Diwali 2026 Calendar: Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj Dates & Muhurat

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The five-day festival begins with Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November and ends with Bhai Dooj, which most panchangs place on Wednesday, 11 November this year.

Conflicting dates circulate every year, and some websites even list October dates for 2026, which are wrong. Like our Raksha Bandhan 2026 guide, this post gives you clear facts: the day-by-day calendar, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat and the tithi timings behind each date.

Diwali 2026 Calendar at a Glance

Note: Timings are for New Delhi. Muhurat changes by city because it depends on local sunset. Always confirm with your local panchang or family priest.

Why Is Diwali in November This Year?

Diwali is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya, the new-moon night of the Hindu lunar month. Because the Hindu calendar follows the moon, the date shifts every year on the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, Diwali fell in October. In 2026, the lunar cycle pushes it to 8 November.

Why Is There a "Gap Day" on 9 November?

In 2026, the Amavasya tithi runs from 11:27 AM on 8 November to 12:31 PM on 9 November. Since Amavasya is still active at sunrise on 9 November, the next tithi (Pratipada) only prevails at sunrise on 10 November. That is why most panchangs place Govardhan Puja on 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November, leaving 9 November without a major observance in most of India.

Day-by-Day Guide to Diwali 2026

Day 1: Dhanteras (Friday, 6 November 2026)

Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi, opens the festival on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi) of the dark fortnight.

Dhanteras 2026 Muhurat

• Trayodashi tithi: begins on the morning of 6 November and ends on the morning of 7 November

• Puja time: evening Pradosh Kaal, roughly 5:30 PM to 8:10 PM in New Delhi, with the Vrishabha Kaal window inside it considered most auspicious

What People Do on Dhanteras

• Worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber and Lord Dhanvantari (the god of Ayurveda and health)

• Buy gold, silver, utensils or a new broom, believed to bring prosperity

• Light the Yama Deepam, a lamp placed outside the home for the god of death

Day 2: Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdashi (7–8 November 2026)

This day marks Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura.

Two Rituals, Two Different Days in 2026

This year the rituals split across two days:

• Choti Diwali evening (Saturday, 7 November): families light lamps and do the evening Yama Deepam.

• Abhyang Snan (Sunday, 8 November, before sunrise): the traditional oil bath happens before dawn while Chaturdashi tithi is active. Since Chaturdashi lasts until 11:27 AM on 8 November, this ritual shifts to Diwali morning itself.

This is why South Indian families who celebrate Deepavali with the morning oil bath will observe it on 8 November, the same day as Lakshmi Puja in the north.

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

The main festival night, when homes are lit with diyas and families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026 (New Delhi)

The Lakshmi Puja muhurat is the overlap of Pradosh Kaal (the period after sunset) and Vrishabha Kaal (a "fixed" ascendant believed to make wealth stay in the home).

Kali Puja in Bengal

In West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, the same Amavasya night is celebrated as Kali Puja, with worship performed around midnight (Nishita Kaal) on 8 November.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja / Annakut (Tuesday, 10 November 2026)

Govardhan Puja celebrates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from Indra's storms.

Govardhan Puja 2026 Timing

• Pratipada tithi: 12:31 PM, 9 November to about 2:00 PM, 10 November

• Puja time: morning of 10 November, after sunrise (6:39 AM in Delhi)

Devotees prepare Annakut, a "mountain" of food offered to Krishna. In Gujarat, this day is also Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year.

Some calendars list Govardhan Puja on 9 November. Most panchangs that follow the sunrise (udaya tithi) rule place it on 10 November, so check your local temple's schedule.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj (Wednesday, 11 November 2026)

Bhai Dooj, also called Yama Dwitiya or Bhau Beej, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life.

Bhai Dooj 2026 Timing

• Dwitiya tithi: begins around 2:00 PM on 10 November

• Tilak time: afternoon (Aparahna Kaal) on 11 November is preferred by most panchangs

Some sources list Bhai Dooj on 10 November. If your family follows a specific calendar, go with that.

Practical Examples: Planning Your Diwali 2026

Example 1: Adjusting the Muhurat for Your City

Muhurat follows local sunset. On these dates, sunset is around 5:30 PM in Delhi, about 6:00 PM in Mumbai and close to 4:55 PM in Kolkata. So if you live in Mumbai, expect your Lakshmi Puja window to start roughly 30 minutes later than Delhi's. In Kolkata, it starts roughly 35 minutes earlier.

Example 2: A Simple Diwali-Night Schedule (Delhi)

• 5:00 PM: finish rangoli and arrange the puja thali

• 5:31 PM: Pradosh Kaal begins; light the first diyas

• 5:54 PM: start Lakshmi-Ganesh puja

• 7:50 PM: muhurat ends; aarti and prasad

• 8:00 PM onwards: family dinner and lamps around the house

Example 3: Planning Dhanteras Shopping

Dhanteras falls on a Friday, so markets will be crowded in the evening. Many people shop in the afternoon (after Trayodashi begins) and keep the evening free for puja.

Example 4: Booking Travel Home

Diwali falls on a Sunday, giving a Friday-to-Sunday weekend. To stay for Bhai Dooj on Wednesday, plan a five-day trip and book trains early.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Following Viral Forwards Without Checking

Some posts still claim Diwali 2026 is on 20 or 21 October. That is incorrect. Diwali 2026 is on 8 November.

Using Delhi Timings in Every City

A Delhi muhurat used in Mumbai or Kolkata can be off by 30 minutes or more. Always use your city's timing.

Doing Puja Outside the Muhurat Window

Guests arriving late often push puja past the window. Set a reminder for the start time.

Mixing Up Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj Dates

Because of the gap day on 9 November, many people may assume Govardhan Puja is on Monday. Check your local calendar.

Buying Sharp or Iron Items on Dhanteras

Traditional belief advises against buying knives, scissors or iron objects on Dhanteras. Stick to metals like gold, silver, brass or copper if you follow the custom.

Ignoring Safety and Air Quality

Firecrackers worsen November smog in North India. Follow local rules on green crackers and keep water nearby when lighting diyas.

Benefits of Planning Diwali by the Panchang

Spiritual Alignment

Performing puja during the right muhurat follows centuries of tradition and gives the ritual its intended meaning.

Less Stress, Better Family Time

A clear calendar helps you plan shopping, cleaning, cooking and travel in advance, so festival days are spent with family instead of rushing.

Smarter Shopping

Knowing the exact Dhanteras date helps you plan gold or electronics purchases around festive sales without last-minute pressure.

How Diwali Is Celebrated Across India

Interestingly, in 2026 the main celebrations in the north and south fall on the same day, 8 November, because the Chaturdashi oil bath and the Amavasya puja happen on one civil date.

Conclusion

Here is your Diwali 2026 calendar in one line each:

• Dhanteras: Friday, 6 November

• Choti Diwali: Saturday, 7 November (evening); Abhyang Snan on 8 November morning

• Diwali / Lakshmi Puja: Sunday, 8 November, 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM (Delhi)

• Govardhan Puja: Tuesday, 10 November

• Bhai Dooj: Wednesday, 11 November

Save this calendar, share it with family, and confirm local timings with your panchang or priest. Wishing you and your family a bright, safe and prosperous Diwali! For more festival guides and practical explainers, visit the GeekDas blog.