Where to See Diwali 2026: Ayodhya, Varanasi, Amritsar and More

Prashant Dhingra

Deepawali (Diwali) 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. Lakshmi Puja muhurat in New Delhi is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM IST. The five days run from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 11 November, with Govardhan Puja on 10 November, and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi follows on 24 November. It is the first Diwali since UNESCO inscribed Deepavali as intangible cultural heritage in December 2025.

26,17,215diyas lit in Ayodhya, 2025

56ghats on the Saryu

16thIndian element on UNESCO's list

A route through the festival

Deepotsav, eve of Diwali (expected Sat 7 Nov)

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

Diwali begins here in the story: the lamps lit by the people of Ayodhya to welcome Ram, Sita and Lakshman home after fourteen years. Deepotsav on the ghats of the Saryu now holds the Guinness World Record for the most lamps lit at once. At the ninth Deepotsav on 19 October 2025, Ayodhya lit 26,17,215 diyas across 56 ghats of the Saryu, a count verified by Guinness World Records, while 2,128 Vedacharyas performed a maha aarti together and about 1,100 drones drew scenes from the Ramayana in the sky. Arrive at Ram ki Paidi by mid-afternoon if you want a place to stand.

Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, Sun 8 Nov

Golden Temple, Amritsar

Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas on Diwali, remembering Guru Hargobind's release from Gwalior fort. The Harmandir Sahib and its sarovar are lit with lamps and lights, and the evening fireworks over the water draw enormous crowds.

Diwali week

Akshardham, Delhi

The carved sandstone complex on the Yamuna is lit for the festival and is an easy evening visit from anywhere in Delhi. Pair it with the market lights of Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk.

Akshardham Temple in Delhi during Diwali

Lakshmi Puja, Sun 8 Nov

Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur

One of the oldest shrines of the goddess, and a natural place for darshan on the night she is worshipped across India. Expect long queues on the day itself.

Through the five days

Siddhivinayak, Mumbai, and Shirdi

Every Diwali puja begins with Ganesh, so many Mumbai families visit Siddhivinayak during the festival. Shirdi, a few hours away, is busy all week with pilgrims lighting lamps at Sai Baba's samadhi.

Tue 24 Nov, Kartik Purnima

Varanasi: Dev Deepawali

Fifteen days after Diwali, Kashi lights every ghat for the gods' own Diwali, celebrating Shiva's victory over Tripurasura. Watch the Maha Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh and take a bajra or boat along the river for the long view from Assi to Raj Ghat. A few listings give 25 November; confirm locally.

The Varanasi riverfront during Dev Deepawali

Plan around these dates

The five days of Deepawali 2026
Date	Observance	What to know
Friday, 6 Nov	DhanterasDhantrayodashi, Yama Deepam	Lakshmi–Kuber puja 6:02–7:57 PM IST (New Delhi). Trayodashi runs from 10:30 AM on 6 Nov to about 10:47 AM on 7 Nov.
Saturday, 7 Nov	Choti DiwaliNaraka Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas, Hanuman Puja	Some panchangs place the Naraka Chaturdashi oil bath on the morning of 8 Nov; follow your family calendar.
Sunday, 8 Nov	Diwali : Lakshmi PujaKali Puja in Bengal, Sharda Puja in Gujarat	Lakshmi–Ganesh puja 5:54–7:50 PM IST in New Delhi, inside Pradosh Kaal 5:31–8:09 PM.
Tuesday, 10 Nov	Govardhan PujaAnnakut, Bali Pratipada, Gujarati New Year	Drik Panchang lists 10 Nov for most Indian cities; some calendars and places outside India keep it on 9 Nov.
Wednesday, 11 Nov	Bhai DoojBhai Phonta, Bhau Beej, Bhai Tika	Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. The tilak is traditionally done in the afternoon (aparahna).
Tuesday, 24 Nov	Dev Deepawali, VaranasiKartik Purnima	Fifteen days after Diwali the ghats of Kashi are lined with lamps. A few listings give 25 Nov; Drik Panchang and most guides give 24 Nov.

Lakshmi Puja muhurat, Sunday 8 November 2026 (local time)
City	Muhurat
New Delhi	5:54 PM – 7:50 PM
Jaipur	6:03 PM – 7:59 PM
Chennai	6:07 PM – 8:09 PM
Pune	6:24 PM – 8:24 PM

Source: Drik Panchang (Pradosh Kaal with Vrishabha Kaal). Delhi Pradosh Kaal is 5:31–8:09 PM; the Mahanishita Kaal window for night puja is 11:39 PM to 12:31 AM.

Travelling for Diwali

Book early. Trains and flights into Ayodhya and Varanasi fill weeks ahead, and hotels near the ghats often need a minimum stay around the big nights.

Go on foot near the river. Roads to the ghats close to traffic on festival evenings; plan to walk the last stretch.

Dress for the puja, not the selfie. Cotton and silk are safer than loose synthetics around open diyas, and comfortable footwear matters on wet steps.

Keep the family puja. If you travel, carry a small diya and Lakshmi–Ganesh image so you can do the puja in your room during your city's muhurat.

The first Diwali as world heritage. On 10 December 2025 UNESCO inscribed Deepavali on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, at the committee's twentieth session held at the Red Fort in New Delhi. It is India's sixteenth element on the list, recorded under social practices, rituals and festive events.

Buy from the ghats. Clay diyas, flowers and prasad from local sellers support the people who make these nights possible.

Ghats and temples in pictures

Diwali wishes from our readers

As the festival of lights brightens our homes and hearts, may this Diwali bring endless joy, prosperity and happiness to you and your loved ones. May the light of the diyas remove the darkness in your life and light your path with peace, wisdom and success.
Shared by a reader on our Facebook page, Rajasthan

May Goddess Lakshmi bless your home with wealth, health and happiness, and may Lord Ganesha remove every obstacle from your path. Let's remember what Diwali teaches us: light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
Shared by a reader on Instagram, Delhi, India

May the days ahead be as colourful as the rangoli on your doorstep, as sweet as the laddoos shared with friends and family, and as radiant as the lights in the sky. Wishing you and your loved ones a Diwali full of love, light and peace.
Shared by a reader on LinkedIn, Washington, USA

Happy Deepawali 2026! May Lakshmi ji walk in through an open door, and may every diya you light on 8 November keep glowing all year.

शुभ दीपावली! आपके घर में सुख, समृद्धि और ढेर सारी रोशनी आए।

This year the whole world recognises the festival we grew up with. Wishing you a bright, safe and sweet Diwali 2026.

From Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, may all five days bring you good health, good company and very good mithai.

Deepawali 2026: questions people ask

When is Diwali in 2026?

The main day of Diwali, the night of Lakshmi Puja, is Sunday 8 November 2026, on Kartik Amavasya. The festival opens with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and closes with Bhai Dooj on Wednesday 11 November.

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Diwali 2026?

Drik Panchang gives 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM IST for New Delhi on 8 November, the Vrishabha Kaal inside Pradosh Kaal (5:31 PM to 8:09 PM). Jaipur is 6:03 to 7:59 PM, Chennai 6:07 to 8:09 PM and Pune 6:24 to 8:24 PM. Check a panchang for your own city.

Is Diwali 2026 on 8 or 9 November?

8 November. Amavasya also touches the sunrise of 9 November, but Lakshmi Puja is done in the evening, and the Amavasya that covers the evening puja window falls on the 8th.

When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?

Drik Panchang lists Tuesday 10 November for most Indian cities, because Pratipada only reaches sunrise on the 10th. Some calendars, some cities and most of the western hemisphere keep it on Monday 9 November.

When is Bhai Dooj in 2026?

Wednesday 11 November 2026, on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya.

When is Dev Deepawali 2026 in Varanasi?

Tuesday 24 November 2026, on Kartik Purnima, fifteen days after Diwali. A few listings give 25 November, so confirm locally before booking a boat.

Is Diwali a UNESCO heritage?

Yes. Deepavali was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 10 December 2025, making Diwali 2026 the first since that recognition.

Is Diwali on the same day in the USA and India in 2026?

Yes, the Lakshmi Puja night is Sunday 8 November in both, though the muhurat follows local sunset. The days around it can differ, so use a panchang set to your city.

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Deepawali 2026 on the ghats and in the temples