Deepawali 2026: Five Nights, Dates and Lakshmi Puja Muhurat

Prashant Dhingra

Short answer: Deepawali (Diwali) 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. Lakshmi Puja muhurat in New Delhi is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM IST. The five days run from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 11 November, with Govardhan Puja on 10 November, and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi follows on 24 November. It is the first Diwali since UNESCO inscribed Deepavali as intangible cultural heritage in December 2025.

Night by night

Diwali is not one evening but a run of five, each with its own story and its own small rituals. Here is what each one means and what the 2026 panchang says about it.

6Friday, November

Dhanteras

Dhantrayodashi, Yama Deepam

The festival opens with Dhantrayodashi. Families worship Lakshmi and Kuber, and Dhanvantari, who rose from the churning of the ocean carrying amrit. It is the day for buying something new and metal for the home: gold, silver, a steel utensil, even a broom. After sunset a single lamp is lit facing south for Yama, the Yama Deepam.

2026: Lakshmi–Kuber puja 6:02–7:57 PM IST (New Delhi). Trayodashi runs from 10:30 AM on 6 Nov to about 10:47 AM on 7 Nov.

A large display of Diwali lights for sale

7Saturday, November

Choti Diwali

Naraka Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas, Hanuman Puja

Narak Chaturdashi recalls Krishna's defeat of the demon Narakasura. In the south it is the day of the early oil bath; in the north it is Choti Diwali, when the first rows of diyas go out and the house is finished for the big night. Many families also worship Hanuman ji.

2026: Some panchangs place the Naraka Chaturdashi oil bath on the morning of 8 Nov; follow your family calendar.

8Sunday, November

Diwali : Lakshmi Puja

Kali Puja in Bengal, Sharda Puja in Gujarat

Amavasya, the darkest night of Kartik. Lamps fill every window and ledge so Lakshmi can find her way in, and the family gathers for Lakshmi–Ganesh puja in Pradosh Kaal. In Bengal and the east it is Kali Puja; in Gujarat, Sharda Puja and the closing of the old account books.

2026: Lakshmi–Ganesh puja 5:54–7:50 PM IST in New Delhi, inside Pradosh Kaal 5:31–8:09 PM.

10Tuesday, November

Govardhan Puja

Annakut, Bali Pratipada, Gujarati New Year

Govardhan Puja remembers Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter the people of Braj from Indra's storm. Kitchens cook an Annakut, a mountain of food offered and then shared. In Gujarat this is Bestu Varas, the New Year; in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Bali Pratipada.

2026: Drik Panchang lists 10 Nov for most Indian cities; some calendars and places outside India keep it on 9 Nov.

11Wednesday, November

Bhai Dooj

Bhai Phonta, Bhau Beej, Bhai Tika

The last day belongs to brothers and sisters. Yama is said to have visited his sister Yamuna on this day; sisters apply tilak, pray for their brothers' long life and feed them, and brothers bring gifts. Bengal calls it Bhai Phonta, Maharashtra Bhau Beej and Nepal Bhai Tika.

2026: Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. The tilak is traditionally done in the afternoon (aparahna).

When to light the lamps on 8 November

Lakshmi Puja is done in Pradosh Kaal, the window after sunset, ideally while the fixed Vrishabha lagna is rising. Amavasya runs from late morning on the 8th until about 12:31 PM IST on the 9th, so the whole evening of the 8th is covered.

Lakshmi Puja muhurat, Sunday 8 November 2026 (local time)
City	Muhurat
New Delhi	5:54 PM – 7:50 PM
Jaipur	6:03 PM – 7:59 PM
Chennai	6:07 PM – 8:09 PM
Pune	6:24 PM – 8:24 PM

Source: Drik Panchang (Pradosh Kaal with Vrishabha Kaal). Delhi Pradosh Kaal is 5:31–8:09 PM; the Mahanishita Kaal window for night puja is 11:39 PM to 12:31 AM.

Lakshmi puja at home on Diwali — Puja at home: start a little before the window opens so the lamps are lit when it begins.

Chet Singh Ghat lit with lamps on Dev Deepawali — Chet Singh Ghat on Dev Deepawali.

And a sixth night, fifteen days later

On Kartik Purnima, Tuesday 24 November 2026, Varanasi celebrates Dev Deepawali, the Diwali of the gods. It marks Shiva's victory over Tripurasura, and every ghat from Assi to Raj Ghat is lined with lamps. A few listings give 25 November, so confirm before you book a boat.

The first Diwali as world heritage

On 10 December 2025 UNESCO inscribed Deepavali on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, at the committee's twentieth session held at the Red Fort in New Delhi. It is India's sixteenth element on the list, recorded under social practices, rituals and festive events.

At the ninth Deepotsav on 19 October 2025, Ayodhya lit 26,17,215 diyas across 56 ghats of the Saryu, a count verified by Guinness World Records, while 2,128 Vedacharyas performed a maha aarti together and about 1,100 drones drew scenes from the Ramayana in the sky. Deepotsav is held on the eve of Diwali, which points to Saturday 7 November in 2026; check UP Tourism for the confirmed schedule before you travel.

All the 2026 dates in one table

The five days of Deepawali 2026
Date	Observance	What to know
Friday, 6 Nov	DhanterasDhantrayodashi, Yama Deepam	Lakshmi–Kuber puja 6:02–7:57 PM IST (New Delhi). Trayodashi runs from 10:30 AM on 6 Nov to about 10:47 AM on 7 Nov.
Saturday, 7 Nov	Choti DiwaliNaraka Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas, Hanuman Puja	Some panchangs place the Naraka Chaturdashi oil bath on the morning of 8 Nov; follow your family calendar.
Sunday, 8 Nov	Diwali : Lakshmi PujaKali Puja in Bengal, Sharda Puja in Gujarat	Lakshmi–Ganesh puja 5:54–7:50 PM IST in New Delhi, inside Pradosh Kaal 5:31–8:09 PM.
Tuesday, 10 Nov	Govardhan PujaAnnakut, Bali Pratipada, Gujarati New Year	Drik Panchang lists 10 Nov for most Indian cities; some calendars and places outside India keep it on 9 Nov.
Wednesday, 11 Nov	Bhai DoojBhai Phonta, Bhau Beej, Bhai Tika	Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. The tilak is traditionally done in the afternoon (aparahna).
Tuesday, 24 Nov	Dev Deepawali, VaranasiKartik Purnima	Fifteen days after Diwali the ghats of Kashi are lined with lamps. A few listings give 25 Nov; Drik Panchang and most guides give 24 Nov.

Get ready before 6 November

Clean the house, the office and the car

Cleaning before Diwali clears out the old year: it is a way of removing negativity and making room for Lakshmi. Do the deep work in the last week of October so the days just before 6 November are free for shopping and decorating.

Decorate with diyas, rangoli and flowers

Diyas on the windowsill and balcony, rangoli at the door and marigold toran over it are the classic three. Mix clay diyas with LED strings or electronic diyas where open flame is risky, and buy handmade, eco-friendly pieces from local potters and artisans.

Plan the outfits

Sarees, kurta-pyjamas and lehengas in bright, traditional colours are the Diwali uniform. For the puja and around diyas, cotton and silk are safer than loose synthetics.

Prepare the puja thali

Lay a clean cloth on a plate and arrange a diya, incense, flowers, fruit, dry fruits and sweets. Laddoos, barfi and kheer are the usual offerings, and the same sweets go round to family and neighbours afterwards.

Gifts for family

Think about the person, not the price: a puja set for parents, a small personalised piece of jewellery for a sibling, a warm blanket for grandparents, or something handcrafted and a box of local delicacies. The thought behind it is what is remembered.

Gifts for employees and clients

Corporate Diwali gifting is a thank-you. Hampers of mithai, dry fruits and artisanal snacks remain the favourite; branded stationery, a good pen, useful tech, eco-friendly products, wellness kits, home décor, vouchers and engraved mementos all work. Small businesses can add festive offers or limited editions for customers.

Buy local, and share

Choosing local potters, florists, sweet-makers and craftspeople keeps the money in your own neighbourhood. Set aside a share of the festival budget for people who need it: sweets, clothes or diyas for families who cannot buy them.

Send wishes and e-cards

Send personal wishes to family, friends and colleagues a day or two before 8 November, and save the phone calls for Diwali evening after the puja.

Deepawali in pictures

Diwali wishes from our readers

As the festival of lights brightens our homes and hearts, may this Diwali bring endless joy, prosperity and happiness to you and your loved ones. May the light of the diyas remove the darkness in your life and light your path with peace, wisdom and success.
Shared by a reader on our Facebook page, Rajasthan

May Goddess Lakshmi bless your home with wealth, health and happiness, and may Lord Ganesha remove every obstacle from your path. Let's remember what Diwali teaches us: light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
Shared by a reader on Instagram, Delhi, India

May the days ahead be as colourful as the rangoli on your doorstep, as sweet as the laddoos shared with friends and family, and as radiant as the lights in the sky. Wishing you and your loved ones a Diwali full of love, light and peace.
Shared by a reader on LinkedIn, Washington, USA

Happy Deepawali 2026! May Lakshmi ji walk in through an open door, and may every diya you light on 8 November keep glowing all year.

शुभ दीपावली! आपके घर में सुख, समृद्धि और ढेर सारी रोशनी आए।

This year the whole world recognises the festival we grew up with. Wishing you a bright, safe and sweet Diwali 2026.

From Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, may all five days bring you good health, good company and very good mithai.

Deepawali 2026: questions people ask

When is Diwali in 2026?

The main day of Diwali, the night of Lakshmi Puja, is Sunday 8 November 2026, on Kartik Amavasya. The festival opens with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and closes with Bhai Dooj on Wednesday 11 November.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Diwali 2026?

Drik Panchang gives 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM IST for New Delhi on 8 November, the Vrishabha Kaal inside Pradosh Kaal (5:31 PM to 8:09 PM). Jaipur is 6:03 to 7:59 PM, Chennai 6:07 to 8:09 PM and Pune 6:24 to 8:24 PM. Check a panchang for your own city.

Is Diwali 2026 on 8 or 9 November?

8 November. Amavasya also touches the sunrise of 9 November, but Lakshmi Puja is done in the evening, and the Amavasya that covers the evening puja window falls on the 8th.

When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?

Drik Panchang lists Tuesday 10 November for most Indian cities, because Pratipada only reaches sunrise on the 10th. Some calendars, some cities and most of the western hemisphere keep it on Monday 9 November.

When is Bhai Dooj in 2026?

Wednesday 11 November 2026, on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya.

When is Dev Deepawali 2026 in Varanasi?

Tuesday 24 November 2026, on Kartik Purnima, fifteen days after Diwali. A few listings give 25 November, so confirm locally before booking a boat.

Is Diwali a UNESCO heritage?

Yes. Deepavali was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 10 December 2025, making Diwali 2026 the first since that recognition.

Is Diwali on the same day in the USA and India in 2026?

Yes, the Lakshmi Puja night is Sunday 8 November in both, though the muhurat follows local sunset. The days around it can differ, so use a panchang set to your city.

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