Muhurat Trading 2026: Date, Expected Time and What the One-Hour Diwali Session Means

What is muhurat trading?

A muhurat is an auspicious time. Many trading families, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra, treat Diwali as the start of a new financial year. They close old account books and open new ones, called chopda pujan, and make a token first trade for good luck.

The Bombay Stock Exchange formalised the tradition decades ago, and NSE followed. Today the session is a full, if short, market: trades are real, prices are real and settlement is normal.

When has the session been held in recent years?

The timing changes every year to match the Lakshmi Puja muhurat:

• 2023: 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
• 2024: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• 2025: 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm, the first afternoon session in years

In 2026, Lakshmi Puja on November 8 falls in the evening in most cities, so an evening slot is likely. But that is only a guess. Wait for the official circular before planning trades.

What happens during the session?

The session usually follows the normal market's structure, compressed into about an hour:

• a block deal window
• a pre-open session of about 15 minutes, where opening prices are discovered
• normal trading for about an hour
• a closing session

Equity, derivatives, currency and commodity segments typically take part. Trades made during the session settle in the normal way. Intraday positions are squared off at the end of the session, just like any other day.

Does muhurat trading make money?

Volumes are thin and the session is short. In many years the main indices have closed slightly higher, partly because buyers outnumber sellers on a festive day. But "the market usually rises" is not a strategy:

• Thin trading can mean wider gaps between buy and sell prices, especially in small stocks.
• One hour is too short to judge anything about the year ahead.
• Many investors buy only a token quantity of a stock they already planned to hold.

A sensible way to take part

1. Decide in advance. Pick one or two quality stocks or a mutual fund you already wanted, and place orders calmly.
2. Use limit orders. In a thin market, a market order can fill at an unexpected price.
3. Avoid leverage. Intraday and F&O trades during a short, low-volume session are risky.
4. Keep it symbolic. Many families invest a small, auspicious amount, such as ₹1,101 or ₹5,001, rather than a large sum.
5. Check your broker's notice. Brokers announce their own cut-off times for orders and fund transfers.

Why Samvat matters

Vikram Samvat is a Hindu calendar that runs about 57 years ahead of the Gregorian one. Samvat 2082 began with Diwali 2025, so the 2026 session ushers in Samvat 2083. Market commentators often compare index returns "Samvat to Samvat", from one Diwali to the next, which is why you will see stock picks for "Samvat 2083" in the coming weeks. Treat them like any other tip: as opinions, not guarantees.

This article is for information only and is not investment advice. We will add the official session timings when the exchanges announce them.

Common questions

Do I need to do anything special to trade? No. If you have a demat and trading account, you can place orders through your usual broker app during the session.

Can I buy mutual funds during muhurat trading? Mutual fund purchases are processed at the day's NAV, and November 8 is a Sunday. Units bought online that day are normally allotted at the next business day's NAV. Check your fund platform's cut-off rules.

Can I sell shares I bought during the session the next day? Yes. Delivery trades settle normally, so the shares reach your demat account on schedule. Monday, November 9 is a regular trading day.

Related reading

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• Dhanteras 2026 Gold Buying Guide
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