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Diwali 2026 Is on 8 November: Lakshmi Puja Timings, and Why Calendars Disagree on the Other Days
Lakshmi Puja, the main day of Diwali, falls on Sunday 8 November 2026 in India, with the New Delhi muhurat from 5:54pm to 7:50pm. Calendars disagree on the dates of the surrounding days, and timings abroad depend on your city.
Published Nov. 2, 2026, 06:30 GMT
Last updated: 2 Nov 2026References
The main day
Major panchangs agree that Diwali's Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. For New Delhi, News18, citing Drik Panchang, gives:
- Lakshmi Puja muhurat: 5:54pm to 7:50pm on 8 November
- Pradosh Kaal: 5:31pm to 8:09pm
- Amavasya tithi: from 11:27am on 8 November to 12:31pm on 9 November
Timings shift with your location, even within India, so check a panchang for your own city.
The festival days, and where sources differ
| Day | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vasu Baras (Maharashtra) | Thu 5 Nov | Free Press Journal |
| Dhanteras | Fri 6 Nov | Sources agree |
| Choti Diwali | 7 Nov or 8 Nov | News18 and Almanac say 7th; Prokerala says 8th |
| Lakshmi Puja (Diwali) | Sun 8 Nov | Sources agree |
| Govardhan Puja | 9 Nov or 10 Nov | Sources differ |
| Bhai Dooj | 10 Nov or 11 Nov | Almanac says 10th; Prokerala says 11th |
Why the disagreement? Hindu festival dates follow lunar days (tithis), which start and end at different clock times. When a tithi spans two calendar days, traditions differ on which day to observe. Follow your family's tradition or your local mandir.
Celebrating outside India
Because the new moon falls at a different local time, the evening puja can land on a different date abroad. Prokerala's city tables list a Vrishabha Kaal on the evening of 7 November for London (4:35pm to 6:12pm) and New York (5:04pm to 6:52pm), and on 8 November for Sydney (8:04pm to 10:25pm). Many diaspora temples publish their own timings; check yours before you plan.
One festival, several meanings
- Hindus mark Rama's return to Ayodhya and worship Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity.
- Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, the release of Guru Hargobind, who secured the freedom of 52 princes.
- Jains mark the nirvana of Mahavira.
A safety note
Keep diyas and candles away from curtains and children's reach, and check local rules on fireworks, which vary by city and by country.
How we wrote this: our staff read the reporting listed below, checked the facts against more than one source where possible, and wrote this piece in our own words. Anything not confirmed is labelled. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
