Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026 (Kartika Amavasya). This complete guide covers the full 5-day Diwali celebration (Dhanteras through Bhai Dooj), Lakshmi Puja Muhurta, complete puja vidhi, regional variations, and traditional observances. Verified dates + practical guidance.

Diwali 2026 - The 5-Day Festival

  • Day 1 - Dhanteras / Dhanatrayodashi: November 6, 2026 (Friday)
  • Day 2 - Naraka Chaturdashi / Chhoti Diwali: November 7, 2026 (Saturday)
  • Day 3 - Diwali / Lakshmi Puja: November 8, 2026 (Sunday) - MAIN DAY
  • Day 4 - Govardhan Puja / Annakut / Bali Pratipada: November 9, 2026 (Monday)
  • Day 5 - Bhai Dooj / Yama Dwitiya: November 10, 2026 (Tuesday)

🪔 Day 1: Dhanteras (November 6, 2026)

Kartika Krishna Trayodashi - the day of Dhanvantari (deity of Ayurveda) + Kubera (deity of wealth). Traditional day for buying gold, silver, utensils, and new items.

Dhanteras Observances

  • Wake early, clean home thoroughly
  • Buy silver/gold/utensils (traditional - even a small item)
  • Light single diya at doorway in evening
  • Yamdeep - special lamp for Yama in evening
  • Kubera + Lakshmi puja
  • Prepare for Diwali cleanup completion
  • Rangoli at entrance
  • Traditional: 13 diyas throughout home

🪔 Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi / Chhoti Diwali (Nov 7)

Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi. Celebrates Krishna's victory over Narakasura. Also called Roop Chaudas or Kali Chaudas (Bengali).

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Chhoti Diwali Observances

  • Pre-dawn oil bath (abhyanga snan) - highly traditional
  • Application of ubtan (turmeric + oil paste)
  • New clothes worn from this day
  • Wear kumkum + chandan + akshata
  • Yama offering (curd + kumkum + akshata)
  • Light diyas throughout home in evening
  • Simplified family puja

🪔 Day 3: DIWALI - Lakshmi Puja (Sunday, November 8, 2026)

The main day - Kartika Amavasya - when Goddess Lakshmi is invited into homes with light, cleanliness, and devotion.

Diwali 2026 Puja Muhurat

  • Pradosh Kaal (auspicious puja time): approximately 5:20-8:00 PM local (varies by city)
  • Amrit Kaal within Pradosh: check location-specific Panchang
  • Sthir Lagna (fixed ascendant) - most auspicious for Lakshmi
  • Nishita Kaal (midnight muhurta): 11:30 PM - 12:30 AM approx
  • Verify exact timing with Panchang app for your city

Complete Lakshmi Puja Vidhi

  1. Complete pre-sunset home cleaning
  2. Bathe + wear new/festive clothing
  3. Set up puja space in Northeast corner (Ishaan)
  4. Chowki with red/pink cloth
  5. Place Lakshmi + Ganesha + Saraswati images
  6. Optional: Kubera (deity of wealth)
  7. Ganesha vandana first
  8. Sankalpa - state date + purpose
  9. Kalash sthapana (water pot with coconut on top)
  10. Chandan + kumkum + akshata + haldi on deities
  11. Offer lotus + rose + jasmine flowers
  12. Naivedyam - kheer, sweets, dry fruits, fruits, coins
  13. Business ledgers/laptop/financial documents at altar (traditional Vaishya tradition)
  14. Recite Sri Suktam, Kanakadhara Stotra, Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
  15. 108 japa 'Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyai Namah'
  16. Aarti with 'Om Jai Lakshmi Mata'
  17. Distribute prasad
  18. Light diyas throughout home
  19. Traditional: keep diyas burning through night if possible

Complete Puja Samagri

  • Lakshmi + Ganesha idols/pictures
  • Kalash + coconut
  • Chowki + red/pink cloth
  • Diyas + oil + cotton wicks (dozens for home)
  • Agarbatti + camphor
  • Kumkum, haldi, chandan, akshata
  • Fresh flowers (lotus + rose + jasmine + marigold)
  • Sweets (kheer, ladoo, barfi, mithai)
  • Fruits (banana, coconut, mango, pomegranate)
  • Coins (silver + copper + gold if possible)
  • Panchamrita ingredients
  • Silver or gold coin
  • Kaudi (cowrie shells)

🪔 Day 4: Govardhan Puja / Annakut (Monday, November 9)

Kartika Shukla Pratipada. Celebrates Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill. Also Bali Pratipada in Vaishnava tradition.

Govardhan Puja Observances

  • Create Govardhan Hill from cow dung (traditional) or clay (modern)
  • Annakut - mountain of food offering to Krishna
  • Family feast with all vegetarian dishes
  • Cattle worship (rural traditions)
  • Krishna aarti + bhajans
  • Vrindavan + Mathura major celebrations
  • Community Annakut at temples

🪔 Day 5: Bhai Dooj / Yama Dwitiya (Tuesday, November 10)

Kartika Shukla Dwitiya. Celebrates sibling bond - sister blesses brother for long life.

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Bhai Dooj Observances

  • Sister applies tilak on brother's forehead
  • Aarti performed for brother
  • Traditional meal cooked by sister
  • Brother gives gift to sister
  • Sister prays for brother's long life
  • Brother promises protection to sister
  • Bengali Bhai Phota similar tradition

Regional Diwali Variations

North India

  • Rama's return to Ayodhya + Diwali coronation
  • Lakshmi puja emphasis
  • Firework tradition (though restrictions increasing)
  • 5-day full observance

West India (Maharashtra + Gujarat)

  • Business new year (Gujarati)
  • Lakshmi puja + business ledger inauguration
  • Vasu Baras (cow worship) day before Dhanteras
  • Padwa (Bali Pratipada) - major Marathi festival

South India

  • Krishna's victory over Narakasura primary theme
  • Naraka Chaturdashi (day before Amavasya) main day
  • Traditional oil bath
  • New clothes emphasis
  • Kandil (lantern) hanging tradition

Bengal

  • Kali Puja on Diwali night (not Lakshmi)
  • Community Kali pandals
  • Grand community celebrations

Firecracker + Environmental Considerations

  • Air pollution concerns - especially Delhi + Mumbai
  • Court restrictions on fireworks in many cities
  • Green crackers alternative
  • Consider skipping crackers with young children/elderly/asthma
  • Traditional Diwali emphasized diyas + rangoli, not fireworks
  • Fireworks are a relatively recent addition
  • Community lamp-lighting more traditional

For NRI Families

  • Home altar Lakshmi puja on Sunday Nov 8
  • Community events at BAPS, HTS, ISKCON temples
  • Business community events + associations
  • Video-call India family during puja
  • Order sweets + samagri from Indian shops 3-4 weeks in advance
  • Diwali gift exchange with friends/colleagues
  • Introduce children to full 5-day observance
  • Fireworks restrictions vary by city - check local rules
  • October 2026 Hindu Festivals Master Calendar
  • Kartika Masam 2026 Complete Guide
  • Diwali 2026 Puja Vidhi + Muhurat
  • Karthika Deepam / Karthigai Deepam 2026
  • Tulasi Vivah 2026
  • Kartika Purnima 2026