Diwali 2026

What is Diwali?

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights and one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world. Its name comes from the Sanskrit "deepavali" — a row of lamps. Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, of good over evil and of knowledge over ignorance. The main day falls on the Amavasya (new moon) of the lunar month of Kartika in the North Indian calendar, usually in October or November, and the festivities usually run over five days.

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and many Buddhists, each with their own reasons, and is a public holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Malaysia and Singapore.

Why is Diwali celebrated?

The most popular story is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lit rows of lamps to welcome him home. In South India, Deepavali is linked to Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. Diwali is also the night when Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is believed to visit clean, well-lit homes. In Bengal and Odisha the same night is celebrated as Kali Puja. For Jains, it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira; for Sikhs, it coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas.

What are the five days of Diwali?

Day 1 — Dhanteras

Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi) honours Dhanvantari, the god of medicine, and Goddess Lakshmi. It is considered auspicious to buy gold, silver, utensils or new items, and many families light a lamp facing south for Yama, the god of death, to protect the household.

Day 2 — Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)

This day celebrates Krishna's victory over Narakasura. In many homes, people wake before dawn for an abhyanga snan — an oil bath with ubtan — and light lamps in the evening. In South India this is the main day of Deepavali.

Day 3 — Lakshmi Puja (Diwali)

The main day. Homes are cleaned, decorated with rangoli and marigolds, and lit with diyas and lights. In the evening, during the auspicious Pradosh period, families perform Lakshmi-Ganesh puja and offer sweets, kheel-batashe, coins and flowers. Businesses traditionally begin new account books (Chopda Pujan). The night ends with lamps on every doorstep, and in many places with fireworks.

Day 4 — Govardhan Puja and Annakut

This day celebrates Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to protect the people of Vrindavan from Indra's storms. Temples and families prepare Annakut, a "mountain of food" with dozens of dishes, as an offering. In Gujarat it is the new year (Bestu Varas), and in Maharashtra and Karnataka it is celebrated as Bali Pratipada.

Day 5 — Bhai Dooj

Sisters apply tilak to their brothers' foreheads and pray for their long life, and brothers give gifts in return. It is known as Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Bhai Phonta in Bengal.

How to perform Lakshmi Puja at home

1. Clean the house thoroughly and decorate the entrance with rangoli and a toran of mango leaves or marigolds.
2. Place a red cloth on a raised platform and set up idols or a picture of Lakshmi and Ganesha.
3. Install a kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut.
4. Light a ghee lamp and offer roli, akshat, flowers, sweets, kheel-batashe and coins while chanting Lakshmi and Ganesha mantras.
5. Perform the aarti together as a family, then light diyas throughout the home and at the entrance.

Check the Diwali puja samagri list for everything you need.

Diwali traditions across India

Every region has its own flavour of the festival. Ayodhya and Varanasi light lakhs of lamps on the ghats. In Bengal, Kali Puja is celebrated the same night. Gujarat celebrates its new year the next morning. In Goa, effigies of Narakasura are burnt before dawn. In South India, the oil bath and new clothes on Naraka Chaturdashi are the highlight, along with sweets such as Mysore pak and murukku. Across the country, families make or exchange sweets — laddoos, barfi, kaju katli, gujiya, chakli and more.

Diwali around the world

From Leicester's Belgrave Road in the UK to Times Square in New York, Singapore's Little India and Trafalgar Square in London, Diwali has become a major public celebration wherever Indian communities live. Temples and community associations hold Lakshmi pujas, melas and cultural programmes, often on the nearest weekend. Find Diwali events near you on MyPujaWorld's events map.

Celebrating a safe and green Diwali

• Use clay diyas instead of plastic decorations, and switch to LED lights for long displays.
• Follow local rules on fireworks and their timings, and keep water nearby when lighting them.
• Use natural colours, flowers and rice flour for rangoli.
• Keep pets indoors and consider the elderly and people with breathing problems during fireworks.

What is the message of Diwali?

A single lamp can remove the darkness of a whole room. Diwali reminds people to clear away negativity, renew relationships, share with those in need and welcome prosperity and wisdom into their lives — which is why it remains, for families everywhere, the brightest night of the year.