Diwali 2026 Dates: When Is Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja; Muhurat, Kartik Amavasya Tithi, Dos & Donts

Diwali, India's five-day festival of lights is all set to begin next week, with each day holding spiritual significance and marking auspicious beginnings and investments. This year, Diwali falls during the time of Kartik Amasvya which astrologers believe is holy and harbours divine blessing and prosperity for Hindus across the world. That being said, here's everything you need to know about the Diwali festival in 2026.

Diwali 2026 Dates:

Dhanteras Date:

The festival will begin with Dhanteras on November 6, 2026. This day is for worshipping Lord Dhanvantari, Lakshmi and Kubera. The majority of devotees buy precious metals like gold, silver, utensils or invest in property on Dhanteras, as it is a symbol of good fortune. Goddess Lakshmi is basically the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Choti Diwali Date:

Just before the main Diwali, devotees celebrate Choti Diwali, or Kali Chaudas, which falls on November 7, 2026. Marked as the fourteenth day in the Kartik month, Choti Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the killing of Narakasura, who was the demon king, by the hands of Lord Krishna, Satyabhama & Goddess Kali. Hence, devotees traditionally light diyas and burst firecrackers as a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

Lakshmi Puja Date

Lakshmi Puja is the biggest day of the Diwali festival, and this year it will be celebrated on November 8, 2026.

Lakshmi Puja is a Hindu occasion for the veneration of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and the Supreme Goddess of Vaishnavism. The occasion is celebrated on the Amavasya in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Ashvin or Kartika, on the third day of Deepavali in Nepal and most parts of India, as per Wikipedia.

During the Lakshmi Puja evening, even the Indian stock market is open for investors who plan to invest as they believe that anything invested in this auspicious moment will bring prosperity and great growth to their investment.

Govardhan Puja Date

Govardhan Puja which is also called as Annakut will be celebrated on November 10, 2026, in remembrance of Lord Krishna and Govardhan. As per Wikipedia, devotees offer a mountain of food, metaphorically representing the Govardhan Hill, to God as a ritual remembrance and to renew their faith in taking refuge in God.

Bhai Dooj Date

Bhai dooj is the auspicious celebration in India that represents the beautiful bond between brothers and sisters. Similar to Raksha Bandhan, Bhai dooj is the last day of Diwali, where sisters put Tika on their brothers' foreheads, showcasing their love and prayer for a healthy and prosperous life for their brothers.

Diwali 2026 Puja Muhurat and Amavasya Timing

As per Drik Panchang, the best muhurat for Lakshmi Puja is from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM on November 8, 2026. Here are the details:

Pradosh Kaal - 05:31 PM to 08:09 PM
Vrishabha Kaal - 05:54 PM to 07:50 PM

Amavasya Tithi Begins - 11:27 AM on Nov 08, 2026
Amavasya Tithi Ends - 12:31 PM on Nov 09, 2026

This is applicable for majority states in India.

Dos & Donts At Lakshmi Pujan Day:

As per AstroPuja website, here are a host of dos and donts to do on the Lakhsmi Pujan day: Here's the full list.

Do's (Auspicious Actions)	Don'ts (Actions to Avoid)
1. Maintain Purity: Ensure physical and mental cleanliness before and during the puja	1. Avoid Non-Vegetarian Food: Don't consume meat, eggs, or alcohol on puja day
2. Face East or North: Position yourself and the altar in these directions for maximum positive energy	2. Don't Keep Dirty Spaces: Cluttered or unclean areas repel prosperity
3. Use Right Hand: Offer all items with your right hand or both hands	3. Avoid Quarrels: Maintain harmony and avoid arguments or conflicts
4. Ring Bell: Ring the bell during offerings to ward off negative energies	4. Don't Leave Entrance Dark: Never keep the main door area unlit during Lakshmi Puja
5. Stay Focused: Maintain concentration and devotion throughout the ritual	5. Avoid Laziness: Don't sleep during or immediately after the puja
6. Include Family: Encourage all family members to participate	6. Don't Waste Food: Goddess Lakshmi dislikes wastefulness
7. Speak Positively: Avoid negative talk or complaints during puja time	7. Avoid Leather Items: Don't wear leather shoes or belts near the puja area
8. Keep Home Illuminated: Light diyas in all corners of the house	8. Don't Rush: Never hurry through the ritual
9. Open Doors and Windows: Keep the main entrance open during muhurat to welcome Goddess Lakshmi	9. Avoid Black Clothes: Black color is considered inauspicious for this puja
10. Offer Fresh Items: Use only fresh flowers, fruits, and ingredients	10. Don't Keep Broken Items: Remove all damaged or broken objects from home

Why Kartik Amavasya Is Important?

The Kartik Amavasya 2026 is too auspicious and observed with much reverence by the Hindus. The Kartik month is regarded as holy and harbors immense spiritual energy. By partaking in the Kartika Amavasya puja vidhi and rituals, devotees believe they receive divine blessings and unlock the door to spiritual development, as per Anytime Astro website.