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Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday 8 November this year. Here's what each of the five days means, the puja timing for major cities and a few practical planning tips.
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November. The five-day festival begins with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and ends with Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November. According to Drik Panchang, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in New Delhi is 5:54 pm to 7:50 pm IST. Timings differ city to city because they depend on local sunset.
Because Diwali falls in early November this year (later than in 2025), many families are only now starting to plan. Here's the full calendar.
| Day | Date | Festival | What people do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri, 6 Nov | Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) | Buy gold, silver, utensils; worship Dhanvantari and Kubera |
| 2 | Sat, 7 Nov | Narak Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali | Early-morning oil bath (abhyang snan), small lamps |
| 3 | Sun, 8 Nov | Diwali – Lakshmi Puja | Main puja in the evening, diyas, family gatherings |
| 4 | Mon, 9 Nov | Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Food offering to Krishna; Gujarati New Year in many communities |
| 5 | Tue, 10 Nov | Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya) | Sisters perform tilak for brothers |
Some panchangs show Narak Chaturdashi overlapping with the morning of 8 November because of how the tithis fall this year. If your family follows a specific regional calendar, check it for the morning rituals.
The New Delhi times come straight from Drik Panchang. Other city timings below are calculations using the same method and published by HinduTone; they should be read as approximate.
| City | Lakshmi Puja window (IST) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 5:54 pm – 7:50 pm |
| Mumbai | 6:28 pm – 8:28 pm |
| Kolkata | 5:20 pm – 7:19 pm |
| Chennai | 6:07 pm – 8:09 pm |
| Guwahati | 5:02 pm – 6:58 pm |
| Goa | 6:30 pm – 8:31 pm |
Why the timings differ: the puja is tied to Pradosh Kaal (the period just after sunset) and the fixed rising sign called Vrishabha lagna. Sunset in Guwahati is much earlier than in Goa, so the window moves too, even though everyone uses IST.
"Dhan" means wealth and "teras" refers to the thirteenth lunar day. The day honours Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods in Hindu tradition. That's why the Ministry of AYUSH marks National Ayurveda Day on Dhanteras each year.
It's also the busiest gold-buying day of the year. If you plan to buy jewellery, check for the BIS hallmark and the six-digit HUID code.
The day recalls Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. In much of south India, this is actually celebrated as the main Deepavali morning, with an oil bath before sunrise and new clothes.
The main night. Homes are cleaned, rangoli is drawn at the entrance and lamps are lit to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. In Bengal, Odisha and Assam the same night is celebrated as Kali Puja. Businesses in many parts of the country begin new account books (Chopda Pujan).
Devotees build a small "mountain" of food (Annakut) to remember Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter villagers from Indra's storm. In Gujarat, Bestu Varas (New Year) is typically observed around this day.
Sisters apply tilak and pray for their brothers' long life; brothers give gifts in return. It's called Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Bhai Phonta in Bengal.
Is Diwali on 8 November or 9 November in 2026?
Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday, 8 November, per Drik Panchang. Govardhan Puja is the next day.
Why is Diwali in November this year when it was in October last year?
The Hindu calendar is lunisolar. Diwali falls on the Amavasya (new moon) of Kartik (Purnimanta reckoning), which can land anywhere from mid-October to mid-November.
What is the best time to buy gold on Dhanteras 2026?
Families usually follow the Dhanteras puja muhurat from their local panchang on 6 November. From a consumer point of view, the more important check is hallmarking and price, not the time of day.
Is Diwali a public holiday?
Yes, it is a gazetted central government holiday. Exact dates of additional holidays (such as Govardhan Puja or Bhai Dooj) depend on the state.
Mark the calendar: Dhanteras on 6 November, Lakshmi Puja on the evening of 8 November, and Bhai Dooj on 10 November. Check your own city's puja timing, book travel early if you're heading home for Chhath as well, and enjoy a safe, bright festival.
