Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 in Houston falls on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Celebrated from morning is 6:39 AM CST.
Krishna, with Satyabhama, slew the demon Narakasura and freed sixteen thousand captive princesses — evil destroyed on the eve of the festival of light. A pre-dawn abhyanga snan (oil bath) today is held equal to bathing in the Ganga, washing away the year’s sins.
Choti Diwali: the first lamps and the first crackers. In Goa, effigies of Narakasura are burned at dawn; in the South, Deepavali’s main oil-bath celebration is this very morning; homes prepare for the great night to follow.
Take the oil bath before sunrise while moonlight lingers — sesame oil and ubtan are traditional. A lamp for Yama (Yama Deepam) is also lit this evening in many homes.