Diwali 2026 and 2027: date, muhurat and meaning
Quick answer
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026 (Delhi). Diwali, the festival of lights, falls on the new-moon night of Kartik, when families worship Lakshmi and Ganesh at dusk and light up their homes with diyas and rangoli.
Key takeaways
- 2026: Sunday, 8 November 2026
- 2027: Friday, 29 October 2027
- Each year's section explains which rule gave the date and how the muhurat was cut to the tithi.
- All times are for Delhi; abroad the tithi follows local time, so the date can differ by a day.
What is Diwali?
Diwali, from deepavali or 'row of lamps', is the heart of a five-day festival. North Indian calendars place it on Kartik Amavasya, the new moon of Kartik; calendars that end the month at the new moon (the amanta system) call the same night Ashwin Amavasya. Lighting lamps on one of the darkest nights of the year carries a simple message: a single flame is enough to push back the dark.
The stories behind it vary across India. In the North, it celebrates Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. Many believe Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and well-being, emerged from the churning of the ocean on this day, so every home is made ready to welcome her. In Bengal the same night is Kali Puja, Jains mark the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, and Sikhs observe Bandi Chhor Divas. One festival carries many meanings, all about light winning over darkness.
How Diwali is observed
Preparation starts weeks ahead with deep cleaning and fresh paint, since Lakshmi is believed to visit homes that are clean and bright. On the day, doorways get rangoli patterns, mango-leaf garlands and marigolds. Boxes of sweets and dry fruit go back and forth between neighbours and relatives, children get new clothes, and the evening ends with lamps, fairy lights and, in many places, fireworks.
At dusk the family sets up a low wooden platform covered with red cloth, with images of Lakshmi and Ganesh, a water pot (kalash), coins, puffed rice, sugar drops and sweets. Ganesh is worshipped first, then Lakshmi and Kuber, followed by aarti, after which diyas (small clay lamps) are placed in every room. Gujarati traders consecrate new account books in Chopda Pujan. Abroad, temples in cities such as Leicester, Toronto and Sydney hold community pujas and Diwali fairs.
Diwali 2026: date and muhurat (Delhi)
Sunday, 8 November 2026
On this day Amavasya (Krishna Paksha) covers more of pradosh kaal (three muhurtas after sunset).
- Tithi
- 8 Nov, 11:28 AM – 9 Nov, 12:31 PM
- Lakshmi puja (pradosh, Amavasya and Vrishabha lagna together)
- 5:55 PM – 7:50 PM
- Pradosh kaal (full)
- 5:31 PM – 8:09 PM
- Vrishabha lagna (fixed sign)
- 5:55 PM – 7:51 PM
- Mahanishita kaal (within Amavasya)
- 11:39 PM – 12:31 AM, 9 Nov
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:38 AM / 5:31 PM
- Rahu kaal (this day)
- 4:10 PM – 5:31 PM
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 5:31 PM – 8:09 PM
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 11:39 PM – 12:31 AM, 9 Nov
For Diwali the key window is pradosh kaal, the time just after sunset. Lakshmi Puja is done on the evening when amavasya is running during pradosh. If a fixed (sthir) lagna, such as Vrishabha (Taurus) rising, falls within that window, it is considered even better, because the belief is that wealth welcomed in a fixed sign stays. Those who follow tantric practice also observe nishita kaal, the deep middle of the night.
Diwali 2027: date and muhurat (Delhi)
Friday, 29 October 2027
On this day Amavasya (Krishna Paksha) covers more of pradosh kaal (three muhurtas after sunset).
Central government holiday (Delhi/New Delhi, DoPT): Diwali (Deepavali), Friday 29 October 2027.
- Tithi
- 28 Oct, 8:48 PM – 29 Oct, 7:06 PM
- Lakshmi puja (pradosh, Amavasya and Vrishabha lagna together)
- 6:35 PM – 7:06 PM
- Pradosh kaal (full)
- 5:39 PM – 8:13 PM
- Vrishabha lagna (fixed sign)
- 6:35 PM – 8:31 PM
- Mahanishita kaal (within Amavasya)
- None
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:31 AM / 5:39 PM
- Rahu kaal (this day)
- 10:41 AM – 12:05 PM
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 5:39 PM – 8:13 PM
On this day this period does not fall within the tithi, so there is no muhurat.
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 11:39 PM – 12:31 AM, 30 Oct
Diwali wishes
May the light of every diya fill your home with warmth, your heart with peace and your year with prosperity. Happy Diwali to you and your family.Send this on WhatsApp
More wishes will be added here soon.
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Frequently asked questions
What is pradosh kaal on Diwali?
Pradosh kaal is the window that begins at sunset, when day gives way to night. On Diwali, Lakshmi Puja is ideally done in this window while amavasya, the new-moon tithi, is in force. Since it is tied to local sunset, pradosh kaal starts at a different clock time in every city, so always use the timings calculated for your own location.
Why is Vrishabha lagna important for Lakshmi Puja?
Vrishabha (Taurus) is one of the four fixed, or sthir, rising signs in Vedic astrology, along with Simha, Vrischika and Kumbha. Work begun in a fixed lagna is believed to be stable and lasting. On Diwali evening, Vrishabha lagna usually rises close to pradosh kaal, so many families time their puja to fall where the two overlap.
What items are needed for Diwali Lakshmi Puja?
A typical list includes an idol or picture of Lakshmi and Ganesh, a red cloth and low stool, a kalash of water with mango leaves, roli, turmeric, unbroken rice, flowers, lotus seeds, puffed rice and sugar drops, sweets, coins, diyas, ghee or oil and incense. Many homes also place account books or the family safe near the altar. Lists vary by family custom.
What are the five days of Diwali?
The festival begins with Dhanteras, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali, then the main Diwali night with Lakshmi Puja on amavasya. The fourth day is Govardhan Puja or Annakut, and the fifth is Bhai Dooj. Because lunar days can stretch or shrink against solar days, two of these sometimes fall on the same day, or a gap day appears between them.
Why is Diwali on a different day in the USA or UK?
Diwali is fixed by the lunar calendar, and the deciding factor is whether amavasya is in force during pradosh kaal at your local sunset. Because sunset and time zone differ, the same tithi can line up with a different evening in New York or London than in Delhi. That is why panchangs prepared for the diaspora sometimes show a different date.
Can Lakshmi Puja be done at home without a priest?
Yes. Most families do Diwali Lakshmi Puja themselves, often led by the eldest member. A simple puja of lighting a lamp, offering flowers, rice and sweets to Ganesh and Lakshmi, reciting a short prayer or aarti, and sharing prasad is complete in itself. Those who prefer can invite a priest or join a temple puja, but sincere devotion matters most.