Diwali is not a single day but a radiant five-day festival, each day with its own meaning and rituals. This HinduTone guide explains the 5 days of Diwali 2026 — from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj (6–11 November).

The five days: Dhanteras (6 Nov), Naraka Chaturdasi and Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (both 8 Nov; some families mark Choti Diwali on 7 Nov), Govardhan Puja (10 Nov) and Bhai Dooj (11 Nov).

Day 1 — Dhanteras (6 November)

The festival opens with the worship of Dhanvantari (the god of Ayurveda) and Lakshmi. It is considered auspicious to buy gold, silver and utensils, symbolising incoming prosperity.

Day 2 — Choti Diwali (7 November) / Naraka Chaturdasi (8 November)

Marks Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Many take the ritual abhyanga snan (oil bath) before dawn and light a few lamps in anticipation of Diwali.

Day 3 — Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (8 November)

The main day — homes are lit with rows of diyas, rangoli adorns the entrance, and the Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is performed in the evening Pradosh Kaal to welcome wealth and wisdom.

Day 4 — Govardhan Puja / Annakut (10 November)

Commemorates Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan; an "annakut" (mountain of food) is offered to the deity. In Gujarat, this is also the new year (Bestu Varas).

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Day 5 — Bhai Dooj (11 November)

Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters; sisters apply a tilak and pray for their brothers’ wellbeing, and gifts are exchanged.

Share the Diwali 2026 blessing

Across five sacred days, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, Diwali 2026 leads us gently from darkness into light. Each lamp we light is a reminder of the inner light that no darkness can touch, and each day opens our homes a little wider to Maa Lakshmi's grace: health on Dhanteras, purity on Naraka Chaturdashi, abundance of spirit on Lakshmi Puja, gratitude on Govardhan and love on Bhai Dooj. Share one of these blessings with your family and keep the glow alive all five days.

Deepa shloka: the lamp prayer

शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धनसम्पदा। शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhana-sampada, shatru-buddhi-vinashaya deepa-jyotir namostu te.

Meaning: I bow to the light of the lamp, which brings what is auspicious and good, health and prosperity, and destroys ill-will. Many families recite it as they light the evening diya.

Lakshmi mantra for Diwali

ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः॥

Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.

Meaning: Salutations to Mahalakshmi. Shreem is the seed syllable traditionally associated with Lakshmi.

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Diwali 2026 messages to share

🪔 May all five days of Diwali 2026, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, fill our family home with light, laughter and Maa Lakshmi's gentle grace. Happy Diwali! ✨ Share on WhatsApp

🙏 To my dear parents and elders: on this Dhanteras, may Lord Dhanvantari bless you with good health and peaceful days. Your blessings are our true wealth. 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

✨ Dear friend, may this Diwali light every corner of your life, and may the bond of Bhai Dooj remind us that true friends are family too. Happy five days of light! 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

🌸 Wishing you and your team a bright and harmonious Diwali 2026. May honest effort, trust and goodwill guide our work together in the year ahead. 🙏 Share on WhatsApp

🪔 Jai Maa Lakshmi! On this Lakshmi Puja night, may the Mother of grace enter every home that is lit with devotion and bless it with peace and contentment. 🌸✨ Share on WhatsApp

🙏 As Ayodhya glowed with lamps to welcome Lord Rama home, may your heart glow with faith and joy, and may Lord Ganesha remove every obstacle on your path. 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

A short Diwali prayer

Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, I bow before you with a grateful heart through these five days of light. Remove the darkness of ignorance and pride from within me, and let my home be filled with health, harmony and kindness. Bless my family with peace, guide my hands toward honest effort, and teach me to share whatever I have been given. May my lamp always burn for you.

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Use the share buttons on this page to send these blessings to your family and friends.

Also read: why Hindus celebrate their major festivals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the 5 days of Diwali 2026?

Dhanteras (6 Nov), Naraka Chaturdasi and Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (both 8 Nov; some families mark Choti Diwali on 7 Nov), Govardhan Puja (10 Nov) and Bhai Dooj (11 Nov).

Which is the main day?

Diwali / Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November 2026.

What is Dhanteras for?

Worship of Dhanvantari and Lakshmi, and the auspicious buying of gold, silver and utensils.

Explore More on HinduTone

  • Diwali / Deepavali 2026 — Complete 5-Day Guide
  • Dhanteras 2026 — Date, Buying Muhurat & Significance
  • Govardhan Puja & Annakut 2026 — Date, Vidhi & Story
  • Bhai Dooj 2026 — Date, Tilak Muhurat & Significance