Diwali 2026: Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, 5-Day Calendar & How to Celebrate Diwali is a major Hindu festival observed across the country and overseas (celebrated by Indians living abroad). In 2026, the festival falls on 8 November (Sunday). The blog explains important highlights of Deepawali in 2026, the correct muhurat for Diwali puja 2026, Diwali 2026 dates in other nations, Lakshmi puja timing (muhurat) and the worship of the deity Lakshmi and details on each of the days of Diwali  (Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Diwali, Govardhan, Bhai Dooj).

Important note: Diwali, Deepawali, Divali are same terms, used for the festival of light- DIwali.

When is Diwali in 2026?

In 2026, Diwali is on 08th of November (Sunday). Here are the key dates and muhurat of Diwali 2026:
  • Diwali in 2026– 08 November, 2026.
  • Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 05:54 PM to 07:50 PM
  • Duration – 01 Hour 56 Mins
  • Pradosh Kaal – 05:31 PM to 08:09 PM
  • Vrishabha Kaal – 05:54 PM to 07:50 PM
  • Amavasya Tithi Begins – 11:27 AM on Nov 08, 2026
  • Amavasya Tithi Ends – 12:31 PM on Nov 09, 2026
This is the window for the New Delhi region. For exact muhurat details, check a trusted local panchang of your city. You can also see the table below to confirm the Diwali puja timing in your city.

City-wise Diwali 2026 Dates and Muhurat: Diwali Puja Timings

City 

 Date Lakshmi Puja Muhurat Pradosh Kal

Vrisabh Kal
Pune 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 06:24 PM to 08:24 PM  05:59 PM to 08:31 PM 06:24 PM to 08:24 PM
Chennai 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 06:06 PM to 08:09 PM 05:40 PM to 08:09 PM 06:06 PM to 08:09 PM
Jaipur 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 06:03 PM to 07:59 PM 05:40 PM to 08:16 PM 06:03 PM to 07:59 PM
Hyderabad 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 06:07 PM to 08:08 PM 05:42 PM to 08:13 PM 06:07 PM to 08:08 PM
Gurgaon 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 05:55 PM to 07:51 PM 05:32 PM to 08:10 PM 05:55 PM to 07:51 PM
Chandigarh 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 05:52 PM to 07:46 PM 05:30 PM to 08:09 PM 05:52 PM to 07:46 PM
Kolkata 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 05:20 PM to 07:18 PM 04:56 PM to 07:29 PM 05:20 PM to 07:18 PM
Mumbai 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 06:27 PM to 08:27 PM 06:02 PM to 08:34 PM 06:27 PM to 08:27 PM
Bangaluru 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 06:17 PM to 08:20 PM 05:51 PM to 08:20 PM 06:17 PM to 08:20 PM
Ahmadabad 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 06:22 PM to 08:20 PM 05:58 PM to 08:32 PM 06:22 PM to 08:20 PM
Noida 8th of November 2026 (Sunday) 05:54 PM to 07:49 PM 05:31 PM to 08:08 PM 05:54 PM to 07:49 PM

Diwali 2026 Dates and Time Outside India: Diwali 2026 Puja Muhurat Abroad

People living overseas (NRI’s) observe Deepavali with the same enthusiasm as in India. Diwali is celebrated worldwide, and those living outside India can check the local puja muhurat for their cities in their country of residence. They must also worship the deities on Diwali following the muhurates mentioned in the section:

Diwali in U.S. (United States of America)

Those living in the United States can check the actual Diwali puja muhurat 2026:

City 

 Date  Lakshmi Puja Muhurat

Pradosh Kal
New York November 8, 2026 05:04 PM to 06:52 PM 04:44 PM to 07:31 PM
San Fransisco November 8, 2026 05:24 PM to 07:15 PM 05:04 PM to 07:48 PM
Chicago November 8, 2026 04:55 PM to 06:43 PM 04:36 PM to 07:24 PM
Houston November 8, 2026 05:52 PM to 07:47 PM 05:29 PM to 08:08 P
Washington D.C November 8, 2026 05:20 PM to 07:10 PM 05:00 PM to 07:45 PM
Los  Angeles November 8, 2026 05:16 PM to 07:08 PM 04:54 PM to 07:35 PM

Diwali in the United Arab Emirates

Those living in the United Arab Emirates can check the actual Diwali puja time or Lakshmi Pujan time for 2026:

City 

 Date  Lakshmi Puja Muhurat

Pradosh Kal
Dubai November 8, 2026 05:58 PM to 07:56 PM 05:35 PM to 08:10 PM
Abu Dhabi November 8, 2026 06:03 PM to 08:00 PM 05:39 PM to 08:14 PM
Sharjah November 8, 2026 05:57 PM to 07:54 PM 05:33 PM to 08:09 PM
Ajman November 8, 2026 05:57 PM to 07:54 PM 05:33 PM to 08:09 PM
Ras Al Khaimah November 8, 2026 05:54 PM to 07:51 PM 05:31 PM to 08:06 PM
Fujairah November 8, 2026 05:54 PM to 07:51 PM 05:30 PM to 08:05 PM
Umm Al Quwain November 8, 2026 05:56 PM to 07:53 PM 05:32 PM to 08:08 PM

Diwali in Nepal

Those living in Nepal can check the actual Diwali 2026 date, and the exact Lakshmi pujan time/ Diwali puja muhurat:

City 

 Date  Lakshmi Puja time (Muhurat)

Pradosh Kal
Kathmandu November 8, 2026 05:38 PM to 07:34 PM 05:15 PM to 07:52 PM
Pokhara November 8, 2026 05:43 PM to 07:38 PM 05:20 PM to 07:57 PM
Janakpur November 8, 2026 05:38 PM to 07:34 PM 05:14 PM to 07:51 PM
Birgunj  November 8, 2026 05:41 PM to 07:38 PM 05:18 PM to 07:55 PM
Bhaktapur November 8, 2026 05:38 PM to 07:34 PM 05:15 PM to 07:52 PM
Biratnagar November 8, 2026 05:33 PM to 07:29 PM 05:09 PM to 07:46 PM

Diwali in the United Kingdom (U.K)

Diwali celebration in UK: Those living in the UK can check the actual Diwali 2026 date, time and timing and the exact Lakshmi puja or Diwali puja muhurat:

City

 Date Lakshmi Puja time (Muhurat)

Pradosh Kal
City of London November 8, 2026 04:35 PM to 06:12 PM 04:21 PM to 07:19 PM
Leicester November 8, 2026 04:34 PM to 06:10 PM 04:22 PM to 07:21 PM
Birmingham November 8, 2026 04:38 PM to 06:14 PM 04:25 PM to 07:24 PM
Manchester November 8, 2026 04:39 PM to 06:14 PM 04:26 PM to 07:25 PM
Edinburgh November 8, 2026 04:28 PM to 05:58 PM 04:18 PM to 07:22 PM
Cambridge November 8, 2026 04:31 PM to 06:08 PM 04:18 PM to 07:17 PM

What is Diwali or Deepawali?

Diwali is the festival of light which falls on the Amavasya tithi (the new moon day) in the Kartik month (October or November). The festival commemorates the return of Lord Rama to his own state, Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile. People wear new clothes, worship Mata Lakshmi and light diyas and crackers to celebrate the festival of Diwali.

Why Do We Celebrate Diwali?

Diwali is primarily celebrated to honour the return of Maryadaprusottam- Lord Rama, who was fated to live in forest exile for 14 years. He returned to his home, Ayodhya, along with his brother, Lakshman and wife, Mata Sita, after completing his exile. The people of Ayodhya celebrate the return of Lord Rama by lighting the Diyas (eternal lamps) all over the city.

However, there are also other reasons for the celebration of Diwali across the Nation. For example, the origin of Diwali dates back to the time of Samudra Manthan or the churning of the ocean by Gods and Demons. Several treasures and divine elements came out of the sea during the Samudra Manthan, and among them was Mata Lakshmi. The appearance of the deity Lakhmi from Samudra Manthan marks the Lakshmi puja on Diwali.

In southern states (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), people celebrate Diwali to honour the killing of Narkasur by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama. Sikhs observe Diwali as Bandi Chhor, whereas in Jainism, Deepawali commemorates the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira (the liberation of Lord Mahavir from the cycle of birth and death, attaining Moksha).

What is the Diwali Puja Vidhi?

When it comes to Diwali puja or worship, one should know the exact muhurat and correct Lakshmi pujan vidhi, as Diwali puja is dedicated to the worship of Mata Lakshmi.

Here is the correct Diwali Puja Vidhi:
  • Wear clean or new clothes on the evening of Diwali.
  • Check the Lakshmi puja muhurat and begin your worship within the time frame (muhurat), and do ensure it ends before the puja timing (muhurat) ends.
  • Begin your prayer by invoking Lord Ganesha, and then worship Goddess Lakshmi by offering flowers, akshat and navadiyam to her.
  • Chant Mata Lakshmi Beej Mantra- ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं लक्ष्मीभ्यो नमः (Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhyo Namah, 11, or 21 or 108 times) In the end, conclude by performing  Aarti and then share prasadam with your family and known ones.

The Five Days of Diwali Celebration: Deepawali Festive Season 2026

The Five Days of Diwali Celebration: Deepawali Festive Season 2026 Here’s the breakdown of the 5-day Diwali 2026 celebration:

Dhanteras (06 November 2026)

Dhanteras festival, or puja, marks the beginning of Diwali, and in 2026, it falls 2 days prior to it on 6th of November 2026. On this special day, people worship Lord Dhanvantari and Mata Lakshmi along with Lord Ganesha. The festival of Dhanteras is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, who is believed to be the physician of God and the creator of Ayurveda. On Dhanteras 2026, worship Lord Dhanvantari for good health and long life for yourself and your family.

Narak Chaturdashi, Chhoti Diwali (08 November 2026)

Narak Chaturdashi, also known as Chhoti Diwali, usually falls one day before the Main Deepawali day. However, as per the Hindu calendar (Vikram Samvat), in 2026, Narak Chaturdashi occurs on the same day as main Diwali. 

Narak Chaturdashi, or Chhoti Diwali, is also observed as the main Diwali in the southern region. Especially in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.  It commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna and Satyabhama over the demon Narakasura.

Important Note: Narak Chaturdashi or Chhota Diwali is on 8th of November in 2026 as per the Government of India’s holiday calendar and the New Delhi Panchang. However, Chhoti Diwali is associated with different rituals across regions, and overseas observances may fall on 7 November too. It is best to confirm it using a trusted local Panchang for your city.) 

Main Diwali or Deepawali (08 November 2026)

Diwali – the main Amavasya evening for Lakshmi Puja and lighting diyas falls on 8th of November (Sunday) in 2026. The Lakshmi puja muhurat begins at 05:54 PM and ends at 07:50 PM (for New Delhi, IST). 

For correct Lakshmi puja timing in your city, see the table above. The exact window for Lakshmi puja varies from one region to another, as the sunset timing is different for different locations in India and across the globe.

Diwali is celebrated with great pomp and show and immense enthusiasm. Houses, temples and surroundings are illuminated with lights and diyas all over. People wear new clothes, offer worship to Mata Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh (to begin the worship) and their Kuldevi or Devta (Family Goddess or Family Deity). 

Rangolis and the Footprints of Goddess Lakshmi are drawn in houses. People also share sweets with their relatives and known ones. They also enjoy the day with their family members, having delicious food and quality time.

Govardhan Puja (10th of November 2026)

Govardhan Puja falls after Diwali, and this year, it will be celebrated on 10th of November, 2026 (Tuesday). Govardhan Puja is associated with Lord Krishna, who lifted the large Govardhan Mountain with his little finger to protect the people and cattle of Vraja from torrential rain and devastating storm. The event marks the pujan of Govardhan every year. Devotees, on this special day (Govardhan Puja), mould cow dung on the earth to create hills representing Govardhan Mountain and decorate them with flowers, grass, and kumkum. They also offer chhappan bhog (56 distinct food items), called Annakut (Mountain of food), to Lord Krishna in his honour to save lives and nature.

Govardhan Puja 2026 Pratahkala Muhurat – 06:40 AM to 08:50 AM.

Imp. Note: Govardhan Puja falls on 10th of November 2026 as per the Hindu panchang and holiday calendar. However, according to the regional rituals, the day and tithi may shift; for example, in Jaipur and Mumbai, Govardhan Puja is on 9th of November. It is best to check a trusted local panchang of your city for exact dates and muhurat. 

Bhai Dooj (11th of November 2026)

Bhai Dooj honours the sacred bond between siblings, which is observed after Diwali. The festival also commemorates the visit of Lord Yama (god of death or kaal) to his sister. 

On the occasion of Bhai Dooj, the sister applies tilak on the forehead of her brother, prays for his long life and offers special dishes. In return, the brother also offers a gift to his sister and pledges protection for her. The ritual is also performed by the sister to appease Yama or Yam to ward off or avoid untimely death of her brother and protection from harmful incidents.

Summary

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the festival of light which reflects the triumph of radiance over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and righteousness over evil. Knowing the right muhurat for Lakshmi Mata Puja, Pradosh Kaal, on Diwali is important to observe the festival and perform worship at the correct muhurat. This blog compiles the correct Diwali 2026 date, Puja muhurat for different cities in India and overseas and the highlights for every 5 days of Diwali in 2026.