Punjab Diwali 2026 Firecracker Rules: Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar Timings for Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas and Gurpurab

Quick answer: Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas both fall on Sunday 8 November 2026. Amritsar has issued its official 2026 order: only green crackers, and on Diwali only from 8 PM to 10 PM; on Gurpurab from 4 AM to 5 AM and 9 PM to 10 PM. As of 25 October 2026 no 2026 timing order found for Ludhiana or Jalandhar, but the Amritsar order follows a Punjab government letter, and Ludhiana used the same Diwali hours in 2025.

Punjab Diwali 2026 cracker timings (Amritsar 2026 order)

Source: order of Pallavi Mishra, IAS, Additional District Magistrate, Amritsar, dated 15 October 2026, under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (PDF; notice page). We read the scanned order ourselves. It also tells SDMs to put up display boards saying crackers on Diwali or any other festival may be used strictly from 8 PM to 10 PM only.

What the Amritsar 2026 order bans

• Making, stocking, distributing, selling or using joined crackers ("series" crackers or laris).
• Storing, displaying or selling crackers made with barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strontium chromate.
• Selling crackers whose noise is above the permitted decibel limits.
• Online orders and online sales of crackers by e-commerce websites, including Flipkart and Amazon, within Punjab.
• All crackers other than green crackers, and dangerous "chemical" crackers such as bombs, aerial crackers and Chinese crackers.

The order makes the police responsible for ensuring crackers are used only at the permitted times and that banned crackers are not sold. If a violation is found, the Station House Officer of the area is held personally liable, as the Supreme Court directed in 2018. It also asks authorities to explore community firecracking at pre-designated open grounds.

Green crackers only in Punjab

Green crackers use CSIR-NEERI formulations with lower emissions. Every genuine box carries the CSIR-NEERI green logo and a QR code. Under the Amritsar order, only green crackers that use no barium salt or the listed toxic compounds are allowed for sale and use in Punjab.

• Scan the QR code before you pay.
• Do not buy bombs, aerial crackers, Chinese crackers or loose crackers.
• Keep the bill from a licensed stall.

Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali in Amritsar

Bandi Chhor Divas marks Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's release from Gwalior Fort and his return to Amritsar; Sikhs and Hindus celebrate it with Diwali on the same day, Sunday 8 November 2026. The illumination at Sri Harmandir Sahib draws very large crowds. Under the 2026 order, crackers may be burst in Amritsar only from 8 PM to 10 PM that day, and never in crowds or narrow lanes around the complex.

For the history, the Golden Temple deepmala and how families celebrate, read Diwali 2026 in Punjab: Amritsar and Bandi Chhor Divas and How Sikhs celebrate Diwali 2026: Bandi Chhor Divas.

Gurpurab, Nagar Kirtans and Shobha Yatras

On Gurpurab the Amritsar order allows crackers from 4 AM to 5 AM and 9 PM to 10 PM. For Shobha Yatras, Nagar Kirtans and Prabhat Pheris it requires a display licence (LE-06 under Rule 113 of the Explosives Rules, 2008) and SDM permission for the stage or place, bans crackers in vehicles in the procession and in densely populated areas, and says crackers should be fired only at the start or end point, at a designated place away from fuel pumps and power lines, with extinguishers and first aid ready.

The national baseline: what applies everywhere in India

Whatever Punjab announces for 2026, a few national rules apply across India. HinduTone read these in the original texts:

• Green crackers only. In Arjun Gopal v. Union of India (judgment of 23 October 2018), the Supreme Court allowed only "improved" and "green" crackers with reduced emissions, and directed that sale be only through licensed traders. CSIR-NEERI (the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) developed the green-cracker formulations and registers manufacturers; genuine green crackers carry the CSIR-NEERI green logo and a QR code.
• Barium salts and joined crackers banned. The same judgment banned barium salts in fireworks and banned the manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers ("series crackers" or "laris").
• No online sales (2018 direction). The 2018 judgment told e-commerce websites not to accept online orders for firecrackers.
• The 8 to 10 PM default. Direction (xiv) of the 2018 judgment limited bursting on Diwali and similar festivals to 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve to 11:55 PM to 12:30 AM, and said this applies throughout India. Some states have asked for, and announced, different two-hour windows; where a state has issued its own order, follow that order.
• Night-time noise limit. Rule 5A(2) of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 (added in 2010) says sound-emitting firecrackers shall not be burst in a silence zone or during night time, which rule 2(j) defines as 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
• Silence zones. Under the same rules, an area of not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions and courts may be declared a silence zone by the state government.
• Police responsibility. The 2018 judgment made the local police responsible for ensuring that fireworks happen only at the permitted times and that banned crackers are not sold, with the Station House Officer personally answerable for violations.

Read the texts: Supreme Court judgment of 23 October 2018 (PDF) and Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, CPCB consolidated text (PDF).

2026: the Supreme Court is hearing the issue again. On 30 September 2026 a bench said it would neither impose a complete ban nor allow round-the-clock fireworks, and would look for "specified time" windows; the Centre also asked it to consider a conditional relaxation for CSIR-NEERI's "next-generation joined green crackers" with reduced barium (reported by DT Next, from PTI, on 30 September 2026). On 12 October 2026 the Chief Justice's bench, hearing the Delhi-NCR pollution case, favoured designated hours and public awareness (reported by The New Indian Express on 13 October 2026). Official texts were not independently checked. As of 25 October 2026 HinduTone found no new order changing the 2018 directions on timings, barium or joined crackers; if the court issues one before Diwali, it will override what is written here.

In October 2025 the Supreme Court (M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, order of 15 October 2025) again allowed only NEERI-approved green crackers for Delhi-NCR, and noted cases where green-cracker QR codes had been sold to unregistered makers. That order was specific to Delhi-NCR, but it is a useful warning everywhere: scan the QR code and buy only from a licensed shop. (Supreme Court order of 15 October 2025, PDF.)

Ludhiana: 2026 status and 2025 history

2026: as of 25 October 2026 we found no 2026 order from the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate; the Ludhiana district website's notices had no cracker item when we checked.

2025 (history): The Tribune reported on 20 October 2025 that Ludhiana police allowed crackers for two hours on Diwali, 8 PM to 10 PM, and for set hours on Gurpurab; that only green crackers without barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strontium chromate could be sold and burst; that crackers could not be bought online; and that Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma said an FIR would be registered for blatant violations (The Tribune, 20 October 2025). (Official text not independently checked by HinduTone.)

Jalandhar: 2026 licences and 2025 history

2026 licences: Additional Deputy Commissioner Amninder Kaur said the district would issue 20 temporary licences for selling crackers by draw at Red Cross Bhawan on 29 October 2026 at 12 noon; online applications run from 21 to 27 October 2026, 9 AM to 4 PM; applicants must be residents of Jalandhar district and at least 18; the temporary stalls will be at a designated site in Rauwali village on Pathankot Road (Dainik Savera Times, 20 October 2026). (Official text not independently checked by HinduTone.)

2025 (history): Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur issued orders under Section 163 of the BNSS allowing sales only from licensed shops, banning crackers at any time in silence zones near hospitals and educational institutions, and banning crackers within the limits of Suchi village and within 500 yards of the Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum oil terminals (True Scoop, 10 September 2025). (Official text not independently checked by HinduTone.)

Weddings and marriage palaces

• Every marriage palace must hold a fireworks licence; the owner is responsible for it.
• There must be a fixed open place for fireworks at least 30 metres from the tent, main road and parking, with no power lines overhead.
• Water and fire extinguishers must be available on the spot.
• The SDM grants permission only after NOCs from the police and the fire brigade.
• Bursting crackers at a wedding without a licence is prohibited.

Source: Amritsar order of 15 October 2026. Other districts follow the same state letter, but check your own district's order.

Police jurisdictions

• Amritsar: Commissionerate of Police, Amritsar (city) and SSP Amritsar Rural; the order is issued by the district magistrate's office.
• Ludhiana: the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate.
• Jalandhar: the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate (city) and Jalandhar Rural police.
• Rest of Punjab: the district magistrate and the SSP.

We do not have separate city pages. In an emergency call 112.

Hospitals, schools and sensitive zones

Under the Noise Rules, sound-emitting crackers may not be burst in a silence zone (at least 100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions and courts, where declared) or between 10 PM and 6 AM. Keep away from gurdwara and temple crowds, fuel stations, oil terminals and cracker stalls.

Housing societies and mohallas

• Choose one open area at ground level, away from parked vehicles and gas lines.
• Burst only between 8 PM and 10 PM on Diwali, with water, sand and an extinguisher ready.
• No crackers on rooftops, balconies or in narrow lanes.
• Keep a quiet space for elderly residents, babies, people who are unwell and pets.
• Buy together from one licensed stall so every box can be QR-checked.

12 safety tips for Diwali night

1. Buy only from a licensed shop and keep the bill. Check for the CSIR-NEERI green logo and scan the QR code on the box.
2. Burst crackers only in an open space, away from parked vehicles, dry leaves, thatched roofs, gas cylinders and electric lines.
3. Keep a full bucket of water and a bucket of sand nearby. Put used sparklers and duds straight into the water.
4. Wear close-fitting cotton clothes. Avoid loose silk or synthetic saris, dupattas and kurtas near flames.
5. Children must always be supervised by an adult. Give younger children only hand-held sparklers, held at arm's length.
6. Light crackers with a long agarbatti or incense stick, at arm's length, and step back at once. Never lean over a cracker.
7. Never relight a dud. Wait several minutes, then soak it in water.
8. Never burst crackers inside a home, on a balcony, in a stairwell or in a car park, and never throw them at people or animals.
9. Keep pets indoors in a quiet room; street dogs, cows and birds are badly frightened by loud bursts.
10. People with asthma, heart conditions, newborns and older relatives are best kept indoors with windows closed.
11. For a burn, cool it under clean running water for several minutes and seek medical help. Do not apply ice, toothpaste or oil.
12. Know the emergency numbers: 112 (all emergencies), 101 (fire) and 108 (ambulance in most states).

Eco-friendly ways to celebrate

In Punjab, Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas are celebrated with deepmala, ardas, langar and lamps on every rooftop. Some ideas:

• Light clay diyas with sesame or ghee, and fill the doorway with rangoli, kolam or muggulu made from rice flour and flower petals.
• Choose a short, shared community display in a permitted open space instead of many separate bursts in every lane.
• Use sky-safe lights: LED strings, paper lanterns (akash kandil) and torans of fresh mango leaves and marigolds.
• Spend the evening on Lakshmi Puja, a family aarti and sweets with neighbours; it is the heart of the festival.
• If you buy crackers, buy fewer, choose green crackers with a valid QR code, and avoid high-noise bombs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the firecracker timings in Amritsar for Diwali 2026?

The Additional District Magistrate's order of 15 October 2026 allows crackers only from 8 PM to 10 PM on Diwali and on Bhagwan Valmiki Pargat Diwas, from 4 AM to 5 AM and 9 PM to 10 PM on Gurpurab, and from 11:55 PM to 12:30 AM on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. It is in force until 14 December 2026.

Is the timing the same on Bandi Chhor Divas?

Bandi Chhor Divas falls on the same day as Diwali, Sunday 8 November 2026, so the Diwali window of 8 PM to 10 PM applies in Amritsar under the 2026 order. Follow the instructions of the police and sevadars near Sri Harmandir Sahib, where crowds are very large.

What are the cracker timings in Ludhiana and Jalandhar?

As of 25 October 2026 we found no 2026 timing order for Ludhiana or Jalandhar. In 2025, The Tribune reported on 20 October, Ludhiana police allowed crackers from 8 PM to 10 PM on Diwali. The Amritsar order follows a Punjab government letter that applies across the state, so expect the same hours.

Are only green crackers allowed in Punjab?

Yes. The Amritsar 2026 order says only green crackers, made without barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strontium chromate, are allowed for sale and use in Punjab, and bans joined (series) crackers and online sales.

How do I get a temporary cracker shop licence in Jalandhar?

For 2026 the Jalandhar administration announced 20 temporary licences, with online applications from 21 to 27 October 2026 and a draw on 29 October at Red Cross Bhawan; applicants must live in Jalandhar district and be at least 18, and the stalls will be at Rauwali village on Pathankot Road (Dainik Savera Times, 20 October 2026).

Can we burst crackers at a wedding in Punjab?

Only with a licence. The Amritsar 2026 order says every marriage palace must hold a fireworks licence, keep a fixed open place at least 30 metres from the tent, main road and parking, keep water and extinguishers ready, and get SDM permission after police and fire NOCs.

Whom do I call to report illegal cracker sales or a fire?

Call 112 for any emergency in Punjab, or 101 for the fire service.

Official sources

• Amritsar ADM order of 15 October 2026 (PDF)
• Amritsar district website: notice on the order
• Ludhiana district official website
• Jalandhar district official website
• Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)
• Supreme Court of India: Arjun Gopal v. Union of India, judgment of 23 October 2018 (PDF)
• Supreme Court of India: M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, order of 15 October 2025 (PDF)
• CPCB: Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 (PDF)
• CSIR-NEERI (green crackers)
• PESO: Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (fireworks licences)

The PPCB website did not load from our server on 25 October 2026. News reports used on this page:

• Dainik Savera Times, 20 October 2026: Jalandhar licence draw
• The Tribune, 20 October 2025: Ludhiana timings (history)
• True Scoop, 10 September 2025: Jalandhar Police Commissioner's order (history)

Last verified: 25 October 2026. Editor's note (25 October 2026): Amritsar's 2026 order was published on 15 October; no 2026 Ludhiana or Jalandhar timing order had been published when we checked.

Disclaimer: This page is general information for families, not legal advice. Rules are set by the state government, the pollution control board, the police and the courts, and they can change at short notice, often only days before Diwali. Always follow the latest official notice for your area. If in doubt, ask your local police station.

Also read: firecracker rules in other Indian states and cities

• Delhi Diwali 2026 firecracker rules
• Mumbai and Maharashtra Diwali 2026 firecracker rules
• Hyderabad Diwali 2026 firecracker rules
• Telangana Diwali 2026 firecracker rules
• Pune Diwali 2026 firecracker rules and timings
• Bengaluru and Karnataka Diwali 2026 firecracker rules
• Mysuru Diwali 2026 firecracker rules
• Chennai and Tamil Nadu Deepavali 2026 firecracker rules
• Kolkata and West Bengal Diwali and Kali Puja 2026 firecracker rules
• Andhra Pradesh Diwali 2026 firecracker rules
• Gujarat Diwali 2026 firecracker rules (Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot)
• Rajasthan Diwali 2026 firecracker rules (Jaipur)
• Uttar Pradesh Diwali 2026 firecracker rules (Lucknow, Varanasi)
• Bihar Diwali and Chhath 2026 firecracker rules (Patna)
• Kerala Deepavali 2026 firecracker rules and timings
• Diwali 2026: complete 5-day guide, dates and Lakshmi Puja muhurat
• Eco-friendly, cracker-free Diwali 2026: ideas for families
• Diwali cracker safety: protecting people, street dogs and birds