Diwali 2026 Date: When Is Diwali? Check Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Significance and 5-Day Festival Calendar

Diwali 2026, also known as Deepavali, will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, marking the main day of the five-day festival of lights. Observed on Kartik Amavasya, Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals, symbolising the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The main celebrations revolve around Lakshmi Puja, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, along with the worship of Lord Ganesha for wisdom and auspicious beginnings.

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, with families cleaning and decorating their homes, lighting diyas, creating colourful rangolis, exchanging sweets and gifts, and offering prayers for happiness, prosperity and good fortune. While Diwali is the main day of the celebrations, the festivities begin with Dhanteras and continue through Naraka Chaturdashi, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj.

Also Read: November 2026 Hindu Festival Calendar: Diwali, Chhath Puja, Dev Diwali and Other Important Dates

Diwali 2026 Date and Time: When Is Lakshmi Puja?

Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The main Lakshmi Puja is traditionally performed during the evening Pradosh Kaal, considered an auspicious period for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi.

According to the New Delhi Panchang, the Amavasya Tithi will begin at 11:27 AM on November 8 and end at 12:31 PM on November 9. Devotees generally perform Lakshmi Puja during the evening on Diwali, while the Amavasya Tithi is prevailing.

Diwali 2026: Important Dates and Timings

• Diwali date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
• Lakshmi Puja muhurat: 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM
• Pradosh Kaal: 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM
• Vrishabha Kaal: 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM
• Amavasya Tithi begins: 11:27 AM on November 8
• Amavasya Tithi ends: 12:31 PM on November 9

Note: The above timings are for New Delhi. Lakshmi Puja muhurat varies by city, so devotees should check their local Panchang before performing the rituals.

Also Read: November 2026 Kartik Purnima and Kartik Amavasya Dates: Tithi Timings, Rituals and Significance

Diwali 2026: Lakshmi Puja Muhurat in Major Cities

The auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja differs across India because of variations in local sunrise and sunset timings. Here are the evening puja timings for selected cities.

City	Lakshmi Puja Muhurat
New Delhi	5:54 PM to 7:50 PM
Noida	5:54 PM to 7:49 PM
Mumbai	6:27 PM to 8:27 PM
Bengaluru	6:17 PM to 8:20 PM
Kolkata	5:20 PM to 7:18 PM
Chennai	6:07 PM to 8:09 PM
Hyderabad	6:07 PM to 8:08 PM
Jaipur	6:03 PM to 7:59 PM
Ahmedabad	6:22 PM to 8:20 PM
Chandigarh	5:52 PM to 7:46 PM

These timings are intended as a general guide for planning the evening worship. Devotees should confirm the applicable muhurat for their location and family tradition.

Diwali 2026: All 5 Days of the Festival

Diwali is traditionally celebrated over five major observances, each carrying its own religious significance, customs and rituals. The festival begins with Dhanteras and concludes with Bhai Dooj, celebrating prosperity, spiritual renewal, family bonds and the relationship between brothers and sisters.

Day	Festival	Date in 2026
Day 1	Dhanteras	Friday, November 6
Day 2	Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali)	Saturday, November 7
Day 3	Diwali and Lakshmi Puja	Sunday, November 8
Day 4	Govardhan Puja	Tuesday, November 10
Day 5	Bhai Dooj	Wednesday, November 11

The exact observance of some festivals may vary by region and Panchang. In particular, Naraka Chaturdashi rituals may coincide with the main Diwali date in certain traditions. The dates above follow the listed five-day festival sequence.

1. Dhanteras – November 6, 2026

Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Diwali festivities. The festival is associated with Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari and the worship of wealth, health and prosperity. Many families purchase gold, silver, utensils or other household items as a symbol of good fortune.

People clean their homes, decorate entrances with rangoli and light lamps. Some households also perform Dhanteras Puja and light a diya in honour of Yama, the deity associated with death, as part of traditional prayers for the well-being of family members.

2. Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali – November 7, 2026

Naraka Chaturdashi, commonly called Chhoti Diwali, is associated with the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna in Hindu tradition. The festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil and the removal of negativity.

Traditional observances include an early-morning oil bath, lighting diyas, preparing festive meals and decorating homes. In several parts of India, the customs and timing of Naraka Chaturdashi overlap with Diwali celebrations, depending on the local calendar.

3. Diwali and Lakshmi Puja – November 8, 2026

Diwali is the main day of the festival and the most widely recognised occasion in the five-day celebration. Families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, seeking prosperity, wisdom, peace and auspicious beginnings.

Homes and temples are illuminated with diyas, candles and decorative lights. Families prepare sweets and traditional dishes, exchange gifts, wear festive clothes and visit relatives. Many people also create rangoli designs at their entrances to welcome guests and symbolise auspiciousness.

For many Hindu communities, Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. The lighting of rows of lamps is associated with the joyous welcome extended to them.

The festival's meaning and customs differ across communities. For some, it marks the beginning of a new financial year, while others associate it with spiritual renewal, devotion and the victory of righteousness.

Must Read: Diwali 2026 Panchang: Tithi, Nakshatra, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Rahu Kaal and Shubh Timings

4. Govardhan Puja – November 10, 2026

Govardhan Puja commemorates the story of Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from torrential rain sent by Lord Indra. The festival highlights faith, humility, gratitude towards nature and the importance of protecting communities.

Devotees worship Govardhan Hill symbolically and offer food to Lord Krishna. The tradition of Annakut, meaning a mountain of food, involves preparing and offering a variety of dishes as an expression of devotion and gratitude.

In some regions, the day is also associated with Bali Pratipada and the Gujarati New Year. The date of observance can vary according to local traditions and the Panchang followed.

5. Bhai Dooj – November 11, 2026

Bhai Dooj brings the Diwali festivities to a close by celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Also known as Bhaiya Dooj or Yama Dwitiya, the festival is associated with prayers for the happiness, health and long life of brothers.

Sisters traditionally apply a tilak to their brothers' foreheads and perform aarti, while brothers offer gifts and express their affection and support. Families gather for meals and celebrations, making the occasion a reminder of the love, care and protection shared between siblings.

Why Is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali carries religious, cultural and spiritual significance across India. Its central message is the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The festival encourages people to move away from negativity, practise kindness and welcome new beginnings with hope.

In many Hindu traditions, Diwali commemorates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have welcomed Rama, Sita and Lakshmana by lighting rows of lamps, a tradition reflected in the name Deepavali, meaning a row of lights.

The worship of Goddess Lakshmi is another central aspect of Diwali. Devotees pray for wealth, abundance, peace and well-being. Lord Ganesha is also worshipped for wisdom and the removal of obstacles.

Lakshmi Puja on Diwali 2026: Rituals and Puja Vidhi

Lakshmi Puja is the principal religious observance on Diwali. Families prepare their homes and prayer spaces before offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

Here are some common rituals followed on Diwali:

1. Clean and decorate the home: Families clean their homes, arrange flowers and create rangoli designs near entrances and prayer areas.
2. Prepare the puja space: Place idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on a clean platform. Arrange flowers, incense, a diya, sweets, fruits and other customary offerings.
3. Light diyas: Oil lamps are lit in the prayer room and around the home to symbolise light, hope and the removal of darkness.
4. Perform Lakshmi and Ganesha Puja: Offer flowers, sweets, fruits and prayers according to family customs. Many devotees recite Lakshmi mantras, aarti and other devotional prayers.
5. Offer prayers for prosperity: Families pray for financial stability, wisdom, happiness, health and peace.
6. Distribute prasad: After the puja, offerings are distributed among family members and guests.
7. Celebrate responsibly: People exchange gifts and sweets, spend time with loved ones and light traditional lamps while taking care to avoid fire hazards.

The specific puja procedure may differ by family tradition and region. Devotees should follow their customary rituals and the appropriate local muhurat.

Diwali 2026: How to Celebrate the Festival

Diwali celebrations combine religious rituals with family gatherings, decorations and community festivities. Here are some meaningful ways to celebrate the occasion:

• Decorate with diyas and flowers: Traditional earthen lamps, marigold garlands and rangoli can bring a festive atmosphere to the home.
• Prepare traditional sweets: Share homemade sweets and festive dishes with family members, neighbours and friends.
• Exchange gifts and greetings: Send Diwali wishes to loved ones and share messages of happiness, health and prosperity.
• Spend time with family: Use the festival as an opportunity to reconnect with relatives and strengthen relationships.
• Support local artisans: Buying handmade diyas, decorations and gifts can help support small businesses and traditional craftspeople.
• Celebrate an eco-conscious Diwali: Choose reusable decorations, reduce waste and avoid excessive noise and air pollution.
• Follow fire safety precautions: Keep lamps away from curtains and other flammable materials. Supervise children around flames and avoid unsafe handling of fireworks.