Diwali 2026 Date: Full Festival Calendar, Muhurat & Holiday Guide

Diwali 2026 date is Sunday, 8 November 2026 — the night of Lakshmi Puja on Kartika Amavasya. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month (Adhik Maas), the festival of lights arrives about three weeks later than last year, and the five-day celebration runs from Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November to Bhai Dooj on Wednesday, 11 November. In Karnataka, the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi on 8 November is the day most families treat as the main Deepavali day.

This guide gives you the complete Diwali 2026 calendar day by day, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat, the Karnataka public holiday position, and answers to the questions people ask every year.

Diwali 2026 Date: The Quick Answer

The main Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) in 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Diwali is celebrated on the new moon (Amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartik — the darkest night of the lunar month, when rows of diyas and fireworks symbolise the victory of light over darkness.

Here is the five-day festival at a glance (dates as per the Drik Panchang for India):

Day	Festival	Date (2026)	Day of Week
Day 1	Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi)	6 November	Friday
Day 2	Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi)	7–8 November	Saturday–Sunday
Day 3	Diwali — Lakshmi Puja (Deepavali)	8 November	Sunday
Day 4	Govardhan Puja (Annakut)	10 November	Tuesday
Day 5	Bhai Dooj (Bhaiya Dooj)	11 November	Wednesday

The Five Days of Diwali 2026, Explained

Day 1: Dhanteras — Friday, 6 November 2026

Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi) opens the festival. Families clean and decorate their homes, buy something new — traditionally gold, silver, or a metal utensil — and worship Dhanvantari, the divine physician, along with Goddess Lakshmi. A single lamp (Yama Deepam) is lit at the doorstep at dusk. It is considered one of the most auspicious days of the year for purchases and new beginnings.

Day 2: Choti Diwali — Saturday, 7 November 2026

Also called Naraka Chaturdashi, this day marks Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. The traditional observance is the abhyanga snan — a ritual oil bath taken before sunrise — followed by lighting the first diyas of the season. In Karnataka and much of South India, this morning bath and the day’s puja are treated as the heart of Deepavali itself.

Day 3: Diwali / Lakshmi Puja — Sunday, 8 November 2026

This is the main Diwali 2026 date. On the evening of Amavasya, families perform Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja during Pradosh Kaal (the first part of the night after sunset), praying for prosperity and wisdom. Homes glow with diyas and candles, sweets are shared, and fireworks light up the sky late into the night.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja — Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Govardhan Puja (Annakut) honours Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to protect the people of Vrindavan. Devotees prepare a “mountain” of vegetarian food (annakut) as an offering. In Karnataka this day is observed as Bali Padyami, and it is an official state holiday.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj — Wednesday, 11 November 2026

The festival closes with Bhai Dooj (Bhaiya Dooj), celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, pray for their long life, and brothers give gifts in return.

Diwali 2026 in Karnataka: Naraka Chaturdashi and the Holiday

In Karnataka, Deepavali is celebrated a little differently from the North. Here, Naraka Chaturdashi — the morning of 8 November 2026 — is the day most Kannadigas consider the main festival day: the pre-dawn oil bath, new clothes, the special festive breakfast, and the visit to the temple all happen on this morning.

The state’s public holiday notification lists Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (Bali Padyami, Deepavali) as the general holiday on which government offices, departments, and banks remain closed across Karnataka. Naraka Chaturdashi itself (8 November) falls on a Sunday, so it is already a weekly holiday. Plan accordingly: if you need to visit a government office or a bank in the first half of November 2026, note the long festive stretch — and remember that you can apply for income and caste certificates online through the Seva Sindhu portal without visiting an office.

Lakshmi Puja 2026: Muhurat and Vidhi

Lakshmi Puja is performed on the evening of 8 November 2026 during Pradosh Kaal — the first two hours after sunset — while the Amavasya tithi prevails. This is the most auspicious window for the puja. Exact timings shift by a few minutes between cities, so confirm with your local panchang, but as a rule of thumb plan for roughly 5:45 pm to 7:45 pm.

A simple Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja at home follows these steps:

1. Clean and prepare the altar: Place the idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on a clean cloth, facing east or north.
2. Kalash sthapana: Fill a copper or brass kalash with water, place mango leaves and a coconut on top.
3. Invoke the deities: Light a diya and incense, chant “Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah” and offer flowers.
4. Offer the bhog: Present fruits, sweets (especially kheer), betel nut, and coins or currency as a symbol of wealth.
5. Recite the aarti: Perform the Lakshmi aarti and Ganesha aarti with the family.
6. Light the diyas: Place oil lamps at the entrance, in every room, and on the balcony to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
7. Distribute prasad: Share the sweets and fruits with family and neighbours.

Why Is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali’s story changes with the region, but every legend carries the same message — the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness:

• The Ramayana (North India): Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lit rows of diyas to welcome him home.
• Krishna and Narakasura (South India, including Karnataka): Deepavali celebrates Lord Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura, freeing thousands of captives — the reason Naraka Chaturdashi is the principal day in the South.
• Goddess Lakshmi (West and East India): The festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, who is believed to visit clean, well-lit homes on the new moon night.
• Jain and Sikh traditions: Jains mark the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, Guru Hargobind Ji’s release from captivity.

Planning Around Diwali 2026

A few practical notes for the festival week:

• Banks: Banks in Karnataka are closed on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays. With 8 November a Sunday and 10 November a state holiday, plan cash withdrawals and branch visits for the working days around the festival.
• Travel: Trains and buses out of Bengaluru fill up fast in the days before Naraka Chaturdashi. Book tickets as early as possible.
• Shopping: Dhanteras (6 November) is the peak day for buying gold, silver, electronics, and vehicles — jewellers and dealers run special offers, but crowds are heavy in the evening.
• Firecrackers: Check your local municipal rules before buying or bursting crackers; several Karnataka cities restrict timings and designated zones.

FAQs

What is the Diwali 2026 date?

The main Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) in 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The five-day festival runs from Dhanteras (6 November) to Bhai Dooj (11 November).

Why is Diwali 2026 in November and not October?

The Hindu lunar calendar occasionally adds an extra month (Adhik Maas) to stay aligned with the solar year. 2026 has one, which pushes Diwali about three weeks later than 2025, when it fell on 20–21 October.

Is Diwali a public holiday in Karnataka in 2026?

The Karnataka government has notified Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (Bali Padyami, Deepavali) as a general holiday. Naraka Chaturdashi on 8 November falls on a Sunday, which is already a weekly holiday.

What time is Lakshmi Puja in 2026?

Lakshmi Puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal on the evening of 8 November 2026 — roughly the first two hours after sunset. Confirm the exact muhurat with your local panchang, as it varies slightly by city.

Which day is the main Deepavali day in Karnataka?

In Karnataka, Naraka Chaturdashi — the morning of 8 November 2026 — is traditionally the main celebration day, with the pre-dawn oil bath (abhyanga snan), new clothes, and festive food.

Is there a long weekend for Diwali 2026?

With 7–8 November falling on Saturday–Sunday, 9 November a Monday, and 10 November a state holiday in Karnataka, taking one day of leave on Monday, 9 November gives you a five-day break from 6 to 10 November.

What is the difference between Diwali and Deepavali?

There is no real difference — Deepavali is the Sanskrit/Kannada form and Diwali is the common North Indian pronunciation. In Karnataka, the festival is almost always called Deepavali.

When is Bhai Dooj in 2026?

Bhai Dooj (Bhaiya Dooj) in 2026 is on Wednesday, 11 November, the fifth and final day of the Diwali festival.

Final Thoughts

The Diwali 2026 date — Sunday, 8 November — sits at the heart of a five-day festival that begins with Dhanteras on 6 November and closes with Bhai Dooj on 11 November. In Karnataka, the pre-dawn oil bath of Naraka Chaturdashi on the 8th remains the soul of the celebration, while 10 November (Bali Padyami) is the official state holiday.

Mark the dates, confirm your local Lakshmi Puja muhurat a few days before the festival, and plan bank visits and travel around the holiday stretch. May the festival of lights bring prosperity to your home.