Diwali / Deepavali 2026: Complete 5-Day Guide — Dates, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat & Rituals

Diwali — Deepavali, the festival of lights — is the most widely celebrated festival in Sanatana Dharma, marking the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. In 2026, Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday, 8 November, the radiant heart of a five-day celebration that runs from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj.

This HinduTone pillar guide is the complete reference for Diwali / Deepavali 2026 — the five days and their dates, the Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja muhurat and vidhi, the legends and significance, regional traditions, and how the festival of lights is celebrated by Hindus everywhere.

Quick answer: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November. In New Delhi the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is 5:54 PM – 7:50 PM IST, within Pradosh Kaal of 5:31 PM – 8:09 PM (Drik Panchang). The five days in India are Dhanteras (Fri 6 Nov), Kali Chaudas (Sat 7 Nov), Naraka Chaturdashi and Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (both Sun 8 Nov), Govardhan Puja (Tue 10 Nov) and Bhai Dooj (Wed 11 Nov). In the USA, UK and Canada, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj fall a day earlier, on 9 and 10 November; Australia, New Zealand and Singapore follow India.

Last updated: 31 October 2026. Clarified what each timing means (tithi, Pradosh Kaal, muhurat, city). Added India state-wise cracker rules table.

The Five Days of Diwali 2026

• Day 1 — Dhanteras (Friday, 6 November 2026): worship of Dhanvantari and Lakshmi; auspicious for buying gold, silver and utensils
• Day 2 — Kali Chaudas and Hanuman Puja (Saturday, 7 November 2026), which many families call Choti Diwali; Naraka Chaturdashi itself, with the abhyanga snan (ritual oil bath) before sunrise, falls on the morning of Sunday, 8 November, the same day as Lakshmi Puja per Drik Panchang: it marks Krishna’s victory over Narakasura
• Day 3 — Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Sunday, 8 November 2026): the main day — Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja in the evening Pradosh Kaal, diyas and fireworks
• Day 4 — Govardhan Puja / Annakut (Tuesday, 10 November 2026): honouring Krishna lifting Govardhan; the annakut food offering
• Day 5 — Bhai Dooj (Wednesday, 11 November 2026): celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters

Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja Muhurat & Vidhi

On Diwali night, Goddess Lakshmi (wealth and prosperity) and Lord Ganesha (wisdom and auspicious beginnings) are worshipped together. The Pradosh Kaal — the evening twilight period — is the most auspicious window for Lakshmi Puja.

How to read the times: the times above are for New Delhi in Indian Standard Time (IST), from Drik Panchang. Amavasya, the tithi that decides the date, begins at 11:27 AM on Sunday 8 November and ends at 12:31 PM on Monday 9 November, so it is current at sunset on 8 November and Lakshmi Puja is that evening; Naraka Chaturdashi is the same morning because Chaturdashi is still current at dawn. Pradosh Kaal (5:31 PM to 8:09 PM) is the whole evening window after sunset, and the Lakshmi Puja muhurat (5:54 PM to 7:50 PM) is the shorter Vrishabha (fixed lagna) slot inside it, so the two sets of numbers differ by design. Sunset changes from city to city: in Hyderabad, for example, Pradosh Kaal is 5:42 PM to 8:13 PM and the muhurat is 6:07 PM to 8:08 PM. Find your city in the Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026 India city-wise guide or in the country guides below; outside India always use your own local sunset and time zone.

1. Clean and light the home; draw a rangoli and place diyas at the entrance and around the house
2. Set up the altar with idols/images of Lakshmi and Ganesha, a kalash, and offerings
3. Perform sankalpa, invoke Ganesha first, then Lakshmi (Shodashopachara puja)
4. Offer flowers, akshata, sweets, coins, and light the lamps
5. Recite the Lakshmi mantras, Sri Suktam, and aarti
6. Keep diyas lit through the evening to welcome Lakshmi into a clean, bright home

The Legends & Significance

• Return of Lord Rama: Ayodhya lit rows of diyas to welcome Rama home after defeating Ravana and completing 14 years of exile.
• Goddess Lakshmi’s emergence: Lakshmi is said to have emerged during the Samudra Manthan; Diwali night invites her blessings of prosperity.
• Krishna & Narakasura: Naraka Chaturdasi marks Krishna’s slaying of the demon Narakasura, freeing the captives.
• Light over darkness: the diya symbolises the inner light that dispels ignorance — the deeper meaning of Deepavali.

Why Diwali 2026 Falls on a Sunday

Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya (new moon) of the Kartik month. In 2026 the Amavasya tithi aligns with Sunday, 8 November — a welcome coincidence that lets families celebrate together without the rush of a working day.

Regional Traditions

• North India: Lakshmi Puja, Rama’s return, and grand fireworks
• South India: Naraka Chaturdasi with the oil bath is the principal day in many regions
• West India (Gujarat): Diwali also marks the new year (Bestu Varas) and Chopda Pujan for businesses
• East India: Kali Puja is observed on the same night in Bengal

Diwali 2026 in Indian cities and temples

Customs change from city to city and temple to temple. These guides look at particular places:

• Regional Diwali traditions across India: how different states keep the festival
• Diwali in Mumbai: lights, markets and family traditions in the city
• Diwali in Bengaluru: a city guide for Bengaluru and Karnataka
• Deepavali in Chennai: a city guide for Chennai and Tamil Nadu
• Diwali in Indore: a city guide for Madhya Pradesh
• Diwali in Bhubaneswar: a city guide for Odisha
• Diwali in Darbhanga: Mithila traditions in north Bihar
• How Indian temples celebrate Diwali: a guide to temple observances across the country
• The most beautiful temple Diwali celebrations: a visual journey through lamp-lit shrines

Diyas, Rangoli & the Spirit of Light

Rows of earthen diyas, vibrant rangoli, and lamps in every window are the soul of Deepavali — an invitation to Lakshmi and a celebration of the light within. Eco-friendly, cracker-light celebrations are increasingly embraced to keep the festival joyful and clean.

Diwali Around the World — The Diaspora

Wherever Hindus live, Diwali shines — from home Lakshmi Puja to massive city celebrations across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the Gulf. Outside India the date of Diwali is the same, Sunday 8 November, but the muhurat must be taken from your own city's sunset, never converted from Indian time.

Diwali 2026 by country

• Diwali 2026 India: date and Lakshmi Puja muhurat, with timings for 30 Indian cities
• Diwali 2026 USA: Lakshmi Puja time in all 50 states, temples and events
• Diwali 2026 UK: Lakshmi Puja time for 10 cities, Trafalgar Square and Leicester
• Diwali 2026 Canada: Lakshmi Puja time for 19 cities in every province
• Diwali 2026 Australia: Lakshmi Puja time for 9 cities and public events
• Diwali 2026 UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi muhurat and 5-day guide
• Deepavali 2026 Singapore: Lakshmi Puja muhurat and Little India

The five days, one guide each

• Dhanteras 2026: Friday 6 November, buying muhurat and Yama Deepam
• Naraka Chaturdashi 2026: the oil bath and Choti Diwali
• Lakshmi-Ganesh puja vidhi and samagri 2026: step by step, with mantras
• Bhai Dooj 2026: Wednesday 11 November in India, tilak muhurat and story

Fireworks rules: laws differ by country and city. See the HinduTone guides for the USA, Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Dubai.

More diaspora guides

Practical guides and stories from Hindu families abroad:

• Diwali 2026 in London: dates, Lakshmi Puja time and temples in the capital
• The five days of Diwali in the UK: Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj for British Hindu families
• The five days of Diwali in Canada: a day-by-day guide for Canadian families
• Diwali fireworks rules in Germany: what NRIs can and cannot do
• How Indian cricketers celebrate Diwali in Australia: a lighter read for cricket fans

Diwali 2026 cracker rules by state and city (India)

Cracker rules in India come from the Supreme Court, state governments, pollution control boards and local police, and many 2026 orders had not been issued by 25 October. This table summarises what each HinduTone state or city guide found as of 25 October 2026; open the guide for sources and updates.

National baseline: where no state or city order applies, the Supreme Court's judgment of 23 October 2018 limits bursting on Diwali to 8 PM to 10 PM throughout India, with green crackers only, and the Noise Rules bar sound-emitting crackers from 10 PM to 6 AM.

Safety first: read our Diwali cracker safety guide for children and families before you light anything.

Outside India: Diwali fireworks laws in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia.

More country guides

• Diwali 2026 in Austria: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Bahrain: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Belgium: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Brazil: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Denmark: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Fiji: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Finland: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Germany: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Indonesia and Bali: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Ireland: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Italy: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Japan: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Kenya: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Deepavali 2026 in Malaysia: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Mauritius: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Nepal (Tihar): Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Netherlands: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in New Zealand: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Norway: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Oman and the UAE: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Poland: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Portugal: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Qatar: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Saudi Arabia: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in South Africa: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Spain: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Sri Lanka (Colombo): Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Sweden: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Switzerland: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Tanzania: Lakshmi Puja time by city
• Diwali 2026 in Thailand: Lakshmi Puja time and temples
• Diwali 2026 in Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname: Lakshmi Puja time and temples

Share the Diwali 2026 blessing

As the five days of Diwali 2026 unfold, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, every diya we light is a quiet prayer: that the inner lamp of wisdom may burn steady, and that darkness of every kind gives way to light. May Maa Lakshmi's grace enter homes made clean and bright with love, and may Lord Ganesha bless every new beginning. Share one of these blessings with your family and loved ones, near or far, and let the light of Deepavali travel from your heart to theirs.

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.

Diwali 2026 messages to share

🪔 Happy Diwali 2026 to our whole family! May the lamps we light together fill our home with love, laughter and the gentle grace of Maa Lakshmi. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

🙏 To my dear parents and elders: your blessings are the brightest diya in my life. May this Deepavali bring you good health, peace and deep joy. 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

✨ Happy Deepavali, my friend! May every lamp you light chase away worry, and may these five days of light fill your heart with happiness. 🪔🌸 Share on WhatsApp

🪔 Warm Diwali wishes to you and your team. May this festival of lights bring clarity, trust and steady growth to all our work together. ✨🙏 Share on WhatsApp

🌸 May Maa Lakshmi step into your home this Diwali night, finding it clean, bright and full of devotion, and bless you with peace and contentment. 🪔🙏 Share on WhatsApp

🪔 As Ayodhya lit rows of lamps to welcome Lord Rama home, may your home glow with dharma, courage and love this Diwali. Jai Shri Ram! ✨🙏 Share on WhatsApp

A short Diwali prayer

Maa Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, I bow before you with folded hands this Diwali. Light the lamp of wisdom within me and remove the darkness of anger and ignorance. Bless my family with good health and harmony. Teach me gratitude for what I have, and give me the strength for honest, right effort in all I do. May our home always be a place where your light is welcome.

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

Also read: Diwali 2026 events in the USA, Diwali 2026 events in Canada, Diwali 2026 events in Australia and New Zealand and Deepavali 2026 events in Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai.

Also read: Sri Suktam with meaning and 108 names of Lakshmi with meaning.

Also read: Bhagya Suktam with meaning.

Diwali at work and online

Ideas for the office, for business families and for sharing the festival online:

• Diwali celebration ideas for the office: ten meaningful ways to mark the festival at work
• Diwali for business owners: a guide for traders and business families
• Digital Diwali: how social media is changing festival traditions
• Diwali reel ideas: 50 ideas for Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts
• AI image prompts for Diwali: prompts for Gemini, ChatGPT and Midjourney

Guides for this season

Each part of the festival has its own detailed guide. Use these for timings, step-by-step puja, food, decoration and safety, in the order of the five days:

• Mantras to chant while buying gold on Dhanteras: short Lakshmi and Kubera prayers for the purchase
• Lakshmi Puja vidhi, step by step: the 16-step shodashopachara puja with samagri and mantras
• Govardhan Puja and Annakut 2026: morning muhurat and Annakut bhog on Tuesday 10 November
• Bali Padyami and Diwali Padwa 2026: the new-year customs of the same day in the South and West
• Diwali sweets to make at home: ladoo, Mysore pak, soan papdi and more
• Diwali rangoli designs: Lakshmi footprints, traditional patterns and easy ideas for beginners
• A cracker-free, eco-friendly Diwali: ideas for families who want less smoke and less waste
• Diwali 2026 dates in every country: Lakshmi Puja time and the five-day calendar for 239 countries
• Lakshmi Puja time in the USA: muhurat for 15 US cities
• How Indian Americans celebrate Diwali: temples, community events and home traditions
• Diwali abroad: Australia, the UAE and Singapore: an overview for families in these countries

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November. The five days run from Dhanteras (6 Nov) to Bhai Dooj (11 Nov).

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat?

In New Delhi the Lakshmi Puja muhurat on Sunday 8 November 2026 is 5:54 PM – 7:50 PM IST, the part of Pradosh Kaal (5:31 PM – 8:09 PM) when the fixed Vrishabha lagna is rising (Drik Panchang). Other cities differ by up to about 40 minutes; see our Lakshmi Puja muhurat for 30 Indian cities. Abroad, use your own city's time from the country guides above.

Why is Diwali celebrated?

It celebrates the victory of light over darkness — Rama’s return to Ayodhya, the blessings of Lakshmi, and Krishna’s victory over Narakasura.

What are the five days of Diwali?

Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdasi (Choti Diwali), Diwali/Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.

Final Word

Diwali 2026, on Sunday, 8 November, is the festival of lights at its most radiant — five days of devotion, family and prosperity. Light your diyas, worship Lakshmi and Ganesha in the Pradosh Kaal, and welcome the light into your home and heart. Shubh Deepavali!

May Goddess Lakshmi bless your home with prosperity and Lord Ganesha with wisdom this Diwali. Bookmark this guide — we will keep it updated with final muhurat timings closer to the date.

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