Diwali 2026

 In 2026, Diwali, the main day of Lakshmi Puja, will be celebrated in the month of November

2026 festive season has commenced with Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. In the coming weeks, there will be many more celebrations such as Durga Puja and Dussehra. The festive season will peak with Diwali celebrations and related festivities such as Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali), Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj (Bhaiya Dooj / Bhau Beej) and Chhat Puja. Let's check out the 2026 Diwali festival dates in detail.

Diwali 2026 – Diwali kab hai

Diwali 2026 is on 8th November, which is a Sunday. This is the main event when Lakshmi Puja is performed. As many of you may be aware, Diwali is observed on Kartik Amavasya every year. This day is the new moon night in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. Due to this, the Diwali dates keep changing every year. Diwali is a five-day festival and it has extensions as well depending on the region where it is being celebrated.

Local Panchang calculations can also impact the dates slightly. However, in most areas, the Diwali 2026 dates are common. Before Diwali 2026, Dussehra or Vijayadashami will be celebrated on 20th October 2026. The five days of Diwali 2026 will begin with Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi), which will be held on 6th November. This celebration is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera (god of wealth), and Lord Dhanvantari (god of Ayurveda and health).

Dhanteras is the day when people shop for items like gold, silver and utensils. Yama Deep Daan (lighting a lamp for Lord Yama) is also performed in the evening to ward off untimely death. The next day, 7th November, is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali / Kali Chaudas). This is dedicated to Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. In South India, the Naraka Chaturdashi is actually celebrated as the main Deepavali day.

The main Diwali 2026 day is 8th November, which celebrates the victory of light over darkness. The celebration is also about the victory of knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. Deepavali marks Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of 'vanvaas'. Homes are traditionally decorated with diyas, rangolis and flowers. In the evening, Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja is performed (typically in Pradosh Kaal after sunset).

Fireworks, sweets, new clothes, and family gatherings are common. Businesses often open new account books on Diwali. After Diwali 2026, Govardhan Puja (Annakut / Padwa) will be celebrated on 10th November. This is in honor of Lord Krishna, specifically for lifting the Govardhan Parvat to protect villages from Indra’s wrath. On this day, devotees prepare and offer a mountain of food (Annakut) to the deity and nature.

The next day, 11th November, Bhai Dooj (Bhaiya Dooj / Bhau Beej) will be celebrated. This is essentially a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply a ceremonial tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life and prosperity. Brothers give gifts to their sisters on this day. This celebration is linked to the legend of Yama and his sister Yamuna.