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Diwali Dates 2026: Complete 5-Day Festival Calendar, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat and Celebration Guide

Introduction : 5 Days Of Diwali Dates

Diwali dates 2026 : Diwali is one of India’s most loved festivals, bringing families, friends and communities together through lights, traditional food, prayers and celebrations. Every year, millions of people begin preparing for this special occasion weeks in advance. From cleaning and decorating homes to purchasing new clothes, gold, electronics and gifts, Diwali creates an atmosphere of excitement across the country.

If you are planning your celebrations, knowing the Diwali dates 2026 will help you organize everything in advance. Whether you are interested in religious rituals, family gatherings, festive shopping or holiday planning, understanding the five-day Diwali calendar makes preparation easier.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, represents the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Although customs differ between regions, the central message remains the same: welcome positivity, share happiness and begin new things with hope.

In this guide, you will find the expected five-day Diwali calendar for 2026, the significance of each day, traditional celebrations, shopping suggestions and useful preparation tips.

Diwali Dates 2026: Complete Festival Calendar

Diwali celebrations traditionally extend across five days. Each day has a different religious and cultural significance.

Here is the festival calendar for 2026: 5 days of diwali dates

Festival	Date	Day
Dhanteras	November 6, 2026	Friday
Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)	November 7, 2026	Saturday
Lakshmi Puja (Diwali)	November 8, 2026	Sunday
Govardhan Puja	November 10, 2026	Tuesday
Bhai Dooj	November 11, 2026	Wednesday

Important: Festival observances can differ according to regional Panchang calculations and local traditions. In 2026, Naraka Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja fall on the same civil date in the commonly followed Indian calendar. Confirm the final ritual timings with a reliable local Panchang before publishing or planning your puja.

1. Dhanteras 2026 – November 6, Friday

Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Diwali festival. The name comes from two Sanskrit-derived words: Dhan, meaning wealth, and Teras, referring to the thirteenth lunar day.

This day is associated with Lord Dhanvantari, who is traditionally worshipped as the divine provider of health and Ayurveda. Goddess Lakshmi is also worshipped for prosperity and financial well-being.

Many Indian families consider Dhanteras an auspicious occasion to purchase gold, silver, utensils and other useful household items.

Popular Dhanteras activities

Buying gold and silver jewellery.
Purchasing new utensils for the kitchen.
Cleaning and decorating the entrance of the house.
Lighting traditional diyas.
Performing Dhanteras puja.
Shopping for home appliances and electronics.

For people planning major purchases, festive shopping offers can make this period attractive. However, compare the final price, warranty, exchange value and payment conditions before making a purchase.

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2. Naraka Chaturdashi – Saturday, November 7

Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi / Kali Chaudas): Saturday, November 7, 2026

Naraka Chaturdashi is also known as Choti Diwali. According to Hindu tradition, this day celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.

The festival carries a message of removing negativity and welcoming a fresh beginning.

In several parts of India, people wake up early, take a traditional oil bath and wear new clothes. Homes are cleaned and decorated, and families prepare sweets and festive meals.

How people celebrate Choti Diwali

Taking an early morning traditional bath.
Wearing new or traditional clothes.
Decorating entrances with rangoli.
Lighting diyas in the evening.
Preparing homemade sweets and snacks.
Visiting relatives and exchanging festive greetings.

Choti Diwali is also a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to traditional stories and family customs.

3. Lakshmi Puja 2026 – November 8, Sunday

Lakshmi Puja is one of the most important parts of Diwali celebrations. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, the symbol of wealth, prosperity and good fortune. Lord Ganesha is also worshipped for wisdom and the removal of obstacles.

Families clean their homes, decorate entrances, prepare puja arrangements and light diyas to welcome prosperity.

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026

The exact Lakshmi Puja Muhurat depends on the city’s sunset time, local Panchang calculations and the Pradosh period.

For accurate information, check the Lakshmi Puja Muhurat for your city rather than relying on a single national timing.

Before performing the puja, arrange the following items:

Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha idols or pictures.
Flowers and garlands.
Kumkum, turmeric and rice.
Incense sticks and a traditional diya.
Fruits and sweets.
Coins and other traditional offerings.
A clean puja thali.

Diwali home decoration ideas

A beautifully decorated home adds to the festive atmosphere.

Some popular decoration options include:

Traditional clay diyas arranged around the entrance.
Colourful rangoli designs near the main door.
Marigold flower garlands.
Decorative paper lanterns.
Energy-efficient LED fairy lights.
Handcrafted torans and festive wall decorations.

For apartments, rechargeable LED diyas and battery-operated decorative lights can be practical alternatives where open flames are unsuitable.

4. Govardhan Puja 2026 – November 10, Tuesday

Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the day after Diwali in many Hindu traditions, although the exact observance can vary according to the regional calendar.

The festival commemorates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from heavy rainfall.

Devotees prepare different vegetarian dishes and offer them to Lord Krishna. This offering is popularly known as Annakut, meaning a mountain of food.

Important traditions of Govardhan Puja

Worshipping Lord Krishna.
Preparing traditional vegetarian food.
Offering Annakut or Chappan Bhog.
Decorating temples and homes.
Sharing food with family and community members.

The festival also reminds people to respect nature and appreciate the importance of food, agriculture and the environment.

5. Bhai Dooj 2026 – November 11, Wednesday

Bhai Dooj celebrates the special relationship between brothers and sisters. It is an occasion for family reunions, blessings and exchanging gifts.

Traditionally, sisters apply a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their happiness and long life. Brothers express their affection by giving gifts and spending quality time with their sisters.

Popular Bhai Dooj gift ideas

Personalised photo frames.
Watches and accessories.
Clothing and fashion products.
Chocolates and sweet hampers.
Skincare and grooming gift sets.
Electronic accessories.
Personalised gift cards.

A thoughtful gift does not necessarily need to be expensive. Something connected to shared memories can make the occasion more meaningful.

How Diwali Is Celebrated in Different Parts of India

India’s cultural diversity makes Diwali celebrations particularly interesting. Different regions follow their own traditions and rituals.

North India: Diwali is widely associated with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. Homes are decorated with diyas, and families perform Lakshmi Puja.

Maharashtra: Celebrations often begin with Vasu Baras, followed by Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Padwa and Bhau Beej. Traditional snacks and faral are an important part of the festivities.

Gujarat: Diwali is associated with Lakshmi Puja and the beginning of a new financial year for many business communities. The New Year, known as Bestu Varas, follows Diwali.

West Bengal: Kali Puja is an important celebration during the Diwali period. Devotees worship Goddess Kali with special rituals and decorations.

South India: Naraka Chaturdashi holds particular importance in several communities. Early morning oil baths, traditional food and temple visits are common customs.

Diwali Shopping Guide 2026: What Should You Buy?

Diwali is one of India’s major shopping periods. Retailers, online marketplaces and local businesses offer seasonal promotions across different product categories.

Here are some popular shopping categories to consider:

Shopping Category	Popular Products
Gold and jewellery	Gold coins, silver articles, jewellery
Electronics	Smartphones, televisions, laptops
Home appliances	Refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners
Home decoration	LED lights, diyas, lanterns, wall décor
Fashion	Ethnic wear, sarees, footwear
Gifting	Corporate hampers, sweets, personalised gifts
Automobiles	Cars, two-wheelers and accessories

Tips for finding the best Diwali shopping offers

Compare prices across multiple sellers.
Check whether advertised discounts are genuine.
Read product reviews before purchasing.
Understand return and replacement policies.
Compare credit card discounts and EMI charges.
Check the final price, including delivery and installation fees.

If you are planning to buy a car during Diwali, compare the ex-showroom price, on-road price, insurance premium, dealer benefits and loan interest rate. A low monthly EMI does not always mean a cheaper car purchase.

How to Celebrate an Eco-Friendly Diwali in 2026

Festivals become more meaningful when celebrations are enjoyable and responsible.

Here are a few simple ways to reduce environmental impact:

Use reusable LED decorative lights.
Choose natural flowers and leaves for decoration.
Avoid excessive plastic packaging.
Prefer locally made clay diyas.
Reduce noisy and polluting firecrackers.
Reuse gift boxes and decorative materials.
Prepare homemade sweets to reduce unnecessary packaging.

An eco-friendly Diwali does not mean giving up traditions. It simply means making thoughtful choices while celebrating.

Diwali 2026 Preparation Checklist

Planning ahead can save both money and time.

Two to three weeks before Diwali:

Prepare your shopping budget.
Plan home cleaning.
Order gifts and decorative items.
Arrange clothes for family members.

One week before Diwali:

Purchase sweets and ingredients.
Prepare rangoli materials.
Test decorative lights.
Organise puja essentials.

One day before Lakshmi Puja:

Complete the final cleaning.
Arrange the puja area.
Prepare decorations.
Organise gifts and sweets.

On Diwali:

Wear festive clothes.
Perform Lakshmi Puja at the locally appropriate time.
Light diyas safely.
Spend time with family.
Share sweets and happiness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali or Lakshmi Puja is observed on Sunday, November 8, 2026, according to the commonly followed Indian festival calendar.

2. What are the five main Diwali dates in 2026?

The main observances are Dhanteras on November 6, Naraka Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja on November 8, Govardhan Puja on November 10 and Bhai Dooj on November 11. Regional Panchang traditions may differ.

3. When is Dhanteras in 2026?

Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, 2026.

4. When is Choti Diwali in 2026?

Naraka Chaturdashi, commonly called Choti Diwali, is observed on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in the commonly followed calendar.

5. What is the date of Lakshmi Puja in 2026?

Lakshmi Puja will be observed on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The exact puja muhurat depends on the location.

6. When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?

Govardhan Puja is listed for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, subject to regional Panchang observance.

7. When is Bhai Dooj in 2026?

Bhai Dooj falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in the commonly followed calendar.

8. Is Diwali a public holiday in India in 2026?

Diwali is generally observed as a public or restricted holiday in many parts of India. The official holiday status depends on the state and employer. Check the applicable government holiday list.

9. What should I buy on Dhanteras?

Gold, silver, utensils and useful household products are popular choices. Choose purchases according to your budget rather than buying something simply because it is considered auspicious.

10. How can I celebrate Diwali in an apartment?

Use LED diyas, decorative lights, flower rangoli and reusable decorations. Follow your apartment society’s fire-safety rules and avoid placing open flames near curtains or electrical equipment.

Conclusion

Diwali 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate happiness, family relationships, traditions and new beginnings. From Dhanteras shopping to Lakshmi Puja and the joyful occasion of Bhai Dooj, every part of the festival has its own importance.

Knowing the Diwali dates 2026 in advance makes it easier to organise celebrations, plan purchases and spend meaningful time with loved ones.

Whether you celebrate with traditional diyas, beautiful rangoli, homemade sweets or thoughtful gifts, the real spirit of Diwali lies in sharing happiness and spreading positivity.

May this Diwali bring peace, prosperity, good health and success to every home.

Happy Diwali 2026!