Diwali 2026

The return of Rama. In North India Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and the defeat of Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lit rows of lamps to welcome them, which is the origin of the name Deepavali, "a row of lamps". In 2026 it comes nineteen days after Dussehra.

Goddess Lakshmi. Diwali night is also the night of Lakshmi Puja, when families invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, into clean and lit homes. Ganesha is worshipped first, as the remover of obstacles and the giver of wisdom to use wealth well.

Krishna and Narakasura. In many parts of India the day before, Naraka Chaturdashi, celebrates Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. Jains and Sikhs also observe this season, with their own meanings.

1. Dhanteras (6 November): the day to worship Lakshmi and Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods. Many families buy something new, such as gold, silver or utensils, and light a lamp for Yama in the evening.
2. Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi (7 November): the oil bath before dawn, lamps in the evening and rangoli at the door. It marks the end of darkness and evil.
3. Diwali, Lakshmi Puja (8 November): the main day, with the Lakshmi and Ganesha puja after sunset, many diyas, sweets and fireworks. Businesses worship their account books (Chopda Pujan).
4. Govardhan Puja (10 November): remembers Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to protect the villagers. A mountain of food (Annakut) is offered to the deity.
5. Bhai Dooj (11 November): sisters apply tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life, and brothers give gifts in return.

Customs differ by region and family. This is a simple home puja. Ask your family priest if you follow a fuller method.

1. Clean the house in the days before, draw rangoli at the entrance, and bathe and wear new or clean clothes on the day.
2. In the Lakshmi Puja muhurat (5:54 PM to 7:50 PM in Delhi), spread a clean cloth on a raised seat in your usual puja space and place the images or idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha. Many families also keep Saraswati and Kuber with them.
3. Set a kalash of water with mango leaves and a coconut on top. Keep coins, jewellery or the account book beside the idols.
4. Take the sankalp, light the lamp and incense, and worship Ganesha first with flowers, kumkum and akshat.
5. Worship Lakshmi with lotus or marigold flowers, kumkum, haldi, akshat, fruits, sweets, batasha and khil (puffed rice). Recite the Diwali mantras or the Lakshmi Chalisa.
6. Sing the aarti of Lakshmi and Ganesha and offer prasad to the family.
7. Light diyas at the door, windows, courtyard and every room, and keep a lamp burning through the night if you can.

Keep lamps away from curtains and children, and celebrate with fireworks only where it is safe and permitted.

The new-moon (Amavasya) tithi begins at 11:27 AM on 8 November and ends at 12:31 PM on 9 November. Lakshmi Puja is done in the evening, in the Pradosh period after sunset, when Amavasya must be present. That is the evening of 8 November, so Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November. See all Amavasya dates.