Diwali Calendar
The Diwali festival calendar - the five days of Deepavali, from Dhanteras and Naraka Chaturdashi through Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, with the tithi for each day.
November 2026
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Vasubaras / Vagh Baras (Govatsa Dwadashi)
Tithi 10:55 AM, Nov 4 – 10:35 AM, Nov 5
The first day of Diwali, when cows and their calves are worshipped in gratitude for their nourishment — kept as Vasubaras in Maharashtra and Vagh Baras in Gujarat, where traders close the old account books.
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Dhanteras
Tithi 10:28 AM, Nov 5 – 10:30 AM, Nov 6
The first day of Diwali — gold, silver and new utensils are bought to invite prosperity.
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Kali Chaudas
Tithi 10:23 AM, Nov 6 – 10:48 AM, Nov 7
The night before Diwali's Amavasya, Goddess Kali is worshipped to destroy negativity; sleep and laziness (alasya) are symbolically driven from the home.
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Bhoot Chaturdashi
Tithi 10:23 AM, Nov 6 – 10:48 AM, Nov 7
On the eve of Kali Puja, fourteen lamps are lit and fourteen leafy greens eaten to honour ancestors and ward off evil spirits.
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Narak Chaturdashi (Abhyang Snan)
Tithi 10:40 AM, Nov 7 – 11:27 AM, Nov 8
Krishna's slaying of the demon Narakasura is marked with a pre-dawn ceremonial oil bath (abhyang snan, kept by Sindhis as Roop Chaudas) before the lamps of Diwali.
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Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)
Tithi 10:40 AM, Nov 7 – 11:27 AM, Nov 8
The festival of lights — homes glow with diyas and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for wealth; Sindhis keep it as Diyari.
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Kali Puja
Tithi 10:40 AM, Nov 7 – 11:27 AM, Nov 8
On Diwali's new-moon night, Goddess Kali is worshipped through the night across Bengal.
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Govardhan Puja / Annakut
Tithi 12:25 PM, Nov 9 – 1:59 PM, Nov 10
Krishna lifting Govardhan hill is remembered with mountains of food offered to the deity.
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Bali Pratipada (Diwali Padwa / Bestu Varas)
Tithi 12:25 PM, Nov 9 – 1:59 PM, Nov 10
The Diwali Padwa honouring King Bali's return; wives perform aukshan (aarti) for their husbands and new account books and ventures are begun. In Gujarat this is Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year.
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Bhai Dooj / Bhau Beej
Tithi 1:55 PM, Nov 10 – 3:52 PM, Nov 11
Sisters apply a tilak and pray for their brothers' well-being, closing the Diwali festival.
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Labh Pancham
Tithi 8:42 PM, Nov 13 – 11:24 PM, Nov 14
The fifth day after Diwali (Kartik Shukla Panchami) — the auspicious day Gujarati traders reopen their shops and account books, praying to Lakshmi and Ganesha for profit (labh) in the new year.
Tithi start and end times are shown in your local time. Festival dates follow the standard Indian (sunrise) calendar and may vary by a day in other regions, and may differ slightly from regional almanacs (especially around an Adhik Maas).
Frequently asked questions about Diwali Calendar
What are the five days of Diwali?
Dhanteras on Trayodashi, Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya, Govardhan Puja or Annakut on Pratipada, and Bhai Dooj on Dwitiya. The calendar gives the tithi timing for each, which is what decides the day.
When is the Lakshmi puja done?
On the Amavasya evening, in the Pradosh window after sunset, and preferably in a sthir lagna - the calendar and the Panchang give the muhurat for your city. The tithi must be current at that hour, which is why the puja date can differ from the day Amavasya begins.
Why is Diwali sometimes on two dates?
Because Amavasya can begin on one afternoon and end the next, and the rule is that the pradosh-kaal Amavasya carries the puja. When the tithi ends early in the evening of the second day, almanacs can differ, and both dates are then defended.
What is worshipped besides Lakshmi?
Ganesha first, then Lakshmi, with Kubera and the account books - the Diwali samagri page lists the arrangement and the Kuber Chalisa the treasurer's part.
Which year is it in the Gujarati reckoning?
The Gujarati Samvat rolls over on Bestu Varas, the day after Diwali, so the new year begins there while the rest of the north keeps Chaitra - see the Gujarati Samvat calendar.
About the Diwali Calendar
The Diwali festival calendar - the five days of Deepavali, from Dhanteras and Naraka Chaturdashi through Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, with the tithi for each day.
Each entry lists the festival or vrat with its date, the prevailing tithi, and a short note on the observance. Use the year links to plan ahead into the coming years or to look up a date from the archive.
This list is the festival dates, not the daily five limbs. For sunrise, Rahu Kalam and the day's yoga, open the Panchang. Other calendars are on the Calendars index. The story of a fast is under Vrat Katha.
