Diwali 2026 Complete Schedule: Dates for Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, Auspicious Muhurat, and Ritual Rules The five-day festival of Diwali in 2026 will run from Dhanteras on November 6 to Bhai Dooj, with the main Lakshmi Puja falling on November 8 during Pradosh Kaal. Diwali, the revered festival of lights, stands as one of the most prominent celebrations across India and Hindu communities globally. Marking the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, the festival takes place during the auspicious phase of Kartik Amavasya. Across its traditional five-day duration, each day carries unique spiritual significance, ritual observances, and opportunities for auspicious beginnings. In 2026, the festive cycle will unfold during the initial half of November, bringing together rituals dedicated to health, prosperity, familial bonds, and divine grace. Complete Schedule for Diwali 2026 The festivities commence with Dhanteras, which is scheduled for November 6, 2026. Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, is dedicated to the worship of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, alongside Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. The day holds deep commercial and spiritual value, as people traditionally purchase precious metals such as gold and silver, kitchen utensils, vehicles, and real estate. These investments are considered harbingers of continued abundance and good fortune for households and businesses. Following Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, commonly referred to as Kali Chaudas or Naraka Chaturdashi, will be celebrated on November 7, 2026. Falling on the fourteenth day of the lunar month of Kartik, this day commemorates the defeat and elimination of the demon king Narakasura through the combined efforts of Lord Krishna, Satyabhama, and Goddess Kali. Devotees commemorate the victory of righteousness by illuminating their verandas with earthen lamps and bursting crackers in celebration. The central day of the festive period, Lakshmi Puja, will take place on November 8, 2026. Occurring on Kartik Amavasya, this day involves extensive prayers offered to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity governing wealth, light, and well-being, along with Lord Ganesha. Homes are cleaned, decorated with colorful rangoli patterns, and filled with glowing diyas. On this evening, the domestic financial markets also conduct their customary Muhurat trading session, offering an auspicious window for stock market investors to place trades and seek enduring financial growth. Following the main Diwali celebration, Govardhan Puja, also celebrated as Annakut, will be held on November 10, 2026. This ritual honors Lord Krishna's act of lifting the Govardhan mountain to shelter the inhabitants of Gokul from devastating rains. As part of the Annakut custom, devotees prepare and present an elaborate spread representing a hill of food as an act of devotion and shelter in divinity. The five-day period concludes with Bhai Dooj, a festival celebrating the sacred bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters apply a ceremonial tilak to their brothers' foreheads and offer prayers for their longevity, health, and happiness. Lakshmi Puja 2026 Muhurat and Tithi Details Determining the right time window for Lakshmi Puja is essential to traditional practice, with astrologers prioritizing stable planetary alignments such as Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Kaal. On November 8, 2026, the optimal window for performing Lakshmi Puja is between 5:54 PM and 7:50 PM. This period aligns with Vrishabha Kaal, a fixed lagna believed to foster enduring peace and sustained prosperity within the home. The broader evening interval known as Pradosh Kaal spans from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM. Regarding the lunar calendar, the Amavasya Tithi begins at 11:27 AM on November 8, 2026, and draws to a close at 12:31 PM on November 9, 2026. This auspicious duration governs religious practices across most parts of the country. Essential Dos for Lakshmi Puja Day • Maintain Physical and Mental Purity: Bathe early, wear clean and fresh garments, and cultivate a serene mindset before stepping into the puja room. • Face North or East During Prayers: Align your prayer seating and the altar toward the north or east to maximize the absorption of positive environmental energies. • Use Your Right Hand: Offer all sacred items, flowers, and sweets using your right hand or both hands together according to ritual discipline. • Ring the Ritual Bell: Sound the bell and blow the conch during the aarti to disperse stagnant vibrations and purify the household atmosphere. • Stay Centered and Focused: Recite the sacred hymns and stotrams with undivided devotion rather than treating the ritual as a hurried task. • Involve the Entire Household: Gather all family members together for the primary aarti, reinforcing collective harmony and shared blessings. • Maintain Uplifting Conversation: Speak pleasantly and abstain from arguments, harsh speech, or grievances throughout the day of worship. • Illuminate Every Corner: Arrange earthen oil lamps along windowsills, main entrances, and garden boundaries to banish darkness completely. • Open Doors and Windows: Unlatch the primary entrance during the puja muhurat to welcome positive cosmic energies and divine grace into the house. • Present Fresh Offerings: Utilize only freshly plucked flowers, undamaged fruit, and unadulterated ingredients while preparing offerings for the deities. Key Don'ts to Observe on Puja Day • Avoid Non-Vegetarian Food and Alcohol: Abstain entirely from meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and intoxicating beverages throughout the festive day. • Do Not Tolerate Clutter: Eliminate dirt, dust, spiderwebs, and disorganized spaces, as clutter is traditionally viewed as an impediment to prosperity. • Avoid Arguments and Strife: Steer clear of household disputes, heated debates, and emotional friction, keeping the ambiance calm and cordial. • Never Leave the Entryway Unlit: Keep the threshold and front veranda well-illuminated throughout the evening hours of Lakshmi Puja. • Resist Idleness and Daytime Sleep: Avoid sleeping during the daytime hours or immediately following the conclusion of the evening rituals. • Do Not Waste Food: Serve food mindfully to avoid throwing away leftovers, respecting every grain as a manifestation of divine blessing. • Avoid Leather Accessories: Do not wear leather belts, wristbands, or shoes within or near the sacred prayer enclosure. • Never Rush the Ceremony: Give the prayers adequate time, following traditional steps calmly rather than rushing through the recitations. • Steer Clear of Black Clothing: Avoid black and sombre shades for the occasion, opting instead for auspicious festive colors like yellow, red, or cream. • Discard Broken or Damaged Objects: Remove broken glassware, inactive wall clocks, and damaged mirrors before the festivities commence. The Significance of Kartik Amavasya In the framework of traditional Indian calendars, Kartik Amavasya carries profound spiritual gravity. The entire month of Kartik is observed as a period of heightened divine reception, disciplined living, and spiritual reflection. Mythological records trace the emergence of Goddess Lakshmi from the churning of the cosmic ocean to this specific new moon night. Consequently, participating in the dedicated rites, lighting lamps, and offering prayers during Kartik Amavasya is understood to dismantle past distress and invite lasting peace, equilibrium, and fulfillment into one's life. What this means for you This schedule enables households and investors to plan festive shopping, travel, and sacred rituals in alignment with auspicious timings. • Shopping and Purchases: With Dhanteras falling on November 6, 2026, buyers can budget and plan their purchases of precious metals, vehicles, and utensils well ahead of time. This ensures smoother transactions and avoids peak rush hours. • Punctual Religious Observance: The optimal Lakshmi Puja window of 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM on November 8, 2026, provides an exact timeframe for families to conduct evening ceremonies. Adhering to this window helps ensure rituals happen during the most favorable astrological lagna. • Stock Market Participation: Retail and institutional investors can prepare their capital and orders for the annual Muhurat trading session held during the evening of Lakshmi Puja. This window offers an established opportunity to initiate fresh portfolios. • Holiday and Travel Logistics: Spanning from November 6 to November 10, the consecutive festival days allow working individuals and travelers to organize family leaves and transit schedules well in advance. Timely booking helps avoid surge pricing and ticket shortages. Why this happened The dates and auspicious windows for Diwali are calculated using the lunisolar Hindu calendar, aligned with solar and lunar positions. • Lunisolar Timing of Kartik Amavasya: The exact duration of Amavasya begins when the sun and moon align at the identical celestial longitude. In 2026, this lunar phase commences at 11:27 AM on November 8 and concludes at 12:31 PM on November 9. • Pradosh and Fixed Lagna Criteria: Traditional Vedic principles mandate that Lakshmi Puja be performed during Pradosh Kaal when a fixed sign (Vrishabha) rises in the evening sky. On November 8, this astronomical condition coincides between 5:54 PM and 7:50 PM, making it the most auspicious window. • Mythological and Seasonal Context: The festival sequence commemorates key mythological events, including the vanquishing of Narakasura on Chaturdashi, the ocean emergence of Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya on Amavasya. These historical narratives form the bedrock of the annual observance. • Agrarian and Familial Cycles: Govardhan Puja celebrates the harvest and ecological gratitude through Annakut, followed immediately by Bhai Dooj to honor familial relationships. This chronological structure unites spiritual, agricultural, and social dimensions across five days. Questions & Answers 1. On what date will Dhanteras be celebrated in 2026? Dhanteras will be observed on November 6, 2026, marking the start of the five-day festival. 2. What is the date for main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja in 2026? The primary Diwali festival and Lakshmi Puja will be celebrated on November 8, 2026. 3. What is the best muhurat for Lakshmi Puja on November 8, 2026? The most auspicious window for Lakshmi Puja runs from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM during Vrishabha Kaal. 4. When does the Kartik Amavasya Tithi begin and end? The Amavasya Tithi begins at 11:27 AM on November 8, 2026, and ends at 12:31 PM on November 9, 2026. 5. When will Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj take place? Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on November 10, 2026, which is followed by the celebration of Bhai Dooj. 6. What colors should be avoided during Lakshmi Puja? Black and sombre garments should be avoided, with traditional preferences leaning toward red, yellow, or saffron. https://trendkia.com/en/festivals/diwali-2026-dates-dhanteras-choti-diwali-lakshmi-puja-muhurat-dos-donts-52457 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.