Diwali, the Festival of Lights, centres on Lakshmi Puja — the worship of the goddess of wealth and prosperity, welcomed into clean, lamp-lit homes on the darkest night of the lunar month. It arrives about three weeks after Navratri and Karwa Chauth, closing out the autumn festival season. But what looks like one festival is really several distinct regional observances sharing the same five days.
Lotus Urli Bowl with Stand (Set of 10)
Diya Holder Flower Urli with Stand (Set of 3)
The Five Days of Diwali 2026
- Dhanteras — Friday, 6 November: Worship of Dhanvantari and Lakshmi. The most auspicious day to buy gold, silver, or metal utensils, believed to multiply under Lakshmi's blessing.
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — Saturday, 7 November: Marks Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. Central ritual is the abhyanga snan, a pre-dawn oil bath symbolising the washing away of negativity.
- Lakshmi Puja (Main Diwali) — Sunday, 8 November: The heart of the festival — Lakshmi and Ganesha worshipped together at dusk, homes fully illuminated.
- Govardhan Puja — Monday, 9 November: Commemorates Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to shelter Gokul from Indra's floods. Marked with Annakut, a large offering of vegetarian dishes.
- Bhai Dooj — Tuesday, 10 November: Celebrates the sibling bond, tied to the legend of Yama visiting his sister Yamuna.
One Festival, Several Regional Centres of Gravity
The five days are shared nationwide, but which day matters most — and why — genuinely differs by region:
- North India: Lakshmi Puja night (8 November) is the main event, tied to Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. Ayodhya's Deepotsav lights lakhs of diyas along the Sarayu ghats.
- Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana: Naraka Chaturdashi (7 November) is the primary celebration — the pre-dawn oil bath and new clothes at sunrise take precedence over the Lakshmi Puja night itself.
- West Bengal, Odisha, Assam: The same Amavasya night is observed as Kali Puja — worship of the fierce mother goddess at midnight, with fourteen lamps (choddo prodip) lit the evening before for departed ancestors. Lakshmi Puja holds less prominence here than in the north.
- Gujarat: Diwali closes the Vikram Samvat year — account books are worshipped at Chopda Pujan, and the following day, Bestu Varas, opens the Gujarati New Year.
- Maharashtra: The sequence opens earlier with Vasubaras, and includes Diwali Padwa, honouring the bond between husband and wife.
Ashtalakshmi Tortoise Idol - Silver Plated (3.5 inch)
Maa Lakshmi's Charan Paduka - Gold & Silver Plated (3 Inch)
Lakshmi Puja Vidhi
- Clean and decorate the puja space with rangoli, flowers, and diyas.
- Place Lakshmi and Ganesha together — Ganesha is invoked first to clear obstacles before Lakshmi's blessings.
- Offer water, then bathe the idols (abhishek), followed by fresh garments, sandalwood paste, kumkum, and flowers.
- Offer naivedya (sweets and fruits), recite Lakshmi mantras and stotras, and perform aarti.
- Distribute prasad, then light rows of diyas throughout the home — inside and at every threshold — to welcome the goddess.
Brass Horizontal Swastika Symbol Diya (Set of 2)
Brass Lakshmi Ganesh Diya Set (4.5 Inch)
Conclusion
Diwali 2026 runs 6–10 November, but no two regions mark it quite the same way — Ayodhya's Rama, Bengal's Kali, the South's Narakasura, and Gujarat's new financial year all share the same five nights. What holds every version together is the same intention: clearing darkness, welcoming light, and inviting prosperity into a clean, well-lit home.
