Diwali 2026दीपावली
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The full five day calendar from Dhanteras (November 6, 2026) to Bhai Dooj (November 11, 2026), with the story of the festival of lights and how it is celebrated.
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Diwali 2026: all the dates
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Kali Chaudas, Choti Diwali (evening deepdan) | Saturday, November 7, 2026 |
| Narak Chaturdashi (Abhyang Snan, pre-dawn) | Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
| Diwali, Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
| Govardhan Puja (Annakut) | Tuesday, November 10, 2026 |
| Bhai Dooj | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 |
Choti Diwali is the Kali Chaudas evening of deepdan, while the abhyang snan of Narak Chaturdashi belongs to the next pre-dawn: two observances of the same chaturdashi tithi. When the tithi runs late, the abhyang snan can fall on Lakshmi Puja morning itself, as the table shows.
Diwali 2026 where you live
Lakshmi Puja follows your own pradosh kaal, so the muhurat and sometimes the date change with the city. Each page below carries verified per city timings.
The story of Diwali
Diwali is the festival of lights, kept on the Amavasya of Kartika, the darkest night of the darkest fortnight, when every home answers the dark with rows of diyas. Its oldest katha is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana after fourteen years of exile and the victory over Ravana: the people of Ayodhya lit lamps in every doorway so that their king would find the city glowing. Every diya on a Diwali night is a small Ayodhya welcoming Rama home.
On this same night Mata Lakshmi, who rose from the churning of the ocean of milk (read the Samudra Manthan katha), is welcomed into clean, lamp-lit homes with the evening Lakshmi Puja alongside Ganesha. The chaturdashi before the new moon carries another victory: Krishna and Satyabhama freeing sixteen thousand captives by defeating Narakasura, remembered with the deepdan of Kali Chaudas at night and the abhyang snan of Narak Chaturdashi at the next dawn. And the day after, Krishna lifted Govardhan hill to shelter Vraja (the Govardhan katha), honoured with the Annakut of food offerings.
The five days close with Bhai Dooj, when sisters pray for their brothers as Yamuna once prayed for Yama. Light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, the inner diya over every outer gloom: that is the whole of Diwali.
How Diwali is celebrated
| Dhanteras | the entrance is cleaned and lit, and gold, silver or new utensils are brought home for Lakshmi and Dhanvantari. |
| Lakshmi Puja | on the Amavasya evening, Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped with diyas, rangoli, kheel-batasha and the account books of the year. |
| Diyas and rangoli | rows of oil lamps on every ledge and a rangoli at the door, kept burning through the night. |
| Family and prasad | new clothes, sweets shared with neighbours, and the elders blessed first. |
In North India the katha of Rama leads the festival; in the West, traders open new account books before Lakshmi; in Bengal the same night is Kali Puja; and in South India the emphasis falls on Naraka Chaturdashi with its oil bath before sunrise.
Diwali checklist: what to arrange in advance
The non-perishable samagri you can order ahead of the day. Each link opens an Amazon search for that item in your own country’s store.
Fresh items, flowers, fruit, sweets and leaves, are best bought from your local market on the day.
As an Amazon Associate, Bhakti Angan earns from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The festive days run from Dhanteras on November 6, 2026 to Bhai Dooj on November 11, 2026.
What is the Diwali date outside India in 2026?
Lakshmi Puja follows the local pradosh kaal of the Amavasya, so both the evening and sometimes the date shift by city. Verified for 2026: New York November 8, 2026 (05:04 PM to 06:52 PM); Chicago November 8, 2026 (04:55 PM to 06:43 PM); Los Angeles November 8, 2026 (05:16 PM to 07:08 PM); London November 8, 2026 (04:35 PM to 06:12 PM); Toronto November 8, 2026 (05:17 PM to 07:03 PM); Sydney November 8, 2026 (08:04 PM to 09:33 PM).
When is Choti Diwali in 2026?
Choti Diwali (Kali Chaudas deepdan) is on the evening of Saturday, November 7, 2026; the Narak Chaturdashi abhyang snan follows at the next dawn, on November 8, 2026.
Why is Lakshmi Puja done at night?
Lakshmi Puja belongs to the Pradosh and midnight hours of the Amavasya, when the lamps are lit and the goddess is believed to walk the earth seeking lit, welcoming homes. The exact muhurat depends on your city: check the daily Panchang for your local window.
Why does Diwali fall on a different date each year?
Diwali follows the Kartika Amavasya of the lunar calendar, not a fixed solar date, so it moves between October and November each year.
What is the story behind Diwali?
The return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after victory over Ravana, welcomed by a city of lamps; the emergence of Mata Lakshmi from the ocean of milk; and the defeat of Narakasura by Krishna. All three are read as the victory of light over darkness.
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Dates are verified against authoritative Panchang sources (Drik Panchang, New Delhi). Traditions vary by family and region; for muhurat and puja vidhi please also consult your family panditji.