Diwali 2026 – The 5 Days: Quick Answer
The five-day Diwali festival (Deepotsav) in 2026 is: (1) Dhanteras – Friday, 6 November; (2) Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdashi – evening of 7 November (Kali Chaudas) and abhyang snan on the morning of 8 November; (3) Diwali / Lakshmi Puja – Sunday, 8 November; (4) Govardhan Puja – Tuesday, 10 November; (5) Bhai Dooj – Wednesday, 11 November. Monday, 9 November falls between Lakshmi Puja and Govardhan Puja because Amavasya extends until 12:31 PM that day.
| Day | Date (2026) | Festival | Key muhurat (New Delhi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri, 6 Nov | Dhanteras, Dhanvantari Jayanti, Yama Deepam | Puja 6:02–7:57 PM; Pradosh 5:33–8:09 PM |
| 2 | Sat, 7 Nov | Choti Diwali evening, Kali Chaudas, Hanuman Puja | Chaturdashi from 10:47 AM |
| 2/3 | Sun, 8 Nov (morning) | Narak Chaturdashi abhyang snan | 5:41–6:38 AM |
| 3 | Sun, 8 Nov (evening) | Diwali – Lakshmi Puja | 5:54–7:50 PM |
| — | Mon, 9 Nov | Diwali snan, dev puja | Amavasya till 12:31 PM |
| 4 | Tue, 10 Nov | Govardhan Puja, Annakut, Gujarati New Year | Pratahkala 6:40–8:50 AM |
| 5 | Wed, 11 Nov | Bhai Dooj, Yama Dwitiya, Chitragupta Puja | Aparahna 1:10–3:20 PM |
Before the festival: Govatsa Dwadashi (Vasu Baras) on Thursday, 5 November.
Day 1: Dhanteras (6 November)
Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) is the birthday of Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, who emerged from the Samudra Manthan carrying the pot of nectar. People buy metal utensils, gold, silver and a new broom, worship Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kuber, and light the Yama Deepam — a four-wick lamp facing south — to protect the family from untimely death. Trayodashi lasts from 10:30 AM on 6 November to 10:47 AM on 7 November. Read: Dhanteras 2026.
Day 2: Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdashi (7–8 November)
Chaturdashi runs from 10:47 AM on 7 November to 11:27 AM on 8 November. Kali Chaudas and Hanuman Puja are observed on the night of 7 November, when many families also light 14 diyas. The abhyang snan (oil bath before sunrise) is on 8 November, 5:41–6:38 AM. The day remembers Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura. Read: Narak Chaturdashi 2026.
Day 3: Diwali – Lakshmi Puja (8 November)
The main festival. Amavasya begins at 11:27 AM; Lakshmi-Ganesh puja is done in Pradosh Kaal with Vrishabha lagna — 5:54–7:50 PM in Delhi. Homes are lit with diyas, rangoli is drawn, and businesses worship new account books. Read: Diwali 2026 date and muhurat.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja and Annakut (10 November)
Pratipada runs from 12:31 PM on 9 November to 2:00 PM on 10 November, so Govardhan Puja is on 10 November (Pratahkala 6:40–8:50 AM in Delhi). It celebrates Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill; devotees make a Govardhan figure from cow dung and offer Annakut (a mountain of food). It is also Bali Pratipada and the Gujarati New Year. Read: Govardhan Puja 2026.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj (11 November)
Dwitiya runs from 2:00 PM on 10 November to 3:53 PM on 11 November. Sisters apply tilak to their brothers in the Aparahna, 1:10–3:20 PM (Delhi), praying for their long life, remembering Yamuna's hospitality to her brother Yama. Chitragupta Puja is also observed. Read: Bhai Dooj 2026.
Why Five Days?
The five days mirror the journey of life: health (Dhanvantari), purification (Narak Chaturdashi), prosperity (Lakshmi), gratitude to nature (Govardhan) and love in relationships (Bhai Dooj).
Summary
Diwali 2026 runs from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 11 November, with Lakshmi Puja on 8 November (5:54–7:50 PM in Delhi). Plan your shopping for Dhanteras, keep 7–8 November for Choti Diwali and the main puja, and celebrate Govardhan Puja on 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.
