Festival guide
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated on the new moon (Amavasya) at the end of Ashwin (amanta) or in the middle of Kartika (purnimanta). Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening, during the pradosh period when Amavasya prevails.
Diwali dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 8 November | Ashwin Krishna Amavasya 8 Nov, 11:28 → 9 Nov, 12:32 |
| 2027 | Friday 29 October | Ashwin Krishna Amavasya 28 Oct, 20:48 → 29 Oct, 19:06 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi in the evening (pradosh).
Also known as: Deepavali, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja (Bengal).
Story and significance
In North India Diwali marks Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, when the city was lit with lamps. Other traditions celebrate Krishna’s victory over Narakasura, Lakshmi’s emergence from the ocean, and — for Jains — the nirvana of Mahavira.
How Diwali is celebrated
- Cleaning and decorating the home with diyas, lights and rangoli
- Lakshmi–Ganesha puja at the evening muhurat
- Sweets, gifts and new clothes shared with family and neighbours
- Opening new account books (Chopda Pujan) for traders
- Kali Puja at night in Bengal
Recite on Diwali: Om Jai Jagdish Hare · Lakshmi Aarti — Om Jai Lakshmi Mata
How to perform the puja: Diwali Lakshmi Puja Vidhi — step by step, with a samagri checklist and timings.
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Diwali 2027?
Diwali 2027 falls on Friday, 29 October 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Diwali change every year?
Diwali is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Krishna Paksha Amavasya of Ashwin (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Diwali fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.