When is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali falls on 8 November 2026. That date is calculated for New Delhi; because the tithi begins and ends at a local clock time, Ganak recomputes it for your own city.

How is Diwali observed?

On the main Diwali night, clean and light the home, then worship Lakshmi with your family during the local evening puja period. A simple household observance needs sincere prayer, a safe lamp, flowers or another respectful offering, family naivedya, gratitude and sharing—it does not require an expensive display or a compulsory fast.

What is the significance of Diwali?

Diwali is the festival of rows of lights, observed on the Amavasya night at the centre of a wider festival sequence. Lamps express light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. In many North Indian homes the main worship honours Lakshmi, often with Ganesha, while other regions centre different deities and stories; those traditions are related and retain their own complete forms.

What are the food and fasting rules for Diwali?

If Lakshmi-puja fasting belongs to your household, keep its water, fruit, milk or meal discipline and complete it after the evening worship. Otherwise receive the family's festive vegetarian meal and prasad. Prepare the regional sweets and savouries loved in your home.

When is the parana — breaking the fast — for Diwali?

If your family observes a fast, complete it after the local evening Lakshmi puja and prasad according to the rule with which the fast was undertaken. Complete paran according to the household tradition.

How does Diwali vary by region?

North and much of western India In Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and the Hindi-speaking heartland, the Amavasya night is widely kept as Lakshmi Puja. Homes are cleaned and lit; rangoli or alpana may adorn the threshold; families gather for evening worship of Lakshmi, often with Ganesha first, then aarti, prasad and sweets shared among neighbours and kin. Diyas are placed at the doorway, balcony and altar — a visible sign of welcome and gratitude. Mithai, dry fruit and the family's festive meal follow local taste: peda in the North, mohanthal in Gujarat, ghevar where the season allows. Business households may worship the account book or Kubera on Dhanteras or this night; that is a respected trader's custom, not a rule every home must follow. The mood is warmth, renewal and honest prosperity — lamps for Rama's welcome in the Ramayana memory of the region, and Lakshmi as the gracious hostess of the household. Bengal and parts of eastern India On the same Kartik Amavasya, countless Bengali homes honour Ma Kali as Shyama or Kali Puja. Red hibiscus, bel leaves, a clay or metal image of the Goddess, and night-long arati replace the North Indian Lakshmi thali — not as a lesser form of Diwali, but as the region's own complete Shakta celebration of the night when the Divine Mother is felt nearest. Nishita or late-evening worship is common; dhunuchi dance, crackers in moderation and community pandals carry the festival into the streets. Odisha and Assam share strands of this eastern Amavasya mood while keeping their own local names and customs. A family that keeps Kali Puja should follow its Shakta timing and household steps; a family that keeps Lakshmi Puja should follow that distinct vidhi. Both belong to the same sacred night without being merged into one interchangeable ritual. Maharashtra and the western Deccan sequence Maharashtrian Diwali is a named sequence of days, not one interchangeable ritual. Vasubaras (Govatsa Dwadashi) honours the cow and calf; Dhantrayodashi brings Lakshmi-Kubera and Yama Deepam; Naraka Chaturdashi dawn brings abhyanga snan and chakli-karanji faral; Lakshmi Pujan fills the Amavasya evening; Bali Pratipada or Padwa opens the new year with Govardhan memory; Bhau Beej strengthens the sibling bond. Each day has its own food, greeting and puja — faral trays of karanji, chakli, shankarpali and ladoo are prepared across the five days. Early-morning oil bath, new clothes and the exchange of shodashopachara where the family already practises it give the sequence its rhythm. Keep each named day as its own observance: Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan and Bhai Dooj should not be folded into one generic lamp-lighting ritual.

Diwali — Date & Puja Guide

DiwaliDiwali is the festival of rows of lights, observed on the Amavasya night at the centre of a wider festival sequence. Local date, timing and puja guide.

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