Diwali 2026 Calendar: Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, Day by Day

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Every year the same question lands in our family WhatsApp group around mid-October: "Diwali kab hai is baar?" So here is the whole week laid out once, with dates, what each day means, and the practical stuff, like what to buy and when.

Quick note on dates: the main days below match most Indian calendars. Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj can shift by a day depending on where you live, because the tithi is worked out from local sunrise. When in doubt, go with your family's panchang.

Day 1: Dhanteras, Friday 6 November

Dhanteras opens the festival. It honours Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi, and it's considered the most auspicious day of the year to bring something new into the house, usually metal.

• What people buy: gold or silver coins, a new steel or brass utensil, and, in a lot of homes, a new broom (jhadu), which is said to sweep out poverty.
• In the evening: a diya is lit outside the main door for Yama, the god of death. This is called Yama Deepam.

If you're ordering online, place orders a few days early. Delivery slots fill up in Diwali week. Our Dhanteras buying guide covers what's worth it and what isn't.

Silver Lakshmi-Ganesh coins (999 purity) · Brass puja thali sets

Day 2: Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi), Saturday 7 November

This day marks Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. Many families do an early-morning oil bath (abhyang snan) with ubtan, and light a few diyas in the evening as a warm-up for the big night.

Practically, this is the cleaning and decorating day. Rangoli goes down, lights go up, and the sweets order is collected.

Rangoli colour sets · Warm white string lights

Day 3: Diwali and Lakshmi Puja, Sunday 8 November

The main night. Homes are lit up, Lakshmi Puja is done in the evening during the pradosh kaal muhurat, and then it's sweets, family and, depending on your city's rules, a few green crackers.

Keep the puja samagri ready a day before so nobody is running to the market at 6 pm. We made a full Lakshmi Puja samagri checklist you can tick off.

Lakshmi-Ganesh idols · Handmade clay diyas

Day 4: Govardhan Puja and Annakut, Monday 9 / Tuesday 10 November

Govardhan Puja remembers Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to protect the people of Vraj. Many homes make a small "hill" of cow dung or prepare Annakut, a big spread of dishes offered to the deity. In Gujarat this day is also Bestu Varas, the New Year.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj, Tuesday 10 / Wednesday 11 November

Sisters do tilak and aarti for their brothers and pray for their long life. Brothers give a gift in return. If you're the brother and you're reading this the night before, our Bhai Dooj gift ideas post is for you.

A simple Diwali-week planner

That's the week. Bookmark this page and share it in the family group, and save yourself the "Diwali kab hai" debate.