11
OCT 11, 2026
Sharad Navratri begins
Nine nights of devotion to Maa Durga begin with Ghatasthapana. Explore the nine forms, fasting customs and celebrations.
🕰 Ghatasthapana: 6:19–10:12 AM
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Festival calendar · October to November
Your Diwali season, one joyful journey
From Shardiya Navratri and Dussehra to Karwa Chauth, the five-day Diwali cycle and Kartik Purnima, follow the celebrations in order. Dates and listed times are New Delhi references (IST), except the Varanasi Dev Deepawali entry.
20
OCT 20, 2026
Dussehra / Vijayadashami
Celebrate the triumph of dharma through Ramleela, Ravana Dahan and Durga Visarjan traditions.
🕰 Vijay Muhurat: 1:59–2:45 PM
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29
OCT 29, 2026
Karwa Chauth
A day of prayer, family customs and moon-viewing, observed according to personal and regional tradition.
🕰 Puja: 5:38–6:56 PM · moonrise ~8:17 PM
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06
NOV 06, 2026
Dhanteras
Welcome the Diwali days with Dhanvantari worship, a lamp for Yama and thoughtful preparations for the home.
🕰 Puja: 6:02–7:57 PM
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NOV 07, 2026
Kali Chaudas
Regional practices of purification and protection precede the main Diwali evening; customs differ from Naraka Chaturdashi.
🕰 Local late-night puja tradition
Explore the festival →08
NOV 08, 2026Festival of Lights
Diwali / Lakshmi Puja
Light diyas, welcome guests and offer Lakshmi–Ganesha Puja during your city’s appropriate evening window.
🕰 Delhi Lakshmi Puja: 5:54–7:50 PM
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10
NOV 10, 2026
Govardhan Puja / Annakut
Remember Krishna’s protection of Braj; celebrate gratitude for the land and share the Annakut offering.
🕰 Pratah Puja: 6:40–8:50 AM
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11
NOV 11, 2026
Bhai Dooj
A tilak, a blessing and time together honor the affection and support shared between siblings.
🕰 Aparahna Tika: 1:10–3:20 PM
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NOV 15, 2026
Chhath Puja
Family observances honor Surya and Chhathi Maiya with disciplined fasting and offerings at the water’s edge.
🕰 Arghya follows local sunrise and sunset
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NOV 24, 2026
Dev Deepawali, Varanasi
Kartik Purnima illuminates the ghats with deep daan and Ganga Aarti; a second, distinct festival of lights.
🕰 Varanasi Pradosh: 5:08–7:47 PM
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Lakshmi-Ganesha puja · Sunday, 8 November
Diwali 2026 Puja Muhurat by city
The auspicious evening window is determined for the place of worship using local sunset and Panchang conditions. It is not a timezone conversion of the New Delhi time.
Worship with faith, preparation and presence
Many households look for the overlap of Pradosh Kaal, Amavasya Tithi and Vrishabha Lagna for the principal Lakshmi Puja. Regional practices can use different windows and sequences.
Simple approach: prepare the thali and altar in advance, begin at your chosen local muhurat, and follow the family or temple Puja Vidhi with care.
For exact sunrise, tithi boundaries and festival observance outside India, consult a regional Panchang.
Time format
Pradosh Kaal5:31 – 8:09 PM
Vrishabha Kaal5:54 – 7:50 PM
Amavasya TithiNov 8–9
Note: Times are 2026 reference values reproduced from your supplied Diwali page. They should be reconfirmed with the linked Panchang or your priest before a time-sensitive Puja.
At home and with community
Make every corner glow
Whether your style is traditional, contemporary or delightfully handmade, celebrate in ways that feel welcoming, meaningful and practical.
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Rangoli & flower designs
Welcome guests with patterns, flower petals and glowing diyas at the doorway.
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Diyas & smart lighting
Blend earthen diyas with warm, layered lighting for homes, balconies and patios.
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Navratri Golu displays
Create a storytelling display with kolu steps, dolls, themed scenes and daily offerings.
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Festive city decorations
Seek inspiration from decorated markets, arches and festive streetscapes.
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Sweets & festive snacks
Plan the mithai table: laddoo, barfi, regional favorites and savory snacks.
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Mindful, greener Diwali
Celebrate warmly with reusable décor, safe lamps and quieter choices.
Explore ideas →Thoughtful gifting · hosting · recipes
Give something more meaningful
The best Diwali gift matches the recipient, the occasion and the care behind it. Explore sweets, personal gifts, host ideas, return gifts and gestures of generosity.
A sweet tradition
Diwali gift guide 2026
From classic mithai and dry fruits to handmade items, home décor and gifts that support local makers.
Explore the gift guide →Swipe through gifting ideas
For family & friends
Personal, useful gifts and memorable shared experiences.
Corporate gifting
Considerate presents for teams, clients and colleagues.
Mithai & snacks
Share barfi, laddoo and regional festive treats.
Kids & return gifts
Creative kits, books and joyful small surprises.
Hosts & neighbors
Plants, flowers and handcrafted items with heart.
Share the blessings
Volunteer, donate or support a local community initiative.
Complete home worship guide
Lakshmi–Ganesha Puja Vidhi for Diwali 2026
A respectful, family-friendly sequence to help you prepare, understand the meaning of each offering, and perform Puja with attention. Customs and mantras vary by sampradaya, region and household.
Begin with a clean space and a peaceful mind
Many families worship Shri Ganesha and Maa Lakshmi together on Diwali, asking for wisdom, well-being and prosperity used with care. Keep the ritual simple if you are new to Puja; sincerity matters more than an elaborate arrangement.
When to begin: use the city-specific Muhurat above. Prepare the altar, thali and offerings before the evening window so you are not rushed.
The worship sequence
12 steps for a meaningful Lakshmi Puja
Tap a step to read the instructions
01Cleanse & prepare the altar
Clean the worship area, lay a fresh cloth over a stable chowki, and arrange the murti or image of Maa Lakshmi and Shri Ganesha. Keep a safely placed diya and offerings ready.
02Invoke peace and make Sankalpa
Wash your hands, sit comfortably, take a quiet moment and state your intention: gratitude, wisdom, health and the welfare of all. A short prayer in your own language is appropriate.
03Begin with Shri Ganesha
Offer a flower and pray to Lord Ganesha for clarity and the removal of obstacles. The simple mantra “ॐ गं गणपतये नमः” may be recited.
04Place the Kalash, if customary
Some families set a water-filled kalash with leaves and a coconut as a symbol of auspiciousness and abundance. Follow your household custom for its arrangement.
05Welcome Maa Lakshmi
Invoke Maa Lakshmi respectfully with folded hands, flowers and a gentle prayer. If using delicate or painted idols, avoid pouring liquids directly onto them.
06Offer fragrance, color and flowers
Present sandal paste or kumkum, akshata and fresh blossoms as appropriate for the deity and tradition. Each offering expresses care and reverence.
07Offer Dhupa and Deepa
Light incense or dhoop only where safe and ventilated, then offer a diya. Let its light symbolize the removal of ignorance, fear and harshness.
08Present Naivedya and water
Offer fruit, mithai, homemade food or other satvik offerings suitable to your tradition, with a small cup of drinking water. Keep the offerings clean and covered.
09Recite mantra or stotra
Chant “ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः”, read a family prayer, or recite Shri Sukta where customary. If Sanskrit is unfamiliar, a sincere prayer in your mother tongue is welcome.
10Perform Ganesha and Lakshmi Aarti
Offer the aarti light respectfully, sing the traditional aarti or a familiar devotional verse, and pray for insight, compassion and prosperity.
11Share Prasad and blessings
Bow in gratitude, offer namaskar to elders, share prasad with everyone present and include neighbors or those celebrating alone when possible.
12Close with gratitude and care
Safely extinguish or monitor diyas, keep the puja space tidy and carry forward the spirit of generosity. A simple donation or act of service makes the celebration meaningful.
Do I need a full Shodashopachara (16-step) Puja?
Some traditions use sixteen formal forms of hospitality to the deity, including avahana, asana, achamana, snana, vastra, gandha, pushpa, dhoop, deep and naivedya. For full Vedic or temple-style observances, use a trusted family Puja book or seek guidance from a qualified priest. The 12-step overview above is a beginner-friendly home guide, not a substitute for lineage-specific directions.
Can I perform Diwali Puja without a priest?
Many families perform a simple home Puja themselves. Use familiar prayers, make offerings respectfully and be mindful of local Muhurat. A priest can help when a specialized rite, business account book ceremony or formal havan is planned.
What if I am celebrating away from India?
Use the local Panchang where the Puja is happening rather than simply converting an Indian clock time. Keep the observance practical for your space, family and fire-safety rules. Traditions may vary from city to city.
Celebrate across India
Where the festival of lights feels extraordinary
Different cities bring different rituals, foods and stories to the festive season. These are inspiring places to explore; check local event schedules, crowds and travel guidance before planning a visit.
Swipe to explore cities
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Deepotsav traditions and the Ramayana connection make Ayodhya a powerful place to experience the spirit of lamps.
Explore the celebration →
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Experience the ghats, Ganga Aarti and the distinct Dev Deepawali celebration on Kartik Purnima.
Explore the celebration →
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Decorated markets and heritage streets offer a colorful backdrop for a festive evening.
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Old Delhi & Connaught Place
Explore festive bazaars, seasonal sweets and illuminated shopping districts in the capital.
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Amritsar, Punjab
The Golden Temple and Bandi Chhor Divas traditions offer a distinctive Sikh observance alongside the Diwali season.
Explore the celebration →
Mysuru, Karnataka
A jewel of the wider festive season, renowned for Dasara processions and palace illuminations in October.
Explore the celebration →Share the light
Diwali wishes in your own words
Send a heartfelt message to parents, grandparents, friends, colleagues or neighbors. Copy the sample below or explore festive cards and dedicated multilingual galleries.
Wish loved ones a happy Diwali
Choose a language to see and copy a heartfelt greeting.
Wishing you and your family a Diwali filled with light, peace, good health and beautiful new beginnings. Happy Diwali! 🪔
शुभ दीपावली!
May kindness brighten every home, and may the coming year be full of possibility.
May kindness brighten every home, and may the coming year be full of possibility.
Pictures to share and save
Festive wallpapers, gallery images & e-cards
Browse visual collections for mobile, desktop and sharing. The previews below draw from your supplied festival imagery; use each collection page for available sizes and formats.
Swipe to browse wallpapers
Golu doll displays
A festival-inspired collection of traditional Golu storytelling scenes.
Dussehra wallpapers
Colorful Vijayadashami artwork for festive greetings and screens.
Diwali lights
Warm ambient lighting ideas and glowing festive scenes.
Dev Deepawali
Lamps, riverfront aarti and the beauty of Kartik Purnima.
Beyond the decorations
Stories, spiritual meaning & regional traditions
One festival season, many ways of understanding light. Discover stories that connect the celebrations across generations and communities.
Swipe for more stories
Ramayana & the homecoming of Rama
Explore the story often associated with Diwali in North India and the enduring value of dharma.
Read the story →Lakshmi, abundance & gratitude
See how Puja connects prosperity with wisdom, generosity and thoughtful living.
Read the story →Regional Diwali traditions
Learn about Kali Puja in Bengal, southern customs and the Jain and Sikh meanings of this season.
Read the story →Ramleela & Vijayadashami
Enjoy performances, stories and celebratory customs from the days of Dussehra.
Read the story →Questions people ask
Diwali 2026 frequently asked questions
Dates, customs and muhurats can change with location. Here are the essentials for planning with clarity.
When is Diwali 2026?
In New Delhi, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja fall on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The precise Puja Muhurat varies by location and local Panchang.
What are the main Diwali festival dates in 2026?
Dhanteras is November 6, Kali Chaudas November 7, Diwali November 8, Govardhan Puja November 10, and Bhai Dooj November 11 in the New Delhi reference calendar. Some regional observances differ.
Is Govardhan Puja on November 9 or November 10 in 2026?
For New Delhi in 2026, Govardhan Puja is observed on Tuesday, November 10. The Pratipada Tithi begins on November 9; a tithi start date is not automatically the festival observance date.
Can I use the New Delhi Lakshmi Puja time abroad?
No. The evening muhurat depends on local sunset, Pradosh Kaal, Amavasya and often Vrishabha Lagna. Check the location-specific time for the place of worship.
How do I perform a simple Lakshmi Puja at home?
Prepare a clean puja space, gather offerings, make a sankalpa, offer Ganesha prayers, honor Maa Lakshmi with flowers, diya, naivedya and mantra or aarti, then share prasad. Follow your family or temple tradition for detailed rites.
How is Dev Deepawali different from Diwali?
Diwali is celebrated around Amavasya. Dev Deepawali takes place on Kartik Purnima, and the Varanasi celebration is especially associated with deep daan along the River Ganga.
Calendar sources and precision. This homepage uses your supplied 2026 calendar and city data, cross-checked for major New Delhi observances against Drik Panchang. In particular, Govardhan Puja is 10 November 2026 for New Delhi (not 9 November). Check the local Panchang for your location, exact sunrise and personal ritual tradition. Editorial content is for family planning, not an official religious ruling.