Diwali Celebrations in Cambodia 2026: A Detailed Breakdown

Quick answer: Diwali 2026 in Cambodia is on Sunday 8 November 2026. According to Drik Panchang for Cambodia, Dhanteras is Friday 6 November, Narak Chaturdashi is the morning of Sunday 8 November, Lakshmi Puja is the evening of Sunday 8 November (sunset in Phnom Penh about 5:33 PM), Govardhan Puja is Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj is Wednesday 11 November. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, Diwali is about three weeks later than last year.

Cambodia has a small but close-knit Indian community, along with Nepali, Sri Lankan, Malaysian and Singaporean Hindus and many visitors. Diwali here is mostly a home and community festival rather than a public spectacle, but it is celebrated in a land whose greatest monuments were built as Hindu temples. This guide covers the 2026 dates, puja timing, how to celebrate at home, food, and the remarkable Angkor connection to the Diwali story.

Diwali 2026 dates in Cambodia

Cambodia follows the same tithi pattern as India and the rest of Southeast Asia in 2026: Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja fall on the same day, Monday 9 November is a gap day, and Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj follow on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lakshmi Puja timing in Phnom Penh

Lakshmi Puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset — confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang. Do not use a muhurat printed for India and simply shift the clock; the planetary timing depends on your location. If you are in Siem Reap, Battambang or Sihanoukville, sunset differs slightly, so check your own city before you begin.

Diwali and Cambodia's Hindu heritage

For a thousand years and more, Hindu kingdoms shaped the culture of the Khmer lands. The great temple of Angkor Wat, built in the twelfth century, was originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and temples across the Angkor region honour Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Banteay Srei, with its delicate pink sandstone carvings, was dedicated to Shiva, and the riverbed carvings at Kbal Spean show rows of Shiva lingas and Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta.

One carving has a direct link to Diwali. The long bas-relief of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthan) at Angkor Wat shows devas and asuras pulling the serpent Vasuki around Mount Mandara. In the Puranic story, this churning brought forth Dhanvantari carrying the pot of amrit, who is worshipped on Dhanteras, and Goddess Lakshmi herself, who is worshipped on Diwali night. For Hindus living in Cambodia or visiting during the festival season, seeing this panel is a moving way to connect the festival with the land.

Today most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists, and many old Hindu sites are now places of Buddhist worship. Visit respectfully: dress modestly, remove shoes and hats where asked, and follow local customs.

How the Indian community celebrates

Diwali is not a public holiday in Cambodia, so celebrations are organised by families, community associations, the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh and, in some years, hotels and restaurants. Typical activities include a community Lakshmi Puja, bhajans, cultural performances, rangoli and diya-lighting, and a shared dinner. Programmes, venues and dates are announced close to the festival and change from year to year, so check with the Embassy and local Indian community groups for 2026 details. We do not list 2026 events until organisers confirm them.

In Siem Reap and coastal towns, where Hindu families are fewer and more spread out, many households celebrate at home or come together for a shared puja and potluck. If you are visiting, ask at Indian restaurants or your hotel whether anything is planned.

The five days at home

Dhanteras (Friday 6 November)

Clean the home thoroughly, buy something new for the household (a steel or brass utensil, or a small piece of gold or silver if you wish) and light a diya at the entrance after sunset in honour of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari. See our Dhanteras 2026 guide.

Narak Chaturdashi (Sunday 8 November, morning)

Rise before sunrise for an oil bath (abhyanga snan), wear fresh clothes and remember Krishna's victory over Narakasura. More in our Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 guide.

Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Sunday 8 November, evening)

After sunset, perform Ganesha and Lakshmi puja at your home altar, light diyas in every room and at the door, and share sweets. Our Lakshmi Puja 2026 guide explains the full vidhi.

Govardhan Puja (Tuesday 10 November)

Offer a spread of vegetarian dishes (Annakut) to Krishna in memory of his lifting Govardhan hill, then share it as prasad. See Govardhan Puja 2026.

Bhai Dooj (Wednesday 11 November)

Sisters apply tilak and pray for their brothers; brothers give gifts. Siblings living in different countries often do the ritual over a video call. See Bhai Dooj 2026.

A simple Lakshmi Puja for expat homes

• Clean the altar area and spread a red or yellow cloth on a low table
• Place Ganesha and Lakshmi murtis or pictures, with a kalash of water topped with mango or betel leaves and a coconut
• Arrange flowers, rice grains, kumkum, turmeric, sweets, fruit and a few coins or notes
• Light a ghee lamp and incense, worship Ganesha first, then Lakshmi with flowers and the mantra "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah"
• Perform aarti with camphor, offer the sweets as naivedya and share them as prasad
• Light diyas at the entrance, windows and balcony

Puja items such as diyas, incense, kumkum and camphor can be harder to find in Cambodia. Indian grocery shops in Phnom Penh may stock them; otherwise bring supplies from home or from a trip to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Local markets sell candles, flowers, banana leaves, coconuts and fresh fruit, which work beautifully for the altar. Lotus flowers, sold widely in Cambodia for Buddhist offerings, are especially fitting for Lakshmi, who is traditionally shown seated on a lotus.

Diwali food in Cambodia

Indian restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap make it easy to order samosas, sweets and a festive thali, but many families still cook at home. A Diwali menu that works with local ingredients might include:

• Coconut barfi or coconut ladoo, using fresh Cambodian coconut and palm sugar in place of jaggery
• Rice kheer or payasam with cardamom and cashews
• Besan ladoo and simple milk sweets
• Samosas, pakoras and chakli for guests
• Puri with potato curry, dal and seasonal vegetables on the puja day
• Tropical fruit platters with mango, banana, papaya and dragon fruit for offering and sharing

Cambodian palm sugar (from the sugar palm, a national symbol) has a rich caramel taste that suits Indian sweets very well, and it makes a thoughtful Diwali gift to share with Khmer friends and neighbours.

Practical tips for celebrating in Cambodia

• Early November is usually the end of the rainy season; plan outdoor diyas in sheltered spots and keep candles in glass holders
• Fireworks and open flames may be restricted in apartments and hotels; check with your building management and use LED diyas where needed
• Invite Khmer colleagues and neighbours: the story of light over darkness and the shared Hindu-Buddhist heritage make Diwali easy to explain
• If you are travelling to Angkor around Diwali, combine the visit with time at the Churning of the Ocean of Milk panel
• Keep in touch with family abroad: dates differ slightly by country, and our guide to
• Diwali 2026 in Australia, UAE and Singapore
• covers neighbouring diaspora hubs

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026 in Cambodia?

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday 8 November 2026 in Cambodia. Dhanteras is Friday 6 November, Govardhan Puja is Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj is Wednesday 11 November, according to Drik Panchang for Cambodia.

What time is Lakshmi Puja in Phnom Penh?

Lakshmi Puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. Sunset in Phnom Penh on 8 November 2026 is about 5:33 PM. Confirm the exact muhurat for Phnom Penh on Drik Panchang; do not use a muhurat calculated for India.

Is Diwali a public holiday in Cambodia?

No. Diwali is not a public holiday in Cambodia. In 2026 the main day falls on a Sunday, which makes home puja and community gatherings easier for working families.

Are there Diwali events in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap in 2026?

Community celebrations in Cambodia are usually organised by the Indian community, its associations and the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, and some hotels and restaurants offer festive menus. Programmes are announced close to the date, so check with the Embassy and local Indian community groups for 2026 details.

Why is Diwali later in 2026?

The Hindu lunar calendar adds an extra month roughly every three years. 2026 has one, so Diwali falls about three weeks later than it did last year.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

This guide has been fully revised for 2026. Dates follow Drik Panchang for Cambodia and the sunset time is local to Phnom Penh. We have removed last year's event listings, venues, timings and attendance figures because they cannot be confirmed for 2026; please check with the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh and local community groups for this year's programmes. Shubh Deepavali!

Related guides

• Diwali 2026: dates, rituals and significance
• Diwali 2026 in Australia, UAE and Singapore
• Dhanteras 2026
• Lakshmi Puja 2026
• Bhai Dooj 2026
• November 2026 Hindu festival calendar