November 2026 is the biggest festival month of the Hindu year — opening with the sacred Karthika Pournami (Nov 5), peaking with the magnificent Diwali / Deepavali 5-day cluster (Nov 6-10), continuing through the powerful Chhath Puja (Nov 13-16), and concluding with the auspicious Tulsi Vivah + Vrishchika Sankranti (Nov 17).

Complete November 2026 Hindu Festivals & Vrat Calendar

DateDayFestival / VratSignificance
Nov 1SunKarthika / Devuthani EkadashiVishnu wakes; Chaturmas ends
Nov 5ThuKarthika PournamiMost sacred Karthika day; Deepotsavam
Nov 6FriDhanterasGold/silver buying; Yamadeepam
Nov 7SatNaraka Chaturdashi / Choti DiwaliKrishna kills Narakasura
Nov 8SunDiwali / Lakshmi PujaFestival of lights; Lakshmi blessings
Nov 9MonGovardhan Puja / AnnakutKrishna lifts mountain; 56-dish offering
Nov 10TueBhai Dooj / Bhaiya DoojSister-brother bond
Nov 13FriChhath Puja Day 1 (Nahay Khay)Sun worship begins
Nov 14SatChhath Puja Day 2 (Kharna)Single meal at sunset
Nov 15SunChhath Puja Day 3 (Sandhya Arghya)Evening Surya arghya
Nov 16MonChhath Puja Day 4 (Usha Arghya)Sunrise Surya arghya
Nov 17TueVrishchika Sankranti + Tulsi VivahSun enters Scorpio + Vishnu-Tulsi marriage
Nov 24TueMargashirsha PurnimaFull moon of Margashirsha

1. Karthika Pournami — November 5, 2026 (Thursday)

The most sacred day of Karthika Masam. Deepotsavam (festival of lamps), holy bathing, Vana Bhojanalu. Full guide: Karthika Pournami 2026.

2. Dhanteras — November 6, 2026 (Friday)

Universal day for gold, silver, kitchen utensils, and prosperous home items. Yamadeepam (lamp for Yama) at evening. Full guide: Dhanteras 2026.

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3. Diwali / Lakshmi Puja — November 8, 2026 (Sunday)

The festival of lights — Lakshmi-Ganesh-Saraswati puja in every home; ghee lamps, fireworks, family feasts. Full 5-day guide: Diwali 2026 — Complete 5-Day Festival.

4. Govardhan Puja / Annakut — November 9, 2026 (Monday)

Krishna lifts Mount Govardhan; 56-dish offering (Chappan Bhog). Full guide: Govardhan Puja 2026.

5. Bhai Dooj — November 10, 2026 (Tuesday)

Sister-brother sacred bond; tika muhurat. Full guide: Bhai Dooj 2026.

6. Chhath Puja — November 13-16, 2026

4-day Surya worship; nirjala fasting, arghya at sunset + sunrise. Especially Bihar, UP, Jharkhand + diaspora. Full guide: Chhath Puja 2026.

7. Tulsi Vivah + Vrishchika Sankranti — November 17, 2026

Divine marriage of Tulsi (Vrinda) and Lord Vishnu/Shaligram; marks the official start of the wedding season after Chaturmas. Sun also enters Scorpio (sidereal) on this day. See Tulsi Vivah 2026 and Vrishchika Sankranti 2026.

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NRI Guidance for November 2026

  • Diwali timezones: Diwali falls on Sun Nov 8 in India; check local timezone for puja muhurat. NYC ~9:30 AM EST, LA ~6:30 AM PST, London ~3:30 PM GMT.
  • Dhanteras shopping: Indian grocery stores in USA, UK, Canada stock gold/silver coins, diyas, mithai weeks in advance.
  • Chhath observance abroad: NRI Chhath families in NYC, Chicago, Toronto, London arrange community Chhath Ghats; Hudson, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario hold ceremonies.
  • Bhai Dooj long-distance: Video call tika ceremonies common for NRI siblings.
  • Tulsi Vivah household: Tulsi plant at home is sufficient; ceremony with Vishnu picture/idol and white wedding garland.

Jai Maa Lakshmi | Subh Deepavali | Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya