Quick answer: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) in Kerala is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Diwali is a relatively low-key festival in Kerala, celebrated mainly by Tamil Brahmin and North-Indian communities and in the Palakkad region, with the state’s big festival being Onam. Perform Lakshmi Puja in the pradosh (dusk) window after local sunset — confirm the exact muhurat for Thiruvananthapuram with a local panchang.

Diwali is a relatively low-key festival in Kerala, celebrated mainly by Tamil Brahmin and North-Indian communities and in the Palakkad region, with the state’s big festival being Onam.

How Kerala celebrates Diwali 2026

In Palakkad and among Tamil and North-Indian families, Deepavali is marked with an oil bath, new clothes, sweets and diyas, and Guruvayur and some temples hold special pujas, but the festival is smaller in scale than elsewhere in India.

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Where to celebrate in Kerala

  • Palakkad Tamil-Brahmin agraharams
  • Guruvayur and city temples

Diwali 2026 dates in Kerala

Date

Observance

Friday, 6 November

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Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi)

Saturday, 7 November

Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali

Sunday, 8 November

Diwali · Lakshmi Puja

Monday, 9 November

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Govardhan Puja / Annakut / Balipadyami

Tuesday, 10 November

Bhai Dooj

Lakshmi Puja is done in the pradosh window after sunset on 8 November; because it follows local sunset it shifts by city, so use a panchang set to your town or check today's panchangam.

Frequently asked questions

Is Diwali a big festival in Kerala?

Diwali is relatively low-key in Kerala, where Onam is the major festival; it is celebrated mainly by Tamil-Brahmin and North-Indian communities, especially around Palakkad.

Diwali 2026 — India state guides

Explore Diwali 2026 across India and our wider guides: