Diwali 2026 Muhurat trading takes place on Sunday, 8 November 2026, on the day of Lakshmi Puja. NSE and BSE open a special session from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST, as set out in exchange circulars released on 19 October 2026. The tradition marks the start of Samvat 2083. This guide covers the timings, the puja window, and a simple way to prepare before the session opens.
What time does Diwali 2026 Muhurat trading start and end?
The NSE and BSE equity segments run Muhurat trading from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Both exchanges use identical timings for the equity segment. MCX also holds a special session that day, but it will announce its timings separately. Confirm the exchange circular before you log in, because schedules can change.
The session is short, so every minute counts. Many traders treat it as a symbolic opening of the new Samvat 2083 year, which adds emotional weight to a brief window. A clear checklist keeps attention on process rather than pressure.
| Day | Date | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Friday, 6 November | Dhanteras |
| Day 2 | Saturday, 7 November | Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) |
| Day 3 | Sunday, 8 November | Diwali and Lakshmi Puja, with Muhurat trading |
| Day 4 | Tuesday, 10 November | Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada |
What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Delhi in 2026?
Lakshmi Puja muhurat varies by city. For New Delhi, one panchang source gives 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM on Sunday, 8 November, while another lists the Pradosh Kaal window as 5:47 PM to 7:13 PM. Because the figures differ, confirm your city timing from a trusted panchang on the day. Treat both windows as planning references until you verify locally. Panchang publishers update their tables every year, so check the current edition before you plan.
Puja timing and market timing are separate matters. The Lakshmi Puja muhurat usually falls in the evening, while the market session runs in the afternoon. Put both windows in your calendar so neither clashes with the other.
| Source | New Delhi window | Label used |
|---|---|---|
| Drik Panchang (via HinduTone) | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM | Lakshmi Puja muhurat |
| DekhoPanchang | 5:47 PM to 7:13 PM | Pradosh Kaal |
| HinduGuidance | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM | Lakshmi Puja muhurat, approximate |
How should you prepare for Muhurat trading in 2026?
Prepare by setting your funds, margin and rules before 8 November. Confirm that your broker session is active, because some brokers need a fresh daily sign-in. Load your strategy, run a backtest, and paper trade it before the session opens. Keep the rules fixed during the window, and avoid adding positions once your daily limit is reached.
The how the platform works page explains sign-in, paper trading and deployment, so you can rehearse the full flow before the session. Build your checklist from the table below.
If you cannot confirm a local puja timing in advance, plan around the broader evening window and keep the trading session separate in your calendar. Mistakes often happen when families and traders share one calendar entry for both events.
| Task | Deadline | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm session timing | Friday, 6 November | Circulars can change |
| Backtest and paper trade rules | Before Sunday | Shows how the logic behaves |
| Set funds and margin | Before 2:20 PM on 8 November | Trades settle like a regular day |
| Check broker sign-in | Sunday morning | Some brokers need a daily login |
Is Muhurat trading the same as a regular session?
Muhurat trading is a single, fixed window rather than a full trading day. NSE has confirmed that trades executed in the session carry settlement obligations, just like those on a regular day. Liquidity and price movement can differ from a normal session, because the window is short and participation patterns often shift on special sessions.
Treat the window as a real session with real obligations, not as a symbolic trade. Keep your plan short and explicit, so you can follow it under time pressure.
Check the order type settings your broker and strategy use before 2:20 PM, so a fast price move does not catch you unprepared. Confirm your funds cover the planned position size, including the margin your broker blocks.
What does a Diwali plan cost on Algo Tradex Mind?
Algo Tradex Mind offers a Diwali 2026 discount of 50% for a limited time on subscriptions. The Basic plan is listed at ₹1,299 and becomes ₹649 per month, the Limited plan moves from ₹1,999 to ₹999, and the Unlimited plan moves from ₹2,999 to ₹1,499. Free paper trading lets you test before you pay. Visit the pricing page for current details.
A smaller plan can suit a beginner who tests a few rules, while a larger plan suits someone already running several strategies. Compare the limits with your real plan for the next month, not with the biggest number on the page.
| Plan | Original price | Diwali price | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₹649 per month | 30 strategies, 60 backtests, 3 live deployments | |
| Limited | ₹999 per month | 60 strategies, 100 backtests, 5 live deployments | |
| Unlimited | ₹1,499 per month | 150 strategies, 250 backtests, 12 live deployments |
Disclaimer: Algo Tradex Mind is a SaaS software platform, not a SEBI-registered investment adviser, and it does not provide pre-built trading strategies. Trading involves risk, and you can lose part or all of your capital. Backtests and paper results do not guarantee live performance.
Frequently asked questions
Will the stock market be open on Diwali day?
Yes, but only for a special session. The regular market is closed on Diwali day, while NSE and BSE hold a Muhurat window on Sunday, 8 November, from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM IST. Exchange circulars from 19 October 2026 confirm these timings. Check your broker status first.
Can a beginner join the Muhurat session?
Yes, a beginner can join if the broker account is open and funded. The session is short, so a beginner should rely on a tested rule set rather than instinct. Start with fewer legs or smaller quantities and keep a daily loss limit in place. Trading involves risk.
What happens to open positions when I stop a strategy?
When you stop a deployed strategy, open positions close at market. The engine runs on the platform's servers, so your laptop can stay off. You can stop a strategy from your phone. Plan your exit rules before the session begins.
Does the platform need a broker before paper trading?
No. You can build, backtest and paper trade before you connect a broker. Paper trading uses a simulated ₹10 lakh book that follows real lot sizes and margin rules. Connect a broker only when you are ready for live orders, because those orders then go to your broker account.
What should you do before the Sunday session?
Treat Diwali 2026 Muhurat trading as a live session with real settlement, not a rehearsal. Confirm the timing from the circular, check your broker sign-in by Sunday morning, and run your rules on paper before 2:20 PM. Keep your loss limit fixed, and step away from the screen if the plan starts to change under pressure. A calm, written plan usually beats a rushed decision made in the final minutes.