Diwali 2026: Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, 5-Day Celebration and Astrological Significance

2026 Diwali Date at a Glance

Diwali is one of the biggest and most loved festivals in India. Every year, families wait for this festival of lights to clean their homes, decorate with diyas and rangoli, worship Goddess Lakshmi and spend beautiful time with family.

Usually, Diwali comes somewhere between mid and late October. But Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, which is around 19 days later than Diwali in 2025.

This later date can make many people ask: Why is Diwali so late in 2026? The answer is connected with the Hindu lunar calendar, Panchang and the way lunar months are adjusted with the solar year.

In this complete guide, we will cover the Diwali 2026 date in India, 5 days of Diwali, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Kartik Amavasya Tithi, city-wise timings, Diwali remedies for wealth and prosperity, and frequently asked questions.

Diwali 2026 Date In India Calendar

The diwali 2026 date is based on Kartik Amavasya Tithi, which is the new moon day of Kartik month according to the traditional Hindu Panchang.

The Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening during Pradosh Kaal. This is the period around sunset and the early part of the night. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha during this time and pray for wealth, happiness, peace and prosperity in the family.

The main five-day Diwali celebration starts with Dhanteras on 6 November and ends with Bhai Dooj on 10 November 2026. 

The Five Days of Diwali 2026

Day 1 – Dhanteras, Friday 6 November

The first day of Diwali is Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi.

This day is connected with Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Many families consider it auspicious to buy gold, silver, utensils or other useful items on this day.

People also clean their homes and prepare them for the Diwali celebration.

In the evening, many families light a Yama Deepak, which is a diya traditionally placed facing south. It is associated with prayers for protection and long life and is considered an important tradition of Dhanteras.

Day 2 – Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali 2026, Saturday 7 November

The second day is known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali.

Traditionally, people take an early Abhyanga Snan, an oil bath before sunrise. This ritual is associated with cleansing and removing negativity from the past.

By this day, most homes are decorated with flowers, rangoli and diyas. Many families also start lighting lamps in the evening.

It is a preparation for the main Diwali night that comes on the next day.

Day 3 – Diwali / Lakshmi Puja, Sunday 8 November

This is the main day of Diwali 2026.

On this evening, families perform Lakshmi Puja and pray to Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, prosperity and happiness. Lord Ganesha is also worshipped because He is associated with wisdom, auspicious beginnings and removal of obstacles.

Homes are decorated with diyas and rangoli. Doors and entrances are kept clean and beautifully decorated.

Families come together, exchange sweets and gifts and enjoy a festive meal.

When most people say Shubh Diwali, they are mainly referring to this day.

Day 4 – Govardhan Puja, Monday 9 November

The fourth day is Govardhan Puja.

It remembers the story of Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from heavy rain sent by Indra.

Devotees prepare Annakut, an offering made with many different food items. In some traditions, 56 or even 108 food preparations are offered.

The day reminds devotees about humility, devotion and the importance of protecting nature and community.

Day 5 – Bhai Dooj, Tuesday 10 November

The fifth and final day is Bhai Dooj.

It is connected with the story of Yama and his sister Yamuna.

On this day, sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ forehead and pray for their health, happiness and long life. Brothers give gifts to their sisters in return.

Bhai Dooj therefore becomes a beautiful ending to the five-day Diwali celebration, with the focus moving towards family relationships and love.

What Follows: Chhath Puja and Dev Deepawali

There are also some important festivals that come around the same Kartik period, although they are not part of the core five days of Diwali.

Chhath Puja is a four-day festival dedicated mainly to the Sun God and is observed with great devotion in many parts of North India. In 2026, Chhath Puja falls on 15 November.

Then comes Dev Deepawali, celebrated on Kartik Purnima. In 2026, it falls on 24 November.

Dev Deepawali is especially famous in Varanasi, where thousands and lakhs of diyas are lit along the ghats of the Ganga. So, if you are planning travel around the Diwali period, these dates can also be useful to remember.

Why Shubh Diwali Falls in November This Year

Diwali normally comes around mid or late October, so many people may find the Diwali 2026 date in India unusually late. In 2026, Diwali falls on 8 November, around 19 days later than it did in 2025.

The reason behind this is the way the Hindu lunar calendar works. The lunar year is shorter than the solar year by around 11 days. To keep the lunar calendar in proper alignment with the solar year and seasons, an extra lunar month, known as Adhika Maas, is added at suitable intervals, usually about once every 32 to 33 months (roughly every 2 years and 8 months).

Because of these calendar adjustments, Hindu festivals do not always fall on the same Gregorian date every year. When such an adjustment occurs before Kartik month, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj can shift further into the Gregorian calendar, making them fall later than usual. \

So, the late Diwali in 2026 should not be considered an unusual or incorrect occurrence. It is a part of the traditional Panchang calendar system. In upcoming years, the same calendar system can make Diwali arrive much earlier, even around mid-October.

Kartik Amavasya: Tithi and Timings

The main Diwali worship is connected with Kartik Amavasya, the new moon Tithi of Kartik month.

For 2026:

• Amavasya Tithi begins: 2:17 PM, 8 November 2026
• Amavasya Tithi ends: 12:01 PM, 9 November 2026
• Diwali: Sunday, 8 November 2026
• Nishita Kaal: Approximately 11:30 PM to 12:30 AM

Lakshmi Puja is generally performed on the day when Amavasya Tithi is present during Pradosh Kaal. In 2026, this falls on 8 November, making it the main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja day.

Nishita Kaal is around midnight and has special importance in certain forms of worship, particularly for practitioners following specific Tantric traditions.

For normal household Lakshmi Puja, the evening Pradosh Kaal remains the most commonly followed period.

Lakshmi /Diwali Puja Muhurat 2026: City-Wise Timings

One important thing to understand about Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026 is that the exact timing is not identical for every city. The reason is simple: sunset does not happen at the same time throughout India.

Therefore, a muhurat calculated for Delhi cannot automatically be used for Mumbai or Kolkata. Below are approximate Pradosh Kaal timings for some major cities

These timings are approximate and are based on the sunset-related Pradosh period. For an exact Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, it is always better to check the Panchang calculated for your particular city. This is especially important if you want to follow a specific Lagna or detailed puja muhurat.

Sthir Lagna: Why It Matters Within the Muhurat Window

Along with Pradosh Kaal, many astrologers also consider the Lagna, or ascendant, while selecting the best time for Lakshmi Puja. Vrishabha Lagna (Taurus Ascendant) is a fixed sign. Because of this quality, it is traditionally considered favourable for activities connected with stability and long-term prosperity.

Because of this reason, some Panchang and astrology traditions give importance to the period of Vrishabha Lagna within the evening Lakshmi Puja time. The exact Vrishabha Lagna timing will change according to the city.

So, if the Pradosh Kaal is long, a local priest or city-specific Panchang can help identify the more suitable time for performing the puja.

Conclusion

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. This year, the festival comes around 19 days later than in 2025 because of the adjustments in the Hindu lunar calendar.

The five main days are:

• Dhanteras – 6 November 2026
• Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali – 7 November 2026
• Diwali / Lakshmi Puja – 8 November 2026
• Govardhan Puja – 9 November 2026
• Bhai Dooj – 10 November 2026

The most important worship on Diwali night is Lakshmi Puja, which is generally performed during Pradosh Kaal. Since sunset and planetary calculations are different from one city to another, the exact puja timing should be checked according to the local Panchang.

Diwali is not only about lights, sweets and shopping. It is also a time to remove negativity, bring cleanliness into the home, remember Bhagwan, respect family relationships and start the coming period with better thoughts.

The light of the diya gives a simple message: even when there is darkness around, a small light is enough to show the way.