Diwali 2026

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is the day when families and friends gather to exchange gifts, eat good food, burn crackers, and decorate their homes. However, as the celebration every year is on cloud nine, have you ever wondered what the significance of this day is or why it is celebrated? What are the Diwali 2026 date and time, the Diwali Lakshmi Puja muhurat, the puja vidhi, and any other details? If yes, the following section serves as a guide to help you celebrate the festival with customs, traditions, and the right timings.  

Diwali 2026 Date and Time 

Want to know the Diwali 2026 date and the Lakshmi Puja Muhurat? If yes, the following table will give you all the details about it. 

Diwali 2026 Details	Date/Time
Diwali 2026	Sunday, November 8, 2026
Amavasya Tithi Begins	11:27 AM, November 8
Amavasya Tithi Ends	12:31 PM, November 9
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat	5:54 PM–7:50 PM

Note: The Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026 is based on the New Delhi timings. However, if you want to know the shubh muhurat as per your city or location, it is best to check a local panchang. 

Diwali 2026 5-Day Calendar

Diwali is a festival that begins with Dhanteras and remains until Bhai Dooj. Explore each day in detail and why it is celebrated. 

Day	Festival	2026 Date	Main Significance
Day 1	Dhanteras	November 6	Wealth, health and Dhanvantari
Day 2	Choti Diwali	November 7	Victory over Narakasura and ritual cleansing
Day 3	Diwali / Lakshmi Puja	November 8	Lakshmi Puja, diyas and the main Diwali celebration
Day 4	Govardhan Puja	November 9	Worship of Govardhan and Krishna
Day 5	Bhai Dooj	November 11	Celebration of the brother-sister bond

Day 1: Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Diwali period. It falls on Trayodashi tithi; that is why it is also known as Dhan Trayodashi. This festival is associated with the emergence of the Goddess Laxmi, Lord Dhanvantari, and, in many traditions, Lord Kubera as well. It is the day to welcome deities to bless households and families with wealth, health, and fortune. On this day, the purchase of gold, silver, and utensils is considered auspicious, along with the lighting of diyas. 

Day 2: Choti Diwali 

Choti Diwali is the second day of the five-day Diwali celebration. It is the day focused on self-reflection and purification. When Lord Rama was about to come to Ayodhya, it was the time when people purified themselves and burst their egos, negative energies, and dark energies to welcome Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Laxman. In the modern world, too, this day is for purifying the negative thoughts and energies within you so that good can happen the next day. 

Day 3: Diwali

The third day of the five-day festival is Diwali. It is the day that marks the arrival of Lord Rama, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Laxman. Spiritually, this is the day when the alignment is set for the divine to manifest in your mind and body. It is a positive day that also reflects the victory of good over evil and signifies that, whatever the situation, you should always choose the right path, or dharma, in your life. It is why homes are decorated with diyas, rangoli, flowers and lights. Further, the day is celebrated by doing Lakshmi puja for financial stability, luck, and wealth. Families may prepare festive food, exchange gifts and spend time together.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is associated with Lord Krishna and the Govardhan Hill. In the Treta Yug, Krishna encouraged the people of Vrindavan to worship Govardhan rather than Indra. When Indra sent heavy rains, Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to protect the people and animals. This is why Govardhan Puja is celebrated. Also, it has relevance to the Ramayana. When Lord Hanuman was building Ram Setu, although he could not reach Lanka, it was there that Lord Hanuman brought the mountain. However, despite his willingness to help Lord Rama, he was unable to do so and began crying. It is there that Lord Rama promised that he would, a thousand years from now, come and lift the mountain on his finger for seven days, and that people would worship him. This is why it is celebrated through Govardhan Puja and Annakut. 

Day 5: Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj marks the celebration between brothers and sisters. According to the Ramayana, King Dasharatha had an elder daughter named Shanta. When Lord Ram returned from exile, all of Ayodhya was there to welcome the three; however, she could not. It is on this day that Bhai Dooj is celebrated. In happiness and joyfulness at her brother coming back home, she applied tika to her brothers, and her brothers gave her sister presents and gifts. So, this day marks the bond and love between brother and sister. 

Why Is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali has multiple stories and religious associations. Its significance therefore differs somewhat between regions and communities.

Lord Rama's Return to Ayodhya

One of the best-known reasons Diwali is celebrated is Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya. Lord Ram, Lord Laxman, and Goddess Sita went into exile for 14 years, and during that time, Goddess Sita was abducted by Ravana. Deepavali, or Diwali, marks the defeat of Ravana and the welcoming of the trio to their home. The name “Deepavali” signifies that when the trio returned to their homeland, it was Amavasya, or the new moon day, when everyone lit up Ayodhya with diyas and lamps. 

Goddess Lakshmi and Prosperity

Another important reason Diwali is celebrated is that this also marks the celebration of Goddess Laxmi, who is an epitome of wealth and luxury. Dhanteras marks the arrival of Goddess Laxmi into your house, whereas Diwali is one of the days when she is celebrated and worshipped to bless you with fortune and wealth. 

Diwali Lakshmi Puja Vidhi

Want to know what the Diwali Lakshmi Puja Vidhi is according to different customs and religions? If yes, here are the steps generally followed in households. 

1. Clean the House

On the day of Diwali, it is important to clean the house, especially the entrance and puja area, as Goddess Laxmi is believed to visit only very clean homes. Further, it gives the house a fresh, vibrant, and organised appearance on the day of the festival, elevating the home's aura and environment. 

2. Decorate the Puja Area

After you clean the home and puja area, it is now time to decorate it. You can do so by decorating the puja space or entrance with rangoli, flowers, leaves, and diyas. Also, in the puja area, as a symbolic representation of Goddess Laxmi, you can keep her footprints in the home temple. 

3. Place Lakshmi and Ganesha

Now that you have decorated the puja area and the entire home, it is time to place the idols. Place the Goddess Laxmi idol for financial prosperity. Place the Lord Ganesha idol, along with her, as he is the remover of obstacles and blockages; even if financial prosperity comes to your home, his blessing will help you handle success with wisdom. Also, in many traditions, idols of Lord Kubera and Goddess Saraswati are placed; it depends entirely on your family customs and traditions. 

4. Prepare the Kalash

Now that you have placed the idols as per your family traditions and customs, it is time to prepare the kalash. You can do so by pouring clean water into it. Add a coin, betel nut, and turmeric into the clean water. Place 5 to 7 mango leaves around the kalash. Once you do so, fold your hands and invoke the deities by praying to Goddess Laxmi. 

5. Begin With Puja

Once the kalash has been set up, it is now time to do the puja. One should ideally begin with Ganesh puja, then chant Laxmi mantras and perform Laxmi puja. The process of Puja depends entirely on family customs and traditions. Offer flowers, kumkum, rice, sweets, and other traditional offerings. Also, if coins or account books are part of your household, you should place them in front of the deity during puja.

6. Perform Aarti

Conclude Diwali night with Laxmi puja. Pick up the thali and rotate it clockwise. Place Camphor on the plate, as it symbolises the elimination of human ego before the deity or god. Fold your hands and bow before the god, and pray to him to forgive you for any bad karma and to grant you financial prosperity and good health in the future. Last but not least, distribute the prasad among family members, relatives, or neighbours. 

Lakshmi Puja Samagri for Diwali

As the 5-day festival involves cleaning homes, exchanging gifts, and decorating every space in the home, it is ideal to gather all puja samagri in advance to avoid interruptions or distractions when connecting with the divine. Thus, here is a list that will make your work easier and help you incline more naturally toward spirituality on the day of Diwali. 

Puja Samagri	Common Use
Lakshmi idol/picture	Main worship
Ganesha idol/picture	Ganesh Puja
Kalash	Auspicious setup
Coconut	Kalash offering
Mango leaves	Kalash
Diya	Lighting
Cotton wicks	Lighting diyas
Ghee/oil	Diya
Kumkum	Tilak and offering
Turmeric	Puja
Akshat	Offering
Flowers	Decoration/offering
Garland	Deity decoration
Fruits	Naivedya
Sweets	Naivedya/Prasad
Incense	Puja
Camphor	Aarti
Coins	Prosperity symbolism
Rangoli materials	Entrance/Puja decoration

These are some basic puja items needed on Diwali day. So, to avoid any distractions, you can gather them in one place before the festival arrives. Also, there is no need to purchase unnecessary items; ideally, only the items required for rituals, traditions, or customs are purchased. 

Diwali Traditions and Rituals

For years, Diwali traditions and rituals have been the same, following the same process. And most likely, you might be following all these rules without knowing the exact reasons behind them. Learn more about the same in the points below. 

Lighting Diyas

Spiritually, the lamp or diya represents the human body. The oil represents the negative traits a person carries: greed, anger, fear, jealousy, and ego. The flame represents divine knowledge. On the day of Diwali, lighting diyas signifies burning away the negative traits a person possesses and bringing out the best light within. In a nutshell, it is a tradition associated with positivity that signifies the removal of darkness. 

Making Rangolis 

Rangoli is commonly created near the entrance of homes or around the Puja area. In ancient times, it was made with materials such as rice flour and chalk. The making of Rangoli served as a Yantra, creating a calming effect on the mind of anyone who saw it. Also, it acts as a roadmap for Goddess Laxmi to enter the home and bless households with financial stability, luck, and wealth. 

Cleaning the Home

In Vedic philosophy, Goddess Laxmi is an epitome of purity and cleanliness. So, on the day of Diwali, she is believed to avoid places or homes that are unorganised or unclean. On the other hand, when the home is clean and decorated, she gets into the house and showers her blessings. Also, when the home is organised, it creates space to attract new opportunities and ideas. 

Wearing New Clothes

It is a tradition to wear new clothes on Diwali. In earlier times, wearing new clothes was a sign of rebirth, which indicated shedding of past trauma, fear, anger, emotional burdens, and failures. It is why, on this auspicious day, which is celebrated for the welcome of Lord Rama, Lord Laxman, and Goddess Sita, wearing new clothes is a sign of shedding past griefs and living for the soul with positive light and hope. 

Exchanging Gifts

Diwali is one of the festivals where the exchange of gifts is common. As the day highlights positivity and cutting negative energies from life, giving gifts to relatives or friends is a way to break the ice if relationships have been strained for a long time. It fosters a sense of love and ensures that no one feels isolated on the day of the festival. It also encourages building bonds and strengthening social relationships. 

Preparing Sweets

Another common tradition associated with Diwali is preparing sweets. Sweets are made with nuts, ghee, milk, and jaggery. Traditionally, when one makes sweets at home and distributes them among people within or outside the household, it becomes impossible to have a bitter conversation. Also, in earlier times, sweets were seen as a way to boost physical vitality, which was important to keep up with the pace of festivities and happiness during the days of Diwali. 

Decorating Homes and Workplaces

On the day of Diwali, it is common to decorate the home with mango leaves, marigold flowers, and pretty lights. Mango flowers hold spiritual significance, and mango leaves act as a natural air purifier. Thus, using these items on Diwali sets a positive, spiritual tone for the day. In a nutshell, when the environment is good, one has good thoughts. 

Setting Off Fireworks

Another common tradition that is associated with Diwali is setting off fireworks. When Lord Rama came to Ayodhya, the entire palace was decorated with flowers, rangolis, and diyas to illuminate the dark city, as it was a moonless night. However, in modern times, to show such expression and for more joy and fun, fireworks is used to mark the welcome of Lord Rama, Lord Laxman, and Goddess Sita. 

Diwali Legends and Stories

There are many stories that are associated with Diwali. They can vary across regions. Get to know about them to understand the significance of this big day. 

Lord Rama Returns to Ayodhya

One of the main stories associated with Diwali is the return of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshmana, and Goddess Sita after 14 years of exile. Thus, to mark the celebration and welcome of all three after years, the entire Ayodhya was decorated with flowers and lamps, and homes were cleaned. 

Goddess Lakshmi and Samudra Manthan

Another story related to Diwali is the emergence of Goddess Lakshmi. During the Samudra Manthan, Goddess Laxmi emerged, the epitome of wealth and luck. This happened on Trayodashi tithi, and that is why that day is known as Dhanteras. Further, on the day of Diwali, she is celebrated, and everyone prays to her for stability and good fortune in life.