When Is Diwali in 2026? Date, Puja Timings, and Festival Calendar

Diwali is known as the festival of lights, where the kitchens are filled with the aroma of festive treats, homes light up with diyas, and families come together to celebrate. In 2026, Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November. Also known as Deepavali, the festival is observed through prayers, decorations, family gatherings, and the exchange of sweets and gifts. Because it follows the Hindu lunar calendar, the date changes every year. If you’re planning, here’s a look at the Diwali date, Lakshmi Puja timings, Amavasya Tithi, and the five days of celebrations.

When Is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November 2026, across many parts of India. The festival falls on Amavasya, or the new-moon day associated with the Hindu lunar calendar. For many families, the day includes Lakshmi Puja, lighting diyas, preparing festive food, and welcoming relatives home.

The date changes every year as the Hindu calendar follows lunar cycles rather than fixed Gregorian dates. As a result, Diwali usually falls in October or November. Knowing the date beforehand makes it easier to plan festive shopping, family visits, travel, and other preparations.

Why Is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali holds different meanings across religious communities, but its celebrations often centre on hope, prosperity and the victory of good over evil. The stories associated with the festival also explain why lighting lamps remains such an important tradition.

In many Hindu households, Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya with Goddess Sita and Lakshmana after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana. It is said that the people of Ayodhya welcomed them by lighting rows of lamps. This tradition continues today, with families placing diyas around their homes and decorating their doorways with rangoli.

It is also strongly connected to the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. From the point of view of the Jains, the festival marks the day when Lord Mahavira attained salvation or nirvana. Sikhs observe Bandi Chhor Divas during this period, which marks Guru Hargobind Ji's release from prison.

Diwali 2026 Puja Timings and Shubh Muhurat

A key part of Diwali is the Lakshmi Puja ritual. The ritual involves worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and Lord Ganesha for wisdom and an auspicious start. Preparations may include cleaning the prayer space, decorating, making sweets, and lighting diyas before starting the ritual.

Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Diwali 2026 varies by city, based on panchang calculations. As Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November, people can look up their city's suggested evening timing for the ritual. Before beginning the puja, it helps to check:

• Lakshmi Puja muhurat: Find the recommended time for performing the prayers in your city.
• Amavasya Tithi: Check when the new-moon lunar day begins and ends.
• Pradosh Kaal: Note the evening period around sunset, which is traditionally associated with Lakshmi Puja.
• Puja samagri: Arrange the flowers, diyas, sweets, and other offerings you plan to use.

Diwali 2026 Calendar: Dates for All Five Days

Diwali celebrations traditionally span five days, each with its own rituals and significance. The festivities begin with Dhanteras and continue through the main Diwali celebrations, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Some regions also observe additional traditions, such as Vasubaras in Maharashtra.

Diwali 2026 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat in Different Cities

The recommended time for Lakshmi Puja varies across India. Sunset times and local panchang calculations affect the auspicious window, so check the timings for your city.

Whether you’re celebrating in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, or another city, use a location-specific calendar rather than a single timing for the whole country.

The following timings are listed for Sunday, 8 November 2026:

Who Celebrates Diwali?

Diwali is celebrated by several religious and cultural communities in India and around the world. Its significance differs across traditions, but the festival is often marked by prayer, festive food, lights, and time spent with loved ones.

• Hindus: Many Hindu communities believe that Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya. During Diwali, Hindus light diyas, perform Lakshmi Puja, decorate their homes, and give sweets and gifts.
• Jains: Diwali signifies the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Mahavira. This day is celebrated by engaging in prayers and meditations.
• Sikhs: Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas during Diwali, a festival that commemorates Guru Hargobind Ji's release from captivity. On this day, the Golden Temple of Amritsar is lit up with lights.
• Some Buddhist communities: Some Buddhist communities, especially Newar Buddhists in Nepal, celebrate a festival during this season.
• People from diverse backgrounds: Many people join Diwali celebrations for their cultural significance, enjoying community events, festive meals, decorative lights, and the tradition of exchanging gifts.

How Is Diwali Celebrated in Different Parts of India?

Diwali traditions look different across the country. While diyas, prayers, and festive meals are common, each region brings its own food, customs, and ways of celebrating.

Diwali Celebrations in North India

In many regions of Northern India, Diwali is celebrated with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. People decorate their homes with diyas and rangoli, offer Puja to Goddess Lakshmi, and also make sweet snacks for their guests. People also shop in markets for new clothes and decorations.

Diwali Celebrations in Maharashtra

Diwali celebrations in Maharashtra include Vasubaras, Dhanteras, Lakshmi Puja, Diwali Padwa, and Bhaubeej. People prepare faral, a collection of occasional snacks, and take an Abhyang Snan, a ritual oil bath during Naraka Chaturdashi.

Diwali Celebrations in South India

In some parts of South India, Naraka Chaturdashi is a significant Diwali festival. People may start the day with an oil bath, put on new clothes, prepare special dishes, and pray. The rituals vary by state and family.

Diwali Celebrations in West Bengal

In West Bengal, Kali Puja is an important part of Diwali celebrations. People pay homage to Goddess Kali, and lighting is central to home and temple decorations.

How Is Diwali Celebrated Internationally?

Diwali is celebrated in many countries outside India, particularly in communities with Hindu and other South Asian cultural traditions. The scale of the festivities and local customs vary, but lighting lamps, preparing traditional food, and gathering with loved ones remain familiar parts of the celebration.

• Indonesia: Hindu communities in Bali observe religious festivals and traditions that may include lamps and festive decorations. Local customs differ from those followed in India.
• Malaysia: Known as Hari Deepavali, Diwali is a public holiday for the country’s Hindu community. Families visit temples, wear festive clothes, prepare traditional dishes and welcome friends and relatives into their homes.
• Fiji: Diwali is celebrated by many Indo-Fijian families with prayers, sweets, gifts and decorated homes. Schools and community groups may also organise cultural programmes.
• Nepal: The related festival of Tihar spans several days and honours animals, including cows and dogs, alongside other religious traditions. Homes are decorated with lamps and flowers, and Bhai Tika celebrates the sibling bond.
• Guyana: Diwali is a national holiday and an important celebration for the country’s Hindu community. Prayers, decorated homes, and community gatherings mark the occasion.
• Sri Lanka: Hindu Tamil communities celebrate Deepavali with prayers, new clothes, sweets, and family visits.
• Mauritius: Families widely celebrate Diwali by lighting lamps, preparing traditional treats, and sharing festive meals with relatives and neighbours.

Why Choose FNP for Diwali Gifts?

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Dates of Diwali for 5 Years (2024 to 2028)