Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the night of Kartik Amavasya. The five-day festival begins with Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November and ends with Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, 10 November.
If you are planning travel, shopping or a family puja, the dates below are the ones most Panchang sources agree on. The one thing that does change from city to city is the exact puja timing, so we explain how to check that properly instead of quoting a single time that would be wrong for half the country.
Quick answer: Diwali 2026 dates
| Day | Date | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Friday, 6 November 2026 | Dhanteras |
| Day 2 | Saturday, 7 November 2026 | Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) |
| Day 3 | Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Diwali, Lakshmi Puja |
| Day 4 | Monday, 9 November 2026 | Govardhan Puja |
| Day 5 | Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | Bhai Dooj |
Why is Diwali later this year?
Last year's Diwali fell in the third week of October. This year it is almost three weeks later. The reason is the Hindu calendar, which is lunisolar: months follow the moon, but the calendar is kept in step with the solar year by adding an extra month (Adhik Maas) every two to three years. This year's extra month came earlier, around May and June, which pushes every later festival, including Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali, further down the Gregorian calendar.
It is the same mechanism that makes Diwali move between mid-October and mid-November across the years. It is not an error and it is not a political decision.
What happens on each day
Dhanteras (6 November)
The first day is associated with prosperity and health. Many families buy something new, traditionally gold, silver, utensils or, increasingly, appliances and vehicles. If you are planning to buy jewellery, read our guide on how to check gold purity with the BIS hallmark and HUID before you pay.
Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali (7 November)
Observed the day before Diwali. In many homes this is when diyas are first lit, rangoli is made and the house is cleaned in preparation. Some regions treat this day as the main festive day, with an early-morning oil bath.
Diwali and Lakshmi Puja (8 November)
The main day. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening after sunset, in the Pradosh Kaal window, on the Amavasya night. Homes and shops are lit with diyas and lamps.
Govardhan Puja (9 November)
Marks the day Krishna is said to have lifted the Govardhan hill. In many north Indian homes this is celebrated with Annakut, a large offering of different foods. In Gujarat and parts of western India this day is also the start of the new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar.
Bhai Dooj (10 November)
Sisters pray for their brothers' long life and brothers give gifts in return. It is the closing day of the five-day cycle.
Lakshmi Puja timing: why you should check locally
You will see different "muhurat" times quoted on different websites. That is normal. Puja timings depend on sunset time in your city and on how a particular Panchang calculates the Pradosh Kaal and the Amavasya overlap. For reference, sources we checked place the evening window roughly between 5:45 PM and 8:30 PM, but the exact start and end differ by source and by city.
What to do: pick one trusted Panchang (your family priest, a local temple, or a well-known calendar), enter your city, and follow that. Do not mix times from different websites. If you are in a small town, expect your local time to differ from the Delhi figure by 10 to 30 minutes.
Simple Diwali puja checklist
- Clean the house and the puja area a day or two before.
- Diyas, cotton wicks and oil or ghee, with a few spares.
- Idols or pictures of Lakshmi and Ganesha, a clean cloth or chowki to place them on.
- Flowers, roli, rice (akshat), sweets and fruits for the offering.
- Coins or the family's account books if your family follows that tradition.
- A fire-safe place for lamps, away from curtains and decorations.
Money and tax points people forget
- Bonus is taxable. A Diwali bonus from your employer is part of your salary income, so tax is deducted like the rest of your pay.
- Gifts from relatives are not taxed. Gifts from specified relatives are exempt without a limit. Gifts from non-relatives above ₹50,000 in a financial year can be taxable in your hands, under the Income-tax rules at the time of writing.
- Employer gifts have a small limit. Non-cash gifts from an employer are generally not taxed if their value stays under ₹5,000 in a year. Cash and gift vouchers are treated differently, so check with your payroll team.
- Bank holidays differ by state. Do not assume your branch is closed on every one of the five days. Check the RBI holiday list for your state before planning a bank visit.
Prices of gold and silver move daily around Dhanteras, so we have not quoted any rate here. Check a live rate on the day you buy.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Sunday, 8 November 2026.
When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Friday, 6 November 2026.
When is Bhai Dooj in 2026?
Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
Is Choti Diwali on the same day as Diwali?
No. Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) is the day before the main Diwali day, on 7 November in 2026.
Why do Diwali dates change every year?
Because the festival follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It always falls on the new-moon night of the month of Kartik, but that night lands on a different Gregorian date each year.
What is the exact Lakshmi Puja time?
It depends on your city and the Panchang you follow. Use your local Panchang rather than a single time from the internet.
Sources to verify
- Panchang calendars such as Drik Panchang for city-wise tithi and muhurat.
- Reserve Bank of India for the state-wise bank holiday list.
- Income Tax Department for the current rules on gifts and perquisites.
Dates in this article were checked against several published Panchang sources on 7 October 2026. Local customs and timings vary, so confirm with your own family priest or local calendar.
