दिवाली (Diwali)

In India, the main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja date in 2026 is Sunday, 8 November. Drik Panchang lists it for New Delhi and the Government of India IIRS holiday calendar lists the same date. The five-day festival runs from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj.

भारत में मुख्य दिवाली और लक्ष्मी पूजा 2026 में रविवार, 8 नवंबर को है। Drik Panchang नई दिल्ली के लिए यही तारीख देता है और भारत सरकार के IIRS अवकाश कैलेंडर में भी यही तारीख है। पाँच दिनों का पर्व धनतेरस से भाई दूज तक चलता है।

Bharat mein main Diwali aur Lakshmi Puja 2026 mein Ravivar, 8 November ko hai. Drik Panchang New Delhi ke liye yahi tareekh deta hai aur Government of India ke IIRS holiday calendar mein bhi yahi tareekh hai. Paanch dinon ka parv Dhanteras se Bhai Dooj tak chalta hai.

When is Diwali?

Kartika Amavasya in the North-Indian (purnimanta) calendar, Ashwin Amavasya in amanta calendars; Lakshmi Puja is held in the evening, when the Amavasya covers the pradosh period.

उत्तर भारतीय (पूर्णिमांत) पंचांग में कार्तिक अमावस्या, अमांत पंचांग में आश्विन अमावस्या; लक्ष्मी पूजा शाम को होती है, जब प्रदोष काल में अमावस्या हो।

Dates can differ by a day in other places and traditions. For your city, check a local panchang or your temple calendar.

What to read

Puja outline

  1. Settle and prepare: place the thali and offerings within reach, and light a lamp only on a stable, heat-safe surface.
    तैयारी करें: थाली और पूजा-सामग्री पास रखें, और दीपक केवल स्थिर, सुरक्षित जगह पर जलाएँ।
  2. Begin with Ganesh remembrance; many Diwali sequences place Ganapati worship before Lakshmi worship.
    गणेश स्मरण से आरंभ करें; कई दिवाली पूजा-क्रमों में लक्ष्मी पूजन से पहले गणपति पूजन होता है।
  3. Offer Lakshmi Puja with roli, akshat, flowers, incense and the lamp according to your tradition.
    अपनी परंपरा के अनुसार रोली, अक्षत, फूल, धूप और दीपक से लक्ष्मी पूजन करें।
  4. Offer bhog: sweets, fruit or the food customarily prepared in your household.
    भोग लगाएँ: मिठाई, फल या आपके घर में परंपरा से बनने वाला भोजन।
  5. Perform Aarti: Om Jai Lakshmi Mata and Jai Ganesh Deva.
    आरती करें: ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता और जय गणेश देवा।
  6. Conclude according to your practice, and move the lamp only when it is safe to do so.
    अपनी परंपरा के अनुसार समापन करें, और दीपक तभी हटाएँ जब यह सुरक्षित हो।

A simple household outline. Customs differ by family, region and tradition; follow your own tradition or priest where it differs.

Samagri for this puja

Practical items for the puja, linked to Valkala product guides.

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Detailed guides

Diwali 2026 date

Main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja fall on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Drik Panchang lists that date for New Delhi, and the Government of India IIRS holiday calendar independently confirms the civil date; both were rechecked on 21 September 2026. Festival dates follow a lunar tithi rather than beginning at midnight, so a reliable calendar should name its location and method.

The five days, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj

Diwali is a sequence rather than a single day: Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas or Naraka Chaturdashi, main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Because the days follow tithis, two observances can share a civil date and a day can fall between them, and "Chhoti Diwali" names Kali Chaudas in some regions and Naraka Chaturdashi in others. The five days of Diwali guide gives the 2026 New Delhi sequence and what each day marks; the Dhanteras guide covers the first day in detail.

Lakshmi Puja timing

The principal Lakshmi-Ganesh puja is an evening observance, and its clock time changes by city. The Lakshmi Puja vidhi and muhurat guide explains how the window is chosen and gives the sourced New Delhi timing; the Diwali Puja Chart turns that one reference into a checklist. For any other city, check a trusted local Panchang.

What is optional and what varies

Fasting, new idols, account-book worship, coins, particular mantras and elaborate sixteen-step offerings belong to some traditions but are not compulsory for every household. Follow health needs and your own tradition, and use ordinary fire safety with lamps and the Akhand Jyot.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali in 2026?

In India, main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja fall on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Drik Panchang lists that date for New Delhi, and the Government of India IIRS holiday calendar also lists Diwali on 8 November.

What are the five days of Diwali?

The festival sequence runs from Dhanteras through Kali Chaudas or Naraka Chaturdashi, main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja, and Govardhan Puja to Bhai Dooj. The days follow lunar tithis, so two observances can share one civil date or a day can fall between them. The five days of Diwali guide gives the 2026 New Delhi sequence and what each day marks.

Which day is Chhoti Diwali?

The name Chhoti Diwali is used differently across regions: some use it for Kali Chaudas and others for Naraka Chaturdashi. Follow the label and date used by your local Panchang or family tradition.

Is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat the same in every city?

No. The clock-time window depends on location. This page establishes the 2026 festival dates; for a time-sensitive Lakshmi Puja, use a trusted local Panchang and the separate Valkala guide explaining how the evening window is chosen.