Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on Kartik Amavasya, with the main Lakshmi Puja observed in the evening during Pradosh Kaal. Diwali is a five-day festival of lights that begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj, centered on the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh for wealth, prosperity, and new beginnings.
Diwali 2026 Date and Lakshmi Puja Muhurat
| Event | Date (2026) | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | November 6 | Friday |
| Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) | November 7 | Saturday |
| Diwali and Lakshmi Puja | November 8 | Sunday |
| Govardhan Puja | November 9 | Monday |
| Bhai Dooj | November 11 | Wednesday |
The Lakshmi Puja Muhurat on the main Diwali day, November 8, 2026, generally falls in the evening Pradosh Kaal window, approximately between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM IST, though the exact minute-to-minute timing shifts slightly by city and by which Panchang is used. Because of this, always confirm the precise muhurat for your own city against a local Panchang before beginning puja.
What is Diwali?
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights, marking the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The main day, Lakshmi Puja, is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, who is believed to visit homes that are clean, well-lit, and welcoming on this night. Lord Ganesh is worshipped alongside Lakshmi to remove obstacles and bring wisdom into the new year that many communities, particularly Gujarati households, begin the day after Diwali.
The 5 Days of Diwali 2026 Explained
Dhanteras, November 6: The festival opens with the worship of Dhanvantari, the god of health, and Kubera, the god of wealth. This is traditionally the day for buying gold, silver, or new utensils, believed to invite prosperity into the home.
Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali), November 7: Also called Chhoti Diwali, this day marks Lord Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura. Many families follow an early oil bath ritual and light a small number of diyas ahead of the main celebration.
Diwali and Lakshmi Puja, November 8: The main day of the festival. Homes are cleaned and decorated with diyas and rangoli, and the Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening to invite wealth and good fortune for the year ahead. This is also when most fireworks and family celebrations take place.
Govardhan Puja, November 9: This day commemorates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rain. An Annakut, a large offering of food, is prepared and offered as part of the celebration.
Bhai Dooj, November 11: The festival closes with Bhai Dooj, a sibling-focused day similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan, where sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and wellbeing.
Basic Lakshmi Puja Vidhi
- Clean the home thoroughly before sunset and decorate the entrance with rangoli and diyas.
- Set up a puja area with idols or images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh.
- Light a diya and incense, and offer flowers, sweets, and fruits.
- Perform the Lakshmi Puja during the Pradosh Kaal muhurat window for your city.
- Conclude with aarti, followed by distributing sweets and lighting diyas around the home.
Diwali 2026 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: City-Wise Timings
The Lakshmi Puja Muhurat on Diwali varies by city because the auspicious period is calculated according to the local sunrise, sunset and planetary positions. The following timings are for Sunday, November 8, 2026, and are given in the local time of each city.
Note: Muhurat timings can vary slightly between Panchangs and locations. For important religious observances, readers should verify the final timing with a local Panchang
| City | Lakshmi Puja Muhurat | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | 5:20 PM – 7:18 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| New Delhi | 5:54 PM – 7:50 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Noida | 5:54 PM – 7:49 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Chandigarh | 5:52 PM – 7:46 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Gurgaon | 5:55 PM – 7:51 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Jaipur | 6:03 PM – 7:59 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Chennai | 6:07 PM – 8:09 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Hyderabad | 6:07 PM – 8:08 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Bengaluru | 6:17 PM – 8:20 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Ahmedabad | 6:22 PM – 8:20 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Pune | 6:24 PM – 8:24 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Mumbai | 6:27 PM – 8:27 PM | Nov 8, 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali in 2026? Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on Kartik Amavasya.
What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat time for Diwali 2026? The Lakshmi Puja Muhurat on November 8, 2026 falls in the evening Pradosh Kaal window, generally between around 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM IST. Exact timing varies slightly by city, so check a local Panchang for the precise window where you live.
Why is Diwali 2026 on November 8 and not another date? Diwali is fixed to Kartik Amavasya, the new moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik, which falls on November 8 in 2026 according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar.
What are the 5 days of Diwali 2026? Dhanteras (November 6), Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali (November 7), Diwali and Lakshmi Puja (November 8), Govardhan Puja (November 9), and Bhai Dooj (November 11).
Is there an eclipse during Diwali 2026? No eclipse falls near the Diwali 2026 dates, so there are no eclipse-related restrictions to plan around this year.
What is the difference between Dhanteras and Diwali? Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day festival, focused on buying gold or utensils and worshipping Dhanvantari and Kubera. Diwali itself refers to the main day, November 8, dedicated to Lakshmi Puja.
Diwali Gift Ideas
Diwali is one of the biggest gifting occasions in India, covering everything from puja idols and prosperity plants to bulk office gifting and personalized keepsakes. See our complete guide to Best Diwali Gifts 2026 for unique 3D printed picks across every budget, from ₹99 personalized keychains to premium photo frames.
Related reading: Best Diwali Gifts 2026 | Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Muhurat & Complete Celebration Guide | Best Ganesh Chaturthi Gifts Under ₹500