Diwali—or Deepawali if you prefer the classic name—remains the biggest festival across India. It symbolises light over darkness and good defeating evil. In 2026, the main event falls on Sunday, November 8. Families will clean their homes, light diyas, and draw colourful rangoli. You know how it goes: worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, followed by eating way too many sweets with relatives.
Here’s the thing, though. Diwali isn’t just a single day. It stretches over five distinct celebrations. We start with Dhanteras and move through Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Oddly enough, exact ritual dates depend on your local Hindu panchang. Regional customs vary quite a bit across the country.
Looking for exact dates, Lakshmi Puja muhurats, and city timings? We’ve got you covered. This guide details key dates, city schedules, traditional preparations, and answers common questions.
Diwali 2026: Date and Important Timings
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The main worship focuses on Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja. In New Delhi, the recommended Lakshmi Puja muhurat runs from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM. The Pradosh Kaal window for New Delhi lasts from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM. Meanwhile, the Amavasya tithi starts at 11:27 AM on November 8 and ends at 12:31 PM on November 9.
Drik Panchang published these exact timings for New Delhi. However, calculated puja timings shift depending on your location. You shouldn’t automatically follow Delhi’s timing if you live elsewhere. Always double-check your local city entry before starting your rituals.
5 Days of Diwali 2026: Full Festival Calendar
The core Diwali festival covers five major observances. In 2026, the celebration actually spans six calendar days. That’s because lunar tithis rarely align with our midnight-to-midnight clock. Roughly 80% of Indian households adjust their daily routines around these shifting lunar hours.
| Festival | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Friday, November 6 | Worship of Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi; buying utensils, gold, or silver items. |
| Kali Chaudas / Choti Diwali | Saturday, November 7 | Regional observances, lighting protection lamps, and driving away negative energy. |
| Naraka Chaturdashi & Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, November 8 | Morning ritual bath, followed by the main evening Lakshmi-Ganesha worship. |
| Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Tuesday, November 10 | Honouring Lord Krishna’s protection; preparing large food offerings for the community. |
| Bhai Dooj | Wednesday, November 11 | Celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters through tilak rituals. |
A quick heads-up: festival names and dates can conflict between different panchangs. Some regional calendars place Choti Diwali on November 7. Others align the Naraka Chaturdashi tithi with the morning of November 8. Our table separates local observances from strict astronomical tithis so you don’t get confused.
To cross-check your dates, visit Drik Panchang, AstroSage, or the Government of India’s official Utsav portal.
Diwali 2026 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: City-Wise Timings
Lakshmi Puja takes place during an auspicious evening window. Most traditional panchangs track Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Kaal to find the ideal time. Because sunset varies by geography, puja muhurats change from city to city. What works in Kolkata won’t match Mumbai’s schedule.
| City | Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (November 8, 2026) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 5:54 PM – 7:50 PM |
| Chandigarh | 5:52 PM – 7:46 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:27 PM – 8:27 PM |
| Pune | 6:24 PM – 8:24 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:20 PM – 7:18 PM |
| Bengaluru | 6:17 PM – 8:20 PM |
| Chennai | 6:07 PM – 8:09 PM |
| Hyderabad | 6:07 PM – 8:08 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 6:22 PM – 8:20 PM |
| Jaipur | 6:03 PM – 7:59 PM |
| Gurugram | 5:55 PM – 7:51 PM |
| Noida | 5:54 PM – 7:49 PM |
All listed times reflect local city time. These figures originate from standard panchang data. It’s always smart to double-check them right before the festival. If your city isn’t listed, simply use a local panchang tailored to your precise location.
Diwali 2026 Puja Timings in Punjab
Across Punjab, people celebrate with bright lights, decorated markets, family gatherings, and evening prayers. Every household has its own family traditions, but local timing still matters. If you live in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, or Patiala, don’t just rely on Chandigarh’s schedule. Small longitudinal differences change the exact muhurat minutes.
According to Satvikly’s published panchang data, Amritsar’s timings are:
- Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Lakshmi Puja muhurat: 5:58 PM to 7:52 PM
- Pradosh Kaal: 5:35 PM to 8:15 PM
These values come from third-party calculations. Cross-reference them with your local temple calendar before committing to your family schedule.
Why Do Diwali Puja Timings Differ From City to City?
People often ask why different websites list varying Lakshmi Puja times for different locations. It feels confusing, but astronomical math explains it clearly.
- Local sunset time: The sun sets at different moments across India’s width. The evening puja window depends directly on your local sunset.
- Pradosh Kaal shifts: This period starts right after sunset. Naturally, its exact timing shifts from city to city.
- Vrishabha Kaal and lagna: Panchangs look for the Vrishabha lagna period to fix the best puja window. That calculation depends heavily on geographic coordinates.
- Amavasya tithi tracking: Diwali hinges on the Amavasya lunar day. Lunar tithis start and end based on moon phases, not calendar midnight.
- Regional traditions: Different almanacs prioritize slightly different ritual rules. That creates small variations in recommended timings.
Because of these factors, always look up your specific city. Relying on a blanket national timing isn’t accurate.
What Is Pradosh Kaal on Diwali?
Pradosh Kaal is the evening period starting immediately after sunset. Most panchangs consider it the most favourable window for performing Lakshmi Puja. For New Delhi on November 8, 2026, Pradosh Kaal runs from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM. However, the recommended Lakshmi Puja muhurat is shorter, spanning 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM.
This distinction is crucial. Pradosh Kaal and the recommended Lakshmi Puja muhurat are not the exact same thing. You should aim to perform your prayers within the specific puja window recommended by your family priest or local panchang.
How to Perform Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja on Diwali
Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja forms the heart of Diwali for millions of families. Customs vary across households, but this standard guide covers the core traditional steps.
- Clean and decorate the home: Thoroughly clean your worship space first. Decorate your entrance with fresh flowers, diyas, and colourful rangoli.
- Prepare the puja area: Place idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on a raised platform. Cover the platform with a clean red or yellow cloth.
- Arrange the puja samagri: Keep your thali ready before the muhurat starts. Include diyas, ghee, cotton wicks, flowers, kumkum, haldi, akshat, incense, sweets, and coins.
- Begin with Lord Ganesha: Always pray to Lord Ganesha first. Seek his blessings for an auspicious start and the removal of all obstacles.
- Worship Goddess Lakshmi: Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to Goddess Lakshmi. Recite traditional mantras, family prayers, or the Lakshmi Aarti.
- Light diyas safely: Place burning diyas around your home and entrance. Keep open flames away from curtains, paper decorations, and loose clothing.
- Conclude with aarti and prasad: Finish the ceremony by performing aarti together. Distribute sweet prasad among all family members.
This outline provides a general setup rather than strict scriptural instructions. For complex rituals, consult your family priest.
Dhanteras 2026: Date, Significance and Traditions
Dhanteras marks the worship of Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Families consider it exceptionally lucky to buy metals on this day. Gold sales in India routinely surge by 20% to 30% during this single festival session.
In 2026, Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6. If you want to buy gold, silver, or utensils at a specific moment, check your local panchang for the exact auspicious purchase window.
Choti Diwali and Naraka Chaturdashi 2026
Choti Diwali and Naraka Chaturdashi overlap in most traditions, but timing gets tricky when a lunar tithi splits across two civil dates. For 2026, several published calendars mark Choti Diwali observances on Saturday, November 7. However, the official Naraka Chaturdashi tithi bath occurs on the morning of Sunday, November 8.
Naraka Chaturdashi celebrates Lord Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura. People perform early morning oil baths, light small oil lamps, and offer family prayers. Check your local calendar to confirm whether your morning bath falls on Saturday or Sunday.
Govardhan Puja 2026: Date and Significance
Govardhan Puja honours Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rains. Devotees prepare Annakut—a large feast featuring over 56 distinct food items—to offer at temples and home altars.
For 2026, Govardhan Puja is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10. Local custom determines whether you perform the puja in the morning or early evening, so check local temple notices.
Bhai Dooj 2026: Date and Significance
Bhai Dooj celebrates the protective, loving bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply a sacred tilak to their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life. In return, brothers offer gifts and pledge protection. Retail gift sales typically jump by 15% across major Indian cities during this week.
In 2026, Bhai Dooj falls on Wednesday, November 11. Follow your family’s standard schedule for applying tilak and exchanging gifts.
Diwali 2026: Safety Tips for Families
Festivities are great, but keeping everyone safe matters most. Emergency calls related to minor burn injuries rise by nearly 15% during festive nights. A few basic precautions keep the holiday enjoyable for everyone.
- Keep diyas away from curtains, furniture, and loose fabrics.
- Never leave burning candles or oil lamps unattended in empty rooms.
- Store matches, lighters, and firecrackers well out of children’s reach.
- Follow local municipal rules regarding firecracker usage and noise curfews.
- Keep pets in a quiet, enclosed room to protect them from loud noises.
- Ensure main doors and emergency exits remain free of decorative blockages.
- Inspect outdoor decorative lights for frayed wiring before plugging them in.
- Be mindful of elderly family members, infants, and noise-sensitive neighbours.
You can easily build a bright, welcoming environment without putting your home at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diwali 2026
When is Diwali in 2026?
The main Diwali celebration and Lakshmi Puja take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
What are the five days of Diwali in 2026?
The five core days are Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. In 2026, shifting lunar tithis spread these five observances across six calendar dates.
What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Delhi in 2026?
In New Delhi, the recommended Lakshmi Puja muhurat lasts from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Mumbai in 2026?
For Mumbai, the primary puja window runs from 6:27 PM to 8:27 PM on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
What is the Diwali puja time in Chandigarh?
Chandigarh’s recommended puja window runs from 5:52 PM to 7:46 PM on November 8, 2026. Other cities across Punjab should consult their own local listings.
Is Choti Diwali on November 7 or November 8 in 2026?
It depends on your regional calendar. Many calendars list Choti Diwali on November 7, while the Naraka Chaturdashi morning bath tithi falls on November 8.
Why does Lakshmi Puja muhurat change from city to city?
Puja timings depend on local sunset times, regional planetary positions, and the exact moment the Amavasya tithi begins in your coordinate area.
Where can I check the exact Diwali puja timing for my city?
Consult a location-based panchang like Drik Panchang or speak directly with your local temple priest.
Final Words
Diwali 2026 promises several days of joyful worship, family reunions, and festive cheer, anchored by Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, November 8. Every single day—from Dhanteras through Bhai Dooj—holds unique cultural weight. Just remember to check your city’s exact timings before setting up your altar. A local panchang makes all the difference when planning your rituals. May this festive season bring health, peace, and abundance to your entire home.
