough
Chhoti Diwali is often used as a familiar name for the period before the main celebration. For planning a specific ritual, however, use the named observance and its local date. The New Delhi reference places Naraka Chaturdashi’s morning observance and Lakshmi Puja’s evening celebration on November 8, 2026. Kali Chaudas appears separately on November 7 in that calendar. These names should not be treated as interchangeable instructions.
Prepare the morning the night before
If your family observes Abhyang Snan, keep towels, clean clothing and the bathing items you already use ready in advance. Set a realistic alarm and allow time to move safely before dawn. Follow your household’s established practice; the calendar window is not a requirement to adopt unfamiliar products or an elaborate routine. Plan the bathroom and hot-water arrangements so several family members are not rushing at once.
Keep morning and evening plans separate
The early window quoted here is for the referenced Abhyang Snan observance, not for Lakshmi Puja or shopping. After the morning routine, leave time for rest, food preparation and the evening gathering. Families combining several observances on one date can divide preparation across the previous days instead of making every task urgent on Sunday.
Respect the tradition you actually follow
Different regions emphasise different Diwali observances. Ask elders or the temple you attend which ritual and date they follow, and record that name in your calendar. If you do not practise Abhyang Snan, there is no need to improvise an unfamiliar ceremony merely because a social-media checklist says it is universal. A clear, locally checked plan is more useful than collecting contradictory forwarded times.
Check the Panchang for your location
Open the CosmosPandit web app, select your city and the relevant date, and review the Panchang. Confirm the location before using the displayed information. For a particular family ritual, ask your local temple or priest if the applicable window is unclear. Converting Delhi’s clock time to another time zone does not establish a local puja muhurat.