Diwali 2026 in Qatar: Lakshmi Puja Muhurat for Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah and Al Khor

Quick answer: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2026 in Qatar is on Sunday 8 November. In Doha, the Lakshmi Puja window is 5:13 PM – 7:11 PM (Qatar time). Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November, with the Dhanteras puja in Doha at 5:21 PM – 7:18 PM. In Qatar, 8 November is the first day of the working week, so plan the puja for when you get home from work.

Editor's note: Updated 10 October 2026. The local times on this page were calculated by HinduTone using the Drik Panchang method (Pradosh Kaal with the Vrishabha lagna) for each city's own sunset. They have been checked against Drik Panchang for major world cities to within one to two minutes. Qatar stays on Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3) all year, with no daylight saving. We give event details only when an organiser has announced them. Please confirm the timing with your priest, community association or family pandit before the day.

Diwali in Qatar has its own rhythm. There is no holiday for it, the weekend is Friday and Saturday, and Hindu worship happens mainly at home and in programmes run by Indian community associations. In 2026 Dhanteras falls on the Friday weekend, and Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday evening, after the first working day of the week. This guide gives the exact window for Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah and Al Khor, and shows how families fit the festival around office hours, school runs and apartment living.

Diwali 2026 in Qatar: the five days

In India's calendar the Amavasya tithi runs from 11:27 AM IST on Sunday 8 November to 12:31 PM IST on Monday 9 November. So the new moon covers Qatar's evening on Sunday 8 November in every city. Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj are the dates in India; local associations may announce their own day.

The main night celebrates Rama's return to Ayodhya and welcomes Lakshmi into a clean, bright home. Narak Chaturdashi remembers Krishna's victory over Narakasura, and Bali Pratipada recalls King Bali and Vishnu's Vamana avatar. Jains mark Mahavira's nirvana at this time, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas.

Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026, city by city

Times below are local Qatar time (Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3). They were calculated by HinduTone using the Drik Panchang method (Pradosh Kaal with the Vrishabha lagna), checked against Drik Panchang for major world cities to within one to two minutes. Confirm with your temple priest or community pandit.

Qatar is small, so the windows are almost identical. Sunset on 8 November is at 4:49 PM in Doha, Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah and 4:48 PM in Al Khor. On Dhanteras sunset is at 4:50 PM, or 4:49 PM in Al Khor.

What Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha lagna mean

Pradosh Kaal is the twilight period of about two and a half hours after sunset, when lamps are lit. In Doha on Diwali it is 4:49 PM – 7:24 PM.

Vrishabha lagna is the time when the zodiac sign Taurus (Vrishabha) is rising on the eastern horizon. It is a 'fixed' (sthira) sign, and worship done while it rises is believed to make Lakshmi stay in the home. The Lakshmi Puja window in the table is the part of the evening when Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha lagna overlap. In Doha that is 5:13 PM – 7:11 PM. If you cannot start inside it, any time in Pradosh Kaal is still traditional. Don't simply shift India's muhurat by two and a half hours: the sunset and rising sign are different in Qatar.

The Hindu community in Qatar

Indians are the largest expatriate community in Qatar. India's Ministry of External Affairs puts the community at around 830,000 people in its India–Qatar brief dated 19 July 2026. The same brief describes Indians working across medicine, engineering, education, finance, banking, business and media, as well as a large number of blue-collar workers. It also counts about 60,000 Indian students in 19 Indian schools. These figures cover all Indians in Qatar, of every faith. There is no official count of Hindus, so we do not give one.

The community comes from every corner of India, and its associations show it. Among the groups named in this guide are Maharashtrian, Gujarati, Bengali, Odia, Tamil and North Indian associations, and there are many more. So Diwali in Qatar takes many forms. Tamil and Kannada families begin with the oil bath and Deepavali sweets. Gujarati families keep Kali Chaudas, open new account books and celebrate the New Year. Maharashtrian households hang a kandil and make a killa (fort) for the children. Bengali families keep Kali Puja on the same new moon.

Community life is organised through four apex bodies that, the MEA brief notes, work under the aegis of the Embassy of India. They are the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), the Indian Sports Centre (ISC) and the Indian Business & Professionals Council (IBPC). Most state and language associations are affiliated to the ICC, which is why a Diwali programme in Qatar is usually run by an association rather than a temple.

Where to celebrate: temples and community organisations

We could not confirm any public Hindu temple in Qatar from an official listing, so we do not name one. The organisations below have been confirmed through the Indian government or established Qatari newspapers. We give name and area only. Temples and community associations usually announce Diwali programmes from mid-October, so check their websites and social pages. None of the events below is a 2026 announcement; they show what these groups have done in past years.

Doha

Most Indian associations are based in Doha. The city's Lakshmi Puja window is 5:13 PM – 7:11 PM.

• Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) — Doha. The apex cultural body of the Indian community, working under the aegis of the Embassy of India. Most regional associations are affiliated to it, so it is the first place to ask about community Diwali programmes.
• Maharashtra Mandal Qatar (MMQ) — Doha. Described as affiliated to the Embassy of India. In past years it has held Diwali celebrations with rangoli, kandeel and clay-lamp competitions for children and adults, along with a fort-model contest and music.
• Bangiya Parishad Qatar (BPQ) — Doha. A Bengali socio-cultural association, which celebrated Diwali together with its 25th anniversary in 2021.
• North Indians' Association (NIA) — Doha. In past years it has hosted a Diwali evening called Deepotsav for member families and guests.
• Gujarati Samaj Qatar (GSQ) — Doha. The Gujarati community association, which has organised Navaratri celebrations and is a natural contact for Gujarati New Year and Diwali gatherings.

Al Rayyan

Al Rayyan, the municipality west of central Doha, shares Doha's Lakshmi Puja window of 5:13 PM – 7:11 PM. Families here usually join the Doha-based associations above rather than separate local bodies. We could not confirm a Hindu organisation registered specifically in Al Rayyan, so we do not list one.

Al Wakrah and Al Wukair

Al Wakrah, south of Doha, has the same Lakshmi Puja window of 5:13 PM – 7:11 PM. The neighbouring Al Wukair area has hosted Indian community events. Utkalika Qatar, the Odia association, held its Diwali celebration in 2019 in a school auditorium in Al Wukair, with lamp-lighting, folk dances and a children's programme. Qatar Tamizhar Sangam, an associate organisation of the ICC, held its Tamil cultural festival at the same Al Wukair venue in June 2026.

Al Khor

Al Khor, on the north-east coast, has the earliest Lakshmi Puja window in Qatar, 5:12 PM – 7:09 PM. Families here usually celebrate at home and travel to Doha for association programmes at the weekend. We could not confirm a Hindu organisation based in Al Khor, so we do not list one.

Celebrating at home in Qatar

For most Hindu families in Qatar, home is the temple on Diwali night. A short Lakshmi Puja that fits a working Sunday evening:

• Clean the home in the days before, ideally over the Friday–Saturday weekend, and make a rangoli at the door or on the balcony floor.
• Set up a small altar facing east or north: a red or yellow cloth, an image or murti of Lakshmi and Ganesha, a kalash with water, mango or betel leaves and a coconut.
• Begin with Ganesha: light a diya, offer flowers and akshat (unbroken rice), and say a short Ganesh prayer.
• Worship Lakshmi with kumkum, flowers, sweets and coins or jewellery. Chant the Lakshmi mantra or read the Shri Suktam if you know it.
• Families with a business or account books can do Chopda / Sharda Puja at the same time, worshipping new ledgers or a laptop.
• Finish with aarti, distribute prasad, and light lamps at the entrance and windows.

For the full step-by-step vidhi with mantras, see our Lakshmi Puja 2026 guide.

Diyas in apartments: many families live in apartment towers or compounds with central fire alarms. Keep one or two oil or ghee diyas at the altar on a metal tray, never unattended, and use LED lights for balconies and windows. Camphor and incense smoke can trigger detectors, so open a window and keep the aarti away from the ceiling detector. Never cover a smoke alarm.

Tenancy and compound rules: read your lease and building rules before you decorate. Buildings may limit what hangs from balconies or in shared corridors, so keep decorations inside your unit unless the building manager agrees.

Weather: early November is when Qatar's cooler season begins. Days are still warm and sunny, but evenings are pleasant enough to sit out on a balcony or in a compound garden. Rain is rare. Sunset is just before five o'clock, so it is dark by the time the Lakshmi Puja window opens.

Food and decorations you can find locally

Doha has a large network of Indian supermarkets, hypermarkets, grocers and sweet shops, and smaller stores serve Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah and Al Khor. In past years, shops and hypermarkets in Doha were crowded before Diwali with families buying lamps, rangoli colours, flowers and sweets. Jewellers see heavy footfall for Dhanteras gold and silver buying. Expect to find clay diyas, wicks, ghee, kumkum and haldi, camphor, puja thalis, rangoli powder, toran and kandil lanterns, marigold garlands, and boxed mithai and dry fruits.

Fresh marigolds and banana leaves sell out in the last days, so buy flowers on Saturday 7 November. Many families make sweets at home, from Gujarati ghughra and Maharashtrian chakli to Tamil murukku and Bengali sandesh.

Diwali with children and second-generation families

School and work week: In Qatar the working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, and the government has said this structure will not change. There is no public holiday for Diwali, so Sunday 8 November is a normal working and school day, and so is the rest of the week. Indian schools in Qatar set their own calendars, so check your school's circular for any Diwali break or celebration day. Since Dhanteras and Kali Chaudas fall on the weekend, use Friday and Saturday for cleaning, rangoli and diya-painting with the children, and keep Sunday's puja short for a school night.

Keeping heritage languages alive: children in Qatar often grow up speaking English at school and Arabic around them, with Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada or Telugu at home. Diwali is a good time to teach a short prayer, aarti or Lakshmi shloka in your own language, tell the stories of Rama, Krishna and Narakasura, and Bali in your own words, and record grandparents singing over a video call. Ask your state association whether it runs language classes or children's cultural programmes.

Fireworks, safety and local rules

Rules on fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns and open flames in Qatar are set by the national authorities, including the Ministry of Interior and Civil Defence. We have not been able to open an official page setting out the current rules, so we do not quote them here. Check the official guidance before buying or using anything that burns or explodes. Do not import, store or set off fireworks or release sky lanterns unless you are sure it is allowed. Keep celebrations inside your home or at an approved venue run by a recognised association.

• Keep real flames indoors on a non-flammable surface, with water or an extinguisher nearby.
• Keep loose dupattas, sarees and children's clothing away from diyas.
• Do not overload sockets with decorative lights.

Celebrating far from family

Many people in Qatar spend Diwali away from parents, siblings or children. Some ideas:

• Join a video call with family in India for their aarti. India is two and a half hours ahead, so their Lakshmi Puja usually ends before yours begins. You can watch theirs, then do your own puja in your Qatar muhurat.
• Watch live online darshan from your family's temple in India, or share a simple puja with roommates who are also away from home.
• Do seva: the Embassy of India works with community organisations to help blue-collar workers and anyone in distress, and Diwali is a good time to donate, volunteer or share food. Give only through recognised channels.
• Send sweets or gifts to family in India early, and plan Bhai Dooj calls for Wednesday 11 November.

Diwali checklist for Qatar

• Note your city's Lakshmi Puja window: Doha, Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah 5:13 PM – 7:11 PM; Al Khor 5:12 PM – 7:09 PM.
• Dhanteras on Friday 6 November (weekend): puja in Doha at 5:21 PM – 7:18 PM, and buy gold, silver or a steel utensil.
• Plan around work: Sunday 8 November is a working and school day in Qatar.
• Buy flowers and fresh items on Saturday 7 November.
• Check your school's circular for any Diwali activity or break.
• Ask your association or the ICC about Diwali programmes from mid-October.
• Read your building's rules on decorations and open flames.
• Use LED lights for balconies; keep diyas indoors and watched.
• Keep camphor and incense away from smoke detectors.
• Do not use fireworks or sky lanterns unless you are sure they are permitted.
• Book a video call with family in India around their aarti.
• Set aside something for seva or a donation through a recognised channel.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026 in Qatar?

Lakshmi Puja, the main Diwali night, is on the evening of Sunday 8 November 2026 in every city in Qatar. Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November. Because Qatar's working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, Diwali night falls after the first working day of the week, while Dhanteras falls on the Friday weekend.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Doha?

In Doha the Lakshmi Puja window on Sunday 8 November 2026 is 5:13 PM – 7:11 PM, inside the Pradosh Kaal of 4:49 PM – 7:24 PM. Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah share the same Lakshmi Puja window, and Al Khor is one to two minutes earlier at 5:12 PM – 7:09 PM. These are calculated by HinduTone using the Drik Panchang method; confirm with your community priest or association.

Is Diwali a public holiday in Qatar?

No Diwali holiday is listed by the Qatari government for 2026. Sunday 8 November is a normal working and school day, and the rest of that week is a normal working and school week. Most families plan the puja for the evening after work, and save bigger gatherings for the Friday and Saturday weekend.

Is there a Hindu temple in Qatar where I can do Lakshmi Puja?

We could not confirm any public Hindu temple in Qatar from an official listing, so this guide does not name one. Lakshmi Puja in Qatar is usually done at home, and Diwali gatherings are organised by Indian community associations working with the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) under the Embassy of India. Ask your association what it has planned.

Can I simply convert India's Lakshmi Puja time into Qatar time?

No. The muhurat depends on local sunset and on the rising sign (lagna) at your own location. India is two and a half hours ahead of Qatar, but shifting India's window by that amount gives the wrong result. Use the Qatar times on this page, which were calculated for Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah and Al Khor.

Can we light fireworks or sky lanterns for Diwali in Qatar?

Fireworks and open flames are regulated by the Qatari authorities. Do not buy, store or set off fireworks or release sky lanterns unless you are sure it is permitted, and check the official guidance of the Ministry of Interior and Civil Defence. Diyas, candles in safe holders and electric lights at home are the usual way Qatar's families celebrate.

Related guides

• Diwali / Deepavali 2026: complete 5-day guide
• The 5 days of Diwali 2026 explained
• Lakshmi Puja 2026: date, muhurat and vidhi
• Diwali 2026 celebrations in Dubai and the UAE
• Diwali 2026 in Bahrain: Lakshmi Puja muhurat city by city
• Diwali 2026 in Saudi Arabia: Lakshmi Puja muhurat city by city
• Dussehra 2026 in Qatar, city by city

Sources

• Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India: India–Qatar Bilateral Relations (brief dated 19 July 2026)
• The Peninsula: Friday 'working day' rumours baseless: CGB President (7 Oct 2025)
• The Peninsula: Maharashtrian food and cultural fiesta held in Doha (23 Sep 2021)
• The Peninsula: Maharashtra Mandal Qatar celebrates Diwali (Nov 2012)
• Gulf Times: Bangiya Parishad Qatar marks anniversary (18 Nov 2021)
• Gulf Times: NIA celebrates Diwali (3 Nov 2022)
• Gulf Times: GSQ celebrates Indian festival (14 Oct 2022)
• Qatar Tribune: Utkalika Qatar celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Light (21 Nov 2019)
• Gulf Times: QTS hosts grand Tamizhar Kalai Vizha (18 Jun 2026)
• Gulf Times: Asian communities celebrate Diwali (5 Nov 2021)
• The Peninsula: Expat Indian families in Qatar keep traditions alive this festive season (30 Oct 2024)
• Muhurat: HinduTone calculation (Drik Panchang method)