When is Diwali 2026? Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat & 5-Day Festival Calendar
In 2026, Main Diwali (Badi Diwali and Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja) will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Across India and around the world, the five-day festival of lights (Deepotsav) begins on Friday, 6 November 2026 with Dhanteras and concludes on Tuesday, 10 November 2026 with Bhai Dooj. Because main Deepavali falls on a Sunday in 2026, families, students, and working professionals get an extended festive weekend to gather, decorate their homes with marigold torans and floor rangolis, and celebrate together—both in person and inside our free 3D Diwali Mela Online browser fairground.
Complete 5-Day Diwali 2026 Calendar & Tithi Schedule
According to the Kartik Maas Hindu Panchang, each of the five days of Diwali carries its own sacred mythology, customs, and auspicious rituals. Here is the day-by-day schedule for November 2026:
Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi & Yama Deepam)
Dhanteras marks the official commencement of the five-day Diwali festival. On this day, households clean and purify their homes and business premises to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber, the celestial treasurer. Devotees also worship Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician who emerged during the Samudra Manthan carrying the pot of Amrit, praying for lifelong health and vitality. Purchasing gold, silver coins, brass diyas, or new kitchen utensils on Dhanteras is considered highly auspicious. At dusk, families light the first earthen clay lamp—the Yama Deepam—facing south outside their main gate to ward off untimely misfortune.
Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi / Kali Chaudas / Roop Chaudas)
Celebrated the day before Amavasya, Choti Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna and Satyabhama over the tyrant demon Narakasura, freeing sixteen thousand captives and restoring dharma. Early in the morning before sunrise, many regions observe the tradition of Abhyanga Snan using fragrant ubtan and sesame oil. By evening, courtyards are adorned with colourful gulal rangoli patterns and fourteen glowing terracotta diyas placed in every corner of the house.
Badi Diwali · Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja & Deepotsav
Sunday, 8 November 2026 is the principal night of Deepavali. It celebrates the joyous return of Lord Rama, Mata Sita, and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and the victory over Ravana, when the citizens of Ayodhya illuminated the entire kingdom with rows of earthen oil lamps (Deepavali). Families dress in festive ethnic attire, perform Lakshmi-Ganesh-Saraswati Puja during Pradosh Kaal, share boxes of Kaju Katli and Motichoor Ladoo, light sparklers (phuljhari), and exchange heartfelt blessings.
Govardhan Puja, Annakoot & Bali Pratipada (Gujarati New Year / Bestu Varas)
The fourth day honors Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Parvat on his little finger to shelter the villagers and cattle of Braj from Lord Indra's torrential rains. Devotees prepare Annakoot—a grand mountain of fifty-six vegetarian delicacies (Chhappan Bhog) offered to the deity. In western India, this day is celebrated as Padwa and Bestu Varas, when merchants open new ledger books (Chopda Pujan).
Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej / Bhai Phonta / Yama Dwitiya)
The five-day mahotsav concludes with Bhai Dooj, celebrating the sacred bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. According to legend, Yamraj visited his sister Yamuna on the second day after the new moon, and she welcomed him with a tilak and festive meal. Sisters apply vermilion tilak on their brothers' foreheads, perform aarti, and pray for their prosperity and longevity.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat on Sunday, 8 November 2026
According to traditional Vedic astrology, performing Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja during Pradosh Kaal (the period just after sunset) when the steady Vrishabha Lagna (Taurus Ascendant) prevails is the most auspicious window for inviting lasting prosperity into your home:
- Pradosh Kaal Lakshmi Puja Window: 05:54 PM to 08:26 PM IST (Sunday, 8 November 2026)
- Vrishabha Kaal (Auspicious Sthira Lagna): 06:02 PM to 07:58 PM IST
- Amavasya Tithi Timing: Begins on the morning of 8 November 2026 and prevails throughout Pradosh Kaal evening rituals.
How to Celebrate Diwali 2026 Online with Family & Friends
If you are studying in a college hostel, working in a different city, or living abroad away from your hometown, you don't have to spend Diwali evening alone scrolling through your phone. Enter Diwali Mela Online right in your browser with zero download. You can walk to the central 7 Diyas Deepotsav Mandap, ring the brass temple bell, perform the golden Maha-Aarti, paint a 25-piece floor rangoli, release a floating wish sky lantern with your family's name, and send a custom invitation link to your loved ones on WhatsApp!