Once a year, Dalal Street opens on a holiday evening for about an hour. Traders light diyas, families buy a few “shagun” shares, and the market welcomes the new Hindu financial year. This is Muhurat Trading. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 8 November.
Here is everything you need to know about Muhurat Trading 2026: the date, the timing, how it works, and how to take part without getting carried away.
📅 Muhurat Trading 2026: Date and Timing
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Occasion | Diwali (Lakshmi Pujan) |
| Date | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
| New Samvat | Samvat 2083 begins |
| Session length | Usually about 1 hour, plus a short pre-open |
| Exact timing | To be announced by NSE/BSE through a circular closer to Diwali |
| Segments | Usually equity, F&O, currency and commodity |
🕐 Timing Update
🪔 10 Things Every Investor Should Know About Muhurat Trading
- It's a symbolic, auspicious session. “Muhurat” means an auspicious time. Many investors believe that buying at this time brings prosperity for the year.
- It marks the start of a new Samvat. Traditional traders start new account books (chopda pujan) on Diwali. Samvat 2083 begins with this session.
- The tradition is decades old. BSE has held Muhurat sessions since the 1950s, and NSE joined after it began operations in the 1990s.
- All trades are real. These are not mock trades. Every buy or sell settles normally, just like any other trading day.
- Intraday positions are squared off. If you trade intraday, your broker will square off open positions at the end of the session, as on any normal day.
- Volumes are usually thin. Many big institutions only take part symbolically, so liquidity can be lower and prices can jump around.
- The market has usually closed green. In most past sessions the Nifty and Sensex ended higher, helped by festive mood. This is a tendency, not a guarantee.
- “Shagun” buying is popular. Many families buy a small quantity of a trusted blue-chip stock or ETF as a token investment.
- Don't over-trade. One hour of trading won't decide your year. Avoid F&O bets and tips from WhatsApp groups.
- Check for holidays around Diwali. Some reports say 10 November (Balipratipada) is also a market holiday. Confirm on the NSE holiday list.
💡 Smart Ways to Use Muhurat Trading 2026
This year's Muhurat session comes after a tough period. The Nifty fell about 6% in September 2026 and is down about 13% for the year. For long-term investors, a festive session in a corrected market can be a good, calm moment to:
- Start or top up a Nifty 50 index fund or ETF, a simple way to buy the whole market.
- Add a little to quality companies you already understand and have researched.
- Begin a monthly SIP. The habit matters more than the exact day you start.
- Review your portfolio: drop what no longer fits your goals and rebalance between equity, debt and gold.
🙅 What to Avoid
- Buying penny stocks or “Diwali picks” from unknown sources.
- Leveraged F&O trades during a thin, volatile session.
- Investing money you will need in the next 1–2 years.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Muhurat Trading 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November, and marks the start of Samvat 2083.
- The exact timing will be announced by NSE/BSE. It is usually a one-hour session.
- All trades are real and settle normally.
- Use it for symbolic, long-term buying, not speculation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the date of Muhurat Trading 2026?
Sunday, 8 November 2026, on Diwali (Lakshmi Pujan).
What is the Muhurat Trading timing in 2026?
NSE and BSE have not announced it yet. They release it through a circular a few weeks before Diwali. It is usually a one-hour session.
Are Muhurat Trading trades settled?
Yes. All trades during the session are real and settle like any normal trading day.
Is Muhurat Trading good for beginners?
It's a nice symbolic start, but beginners should stick to small, long-term purchases such as index funds or blue-chip stocks and avoid intraday or F&O trades.
Does the market always rise on Muhurat day?
No. It has closed higher in most past sessions, but there is no guarantee. One hour of trading says little about how the year will go.