Diwali 2026: Dates and Temple Timings
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday 8 November 2026, and it is a Central Government holiday. The festival runs about five days, from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 11 November, says Drik Panchang.
Are you planning a temple visit around Diwali? A few days of the festival can have different dates in different cities.
This page shows each day and what the temples' own pages say.
When is Diwali 2026?
The main day is the same everywhere. The days around it can move by one day, depending on the city and the calendar.
| What | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Friday, 6 November 2026 | In New Delhi the puja time is 6:02 PM to 7:57 PM. |
| Choti Diwali (Roop Chaturdashi) | Saturday, 7 November 2026 | The Banke Bihari temple lists 7 November. Drik Panchang puts the morning oil bath on 8 November. |
| Diwali, Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, 8 November 2026 | In New Delhi the puja time is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM. The time depends on the city (Drik Panchang). |
| Kali Puja (Bengal) | Sunday, 8 November 2026 | The night worship runs into the early hours of 9 November. |
| Govardhan Puja (Annakut) | Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | This is the date for Delhi and Kolkata. Drik Panchang lists 9 November for Jaipur. |
| Bhai Dooj | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 | The tika (forehead mark) time is in the afternoon. |
What is Diwali 2026?
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the festival of lights. People say it stands for light over darkness. It lasts about five days. Lakshmi Puja on the new moon night is the key ritual (Drik Panchang).
People light clay lamps (diyas), clean and decorate their homes, share sweets and gifts, and burst firecrackers. Expect crowds and late evenings near temples on Lakshmi Puja day.
In Bengal and Odisha the same night is Kali Puja. Govardhan Puja is also called Annakut. Devotees offer food cooked from grains and vegetables to Lord Krishna (Drik Panchang).
Do temples change their timings on Diwali 2026?
Most temples did not post new darshan hours for Diwali. Here is what we found.
- Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
The temple's site lists Sharad Poornima on Monday 26 October. It lists Roop Chaturdashi and Chhoti Deepavali on Saturday 7 November, and Deepavali (Lakshmi Poojan) on Sunday 8 November. It lists no change to darshan hours, and it has no Annakut notice.
- Golden Temple, Amritsar
The SGPC's 2026-27 calendar lists Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) on 8 November. We found no 2026 notice about Harmandir Sahib timings.
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple
The temple's calendar lists Shyama Puja (Dipanwita Kali Puja) on 8 November and Jagaddhatri Puja on 18 November. The temple calls Dipanwita Kali Puja its most celebrated yearly festival, with special worship, Vedic chants, devotional music and night-long rituals. It published no change to darshan hours.
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
The temple's festival table lists Naraka Chaturdasi on 7 November. On 8 November it lists Deepavali, with the Namperumal procession at 10:00 AM. On 9 November there is an Amavasai procession at 10:00 AM.
- Jagannath Temple, Puri
The temple's calendar lists Rama Ekadasi on 5 November, and Dipabali Amabasya and Sagara Bije on 9 November. It states no change to darshan hours.
We found no 2026 Diwali notice for Kashi Vishwanath, Vaishno Devi, Kalighat or Siddhivinayak. Prem Mandir's site shows no Diwali notice. Its normal hours are 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Some blogs say Banke Bihari changes its hours after Diwali. We found that only on blogs, not on the temple's site, so we do not list it.
Tips for your visit
- Ask the temple about the puja time for your city. The muhurat (best time) changes with the place.
- Expect crowds in the evening of 8 November, so you could go earlier in the day.
- For Govardhan Puja in the Braj region, check the temple's notice. The date can be 9 or 10 November.
- Check the temple's own site before you travel, as rules can change at short notice.
Diwali 2026 questions
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali, with Lakshmi Puja, is on Sunday 8 November 2026. It is a Central Government holiday.
When is Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November 2026, says Drik Panchang.
When is Govardhan Puja 2026?
It is on 10 November for Delhi and Kolkata (Drik Panchang). For Jaipur it lists 9 November.
Is Choti Diwali on 7 or 8 November?
The Banke Bihari temple's site lists 7 November. Drik Panchang puts the morning oil bath on 8 November. Ask your local temple which day it follows.
Quick summary
Diwali is on 8 November, and the five days run from 6 to 11 November.
We found no change to darshan hours at the temples we checked, but check the temple's own notice.
Diwali is on Sunday 8 November 2026. The five-day festival runs from 6 to 11 November.
More festivals coming up
- Navratri and Durga Puja 2026 (11 to 21 October 2026)
- Dussehra 2026 (20 to 21 October 2026)
- Sabarimala Mandalam and Makaravilakku Season 2026-27 (17 November 2026 to 15 January 2027)
- Dev Deepawali and Kartik Purnima 2026 (Tuesday, 24 November 2026)
- See the full festival list