Diwali, also called Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is one of India’s most popular festivals. Families celebrate by lighting diyas, making colorful rangolis, offering prayers, and sharing sweets and gifts. Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Families also pray to Goddess Lakshmi for a happy, peaceful, and prosperous life. Here is everything you need to know about the Diwali 2026 date, puja timings, history, and traditions.

When Is Diwali 2026? Date and Lakshmi Puja Timings

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8. Most families offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi in the evening, around sunset. According to Drik Panchang, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in New Delhi is from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM. Here are the important Diwali 2026 dates and timings:

• Diwali 2026: Sunday, November 8
• Dhanteras 2026: Friday, November 6
• Choti Diwali 2026: November 8 in much of India, with some regional calendars observing it on November 7.
• Lakshmi Puja Timings: 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM.
• Amavasya Starts: November 8 at 11:27 AM.
• Amavasya Ends: November 9 at 12:31 PM.

Note: These puja timings are for New Delhi (IST). Timings may vary in other cities, so it’s best to check your local panchang before performing Lakshmi Puja.

Why Is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. One of the most popular Hindu traditions connects the festival to Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. People celebrated his return by lighting diyas across Ayodhya. During Diwali, families also pray to Goddess Lakshmi for a happy, healthy, and prosperous life.

Diwali also holds religious significance for other communities. Jains celebrate the spiritual liberation of Lord Mahavira. While the reasons for celebrating may differ, Diwali is a special time for families to come together and enjoy the festivities.

Story Behind Diwali Celebrations

The Ramayana tells one of the most popular stories associated with Diwali. According to the story, Lord Rama left Ayodhya and spent 14 years in exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. During their time in the forest, Ravana, the king of Lanka, kidnapped Sita. Rama set out to find her with the help of Hanuman and his allies. After a long battle, Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita.

According to the traditional account associated with Diwali, people in Ayodhya welcomed Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana home by lighting diyas all around the city. The glowing lamps were their way of welcoming Rama home after so many years. This is one of the reasons people light diyas during Diwali. For many families, the lamps are a reminder that good can overcome evil and that difficult times do not last forever.

How Is Diwali Celebrated Across India?

Diwali celebrations vary across India. Most families light diyas, decorate their homes, wear new clothes, and share sweets with loved ones. Each region also has its own traditions.

North India: Families decorate their homes with diyas and lights, perform Lakshmi Puja, and spend time with relatives and friends. Sharing sweets is also a big part of the celebrations.

Gujarat: The Gujarati New Year follows Diwali, although its date depends on the regional calendar. Many business owners perform Chopda Puja, a tradition in which they offer prayers over their account books and hope for a successful year ahead.

West Bengal: Kali Puja is an important part of the celebrations. People offer prayers to Goddess Kali and decorate their homes with diyas and colorful lights.

Maharashtra: Diwali celebrations continue for several days. Families follow traditions such as Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, and Bhau Beej. Families also make traditional snacks and sweets to enjoy and share with their loved ones.

South India: Many families start the day with a traditional oil bath, wear new clothes, offer prayers, and enjoy sweets. In several South Indian traditions, Deepavali also celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura.

These traditions may be different, but they all make Diwali a special time for families to come together and celebrate.

Why Do People Light Diyas and Make Rangoli on Diwali?

Lighting diyas and making rangoli are two popular Diwali traditions. Both add beauty to the celebrations and carry special meanings.

Significance of Lighting Diyas

During Diwali, families light small clay lamps called diyas and place them near doors, windows, balconies, and prayer areas. Lighting diyas symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. They also symbolize hope, happiness, and positive energy. According to the traditional story, people lit oil lamps to welcome Lord Rama back to Ayodhya. Families continue this custom as an important part of Diwali celebrations.

Importance of Rangoli During Diwali

Rangoli is a colorful design that people create on the floor, usually near the entrance of their homes. Families use colored powders, flowers, rice flour, and other materials to make beautiful patterns. Rangoli adds a festive touch to homes and symbolizes a warm welcome, happiness, and good fortune. Many people also believe that decorating their entrances creates a welcoming space for Goddess Lakshmi.

Diwali 2026 will be celebrated on November 8, bringing families together through lights, prayers, sweets, and traditions. If you’re planning to visit family or friends abroad this Diwali, check out Indian Eagle deals on international flights to plan your festive trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali, also called Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in India.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Diwali 2026?

In New Delhi, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is between 5:54 PM and 7:50 PM on November 8, 2026. Timings may vary by city.

When is Choti Diwali in 2026?

Choti Diwali is observed on November 8 in much of India in 2026, although some regional calendars mark it on November 7. The pre-dawn Naraka Chaturdashi observance falls on November 8.

Why do people celebrate Diwali?

Diwali reminds people that goodness and light can overcome evil and darkness. A popular Hindu tradition connects the festival with Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

Why do people light diyas on Diwali?

People light diyas to symbolize hope, happiness, and the victory of light over darkness. The tradition is also associated with welcoming Lord Rama back to Ayodhya.

Which gods are worshipped during Diwali?

Many Hindu families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha during Diwali. They seek blessings for prosperity, happiness, and new beginnings.

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Diwali is the most auspicious and vibrant hindu festival, which is celebrated with immense joy across all traditions in India. Also called Deepawali, it is the ‘celebration of lights’, where it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness & good over evil. Diwali is a 5 days long festival, starting with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj. In this blog, you’ll know what’s the significance of Diwali and how it’s celebrated in different states of India. 

Significance of Diwali

The festival Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya with Maa Sita after spending 14 years in exile and killing the king of Lanka, Ravana. When Diwali celebrations in India start, the entire country unifies, people bond with their loved ones and some also start cleaning the house one month in advance. On the main day of Diwali festival, people worship for prosperity to Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha, exchange gifts with loved ones, and much more. 

Diwali is not just a festival to celebrate but it’s an emotion that builds strong relationships with the loved ones. The importance of Diwali is indefinite, you can call it a great feast festival, festival of love, etc. The vibe during Diwali is amazing! 

How is Diwali Celebrated in Different States of India?

Significance of Diwali is the same but it is celebrated in different ways in different states of India. Every state has a unique way of celebrating Diwali that illuminates the cultural landscape of the most famous festival of India. Continue reading to know about how Diwali is celebrated in six different states of India. 

Himachal (Bhudi Diwali)

In Himachal Pradesh, the Diwali festival is celebrated in a very traditional way called “Bhudi Diwali”, which falls after the main deepawali in India. It is observed after Kartik Krishna Amavasya. This has its own customs and rituals, and is believed to have originated in the Chamba region of the state and eventually spread to other parts. Villagers light bonfires, dance and even sing folk songs to commemorate the victory of good over evil. It is especially popular in Himachal’s Kullu region. This is believed to celebrate the historic return of the local warriors and also honors ancestral spirits. 

Punjab (Bandi Chhor Divas)

Sikh community celebrates Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas, the day when Guru Hargobind Ji was released from the imprisonment in Gwalior fort. People visit gurudwara to celebrate the festival, and listen to kirtans and stories. Also, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is decorated beautifully and fireworks are displayed in a very grand way. 

Maharashtra (Narak Chaturdashi)

Maharashtrian people celebrate Diwali with the tradition of ‘Narak Chaturdashi’ which signifies the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. They celebrate it with immense joy by starting the day by waking up early and taking a bath with oil before sunrise. Homes are cleaned and decorated with rangolis, people exchange sweets & snacks and much more. 

Telangana (Bathukamma)

People in Telangana celebrate Bathukamma festival as it coincides with the Diwali festival. It’s a floral festival where women in the house decorate and create colorful flower arrangements, participate in dance and songs and cook delicious snacks. This festival is celebrated by worshiping goddess Gauri. Families gather for puja and seek blessings from Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha. 

Bengal (Kali Puja)

People in West Bengal celebrate Diwali as Kali Pujo by worshiping Goddess Kali. They celebrate the day by decorating their homes & temples. Locals also conduct cultural programs and prepare Bengali sweets. In places where rituals are aggressively followed, animal sacrifices are made to honor the fierce aspect of the goddess. 

Uttar Pradesh (Diwali)

People in UP and other northern states celebrate this festival in a similar manner. Diwali in UP is celebrated with great fervor and traditional local customs. Before the Diwali festival begins, people start cleaning and decorating their homes with rangolis and LED lights, they light up diyas, burst firecrackers and exchange gifts. The streets and markets bustle with shoppers to purchase required items. Celebrations in cities like Ayodhya, where Lord Rama’s return is celebrated with grand Deepotsav events, and Varanasi, with its stunning Ganga Aarti and floating diyas, are major highlights. 

If you’re planning to travel India to see how the festival of lights is celebrated then book your flights using Indian Eagle last minute deals. To book search flights to India, add your details and let your journey begin!

Significance of Diwali is very special because it is not just a festival, it’s a celebration of togetherness, joy, and happiness. India has many cultural differences, still the spirit of Diwali festival remains the same. It spreads love, builds connections and invokes blessings for prosperity and well-being. Every corner of India lights up with unique traditions that makes this festival truly special.

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