Diwali 2026: Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat & Vidhi

Diwali — the festival of lights — marks the victory of light over darkness, dharma over adharma, and hope over despair. In 2026, Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November.

Diwali 2026 — the five days

See every date of the year in our 2026 Hindu festival calendar.

Why is Diwali celebrated?

• Rama's return to Ayodhya: After 14 years of exile and victory over Ravana, when Lord Rama returned, the people of Ayodhya lit ghee lamps to welcome him — that became Deepavali.
• The worship of Lakshmi: The new-moon night of Kartik is believed to be when Goddess Lakshmi visits; homes are cleaned and lamps lit to welcome her.
• The message of light: Lighting a lamp on the darkest night of the month — that is the essence of this festival.

Lakshmi Puja vidhi (simple steps)

1. Clean the home; decorate the entrance with rangoli and diyas.
2. Spread a red cloth on a chowki and place the idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha (Ganesha on the right).
3. Place a kalash filled with water; light a diya and incense.
4. Worship Ganesha first — "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah".
5. Offer roli, akshat, lotus or marigold flowers, sweets and kheel-batashe to Goddess Lakshmi.
6. Chant the Lakshmi mantra and perform the aarti.
7. Light lamps throughout the home — especially at the main door and near the tulsi plant.

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद
श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः॥

Shri Lakshmi Mantra

Meaning: O Mahalakshmi, seated upon the lotus — be pleased, be pleased. Salutations to you.

Samagri checklist

Chowki & red cloth · Lakshmi-Ganesha idols · diyas with ghee/oil · roli, akshat · lotus or marigold flowers · sweets, kheel-batashe · coconut · kalash with water · incense · dakshina

Firecrackers and the animals around us

Diwali is a celebration for us. But the night we enjoy most is, for pets and for the street animals around us, the most frightening night of the year.

The reason is simple — they hear far more than we do. Dogs hear up to roughly 40–60 kHz; the human limit is about 20 kHz. A bang that sounds loud to us is many times louder to them, and repeated loud blasts can cause lasting damage to their hearing.

For pets at home — 8 simple things

1. Walk them before dusk. Crackers start once it's dark; finish the walk before that.
2. Keep them indoors at night, with doors and windows shut.
3. Draw the curtains. The flashes frighten them as much as the noise.
4. Make one safe corner — the innermost quiet room, with their bed, water and a favourite toy.
5. Play steady background sound — a fan, the TV or soft music takes the edge off each bang.
6. Put an ID tag on the collar, with your phone number, in case they do get out.
7. Don't scold them, and don't cling. Sit nearby and stay normal. Your calm settles them more than anything else.
8. Never give any sedative or calming medicine without a vet's advice — human medicines can poison animals. If it's severe every year, speak to your vet before Diwali.

Street dogs, cows and birds

• Never set off a cracker at or near an animal. Tying a firecracker to an animal is a crime — report it on 112 or to a local animal welfare organisation.
• Street dogs often sleep under parked cars and in stairwells. Check before you light anything.
• If a frightened dog shelters by your gate, let it stay. For that night, that is its safe place.
• Leave a bowl of water on the terrace. Birds need it most on a smoke-filled night.
• Never aim rockets at trees or power lines — trees hold nests.

What the rules say

• Noise limit: in India it is illegal to make, sell or use firecrackers louder than 125 dB(AI) (or 145 dB(C)) measured 4 metres from the burst.
• Green crackers stay around 110–125 dB and release less smoke.
• Timing: many states restrict bursting to a two-hour window, commonly 8–10 pm. The order changes by state and by year — check your state's current rule.
• No firecrackers within 100 metres of hospitals, schools and courts.

And the smoke isn't only an animal problem. Infants, the elderly and anyone with asthma breathe the same air. A Diwali of diyas, rangoli and sweets is no smaller a Diwali — the morning after simply looks brighter.

Related reading

• Krishna Janmashtami 2026
• Sharad Navratri 2026 — 9 forms of Durga
• 2026 Hindu festival calendar

Shubh Deepavali! 🪔 May your life be filled with happiness, prosperity and light.