The meaning of Diwali
Diwali, or Deepawali, means "a row of lamps". It is celebrated on the Amavasya, the darkest night of the month of Kartik, and in 2026 the main day of Lakshmi Puja falls on Sunday, 8 November. On this night homes, shops and streets are lit with diyas and lights, as if to say that even the darkest night can be made bright. For most Hindu families it is the biggest festival of the year, and it is also celebrated by Jains, who mark the nirvana of Bhagwan Mahavir, and by Sikhs as Bandi Chhor Divas.
Diwali is a festival of cleaning, new beginnings and gratitude. People clean and paint their homes, buy new clothes, prepare sweets and snacks, visit relatives and worship Maa Lakshmi for wealth and Lord Ganesh for wisdom. Traders close their old accounts and start new ones, so it is also the start of a new financial year for many businesses.
The stories of Diwali
Shri Ram returns to Ayodhya
The most loved story is from the Ramayana. After fourteen years of exile and the victory over Ravan, Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshman. The people of Ayodhya were so happy that they lit rows of ghee lamps in every lane to welcome their king home on the dark night of Amavasya. That tradition of lighting diyas continues to this day.
Maa Lakshmi and the night of prosperity
According to the Puranas, Maa Lakshmi appeared from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). It is believed that on the night of Diwali she visits homes that are clean, well lit and filled with harmony. That is why people keep their doors open, light a lamp at the entrance, draw rangoli and make small footprints of the goddess leading into the house. Lord Ganesh is worshipped along with her, because wealth is meaningful only with wisdom. Many families also worship Kuber, the treasurer of the gods.
The five days of Diwali in 2026
- Dhanteras, Friday 6 November: The day of Dhanvantari, the god of health. People buy gold, silver, utensils or a new broom, and light a Yam deepak at the door in the evening.
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali or Kali Chaudas), Saturday 7 November: Remembers Shri Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. Many take an early oil bath and light diyas in the evening.
- Diwali and Lakshmi Puja, Sunday 8 November: The main night of the festival, with puja, lamps and sweets.
- Govardhan Puja and Annakut, Tuesday 10 November: Remembers Shri Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to protect the people of Vraj. A mountain of food, the Annakut, is offered in temples. Because the Amavasya continues into 9 November, this day falls a day later in 2026.
- Bhai Dooj, Wednesday 11 November: Sisters apply tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life, and brothers promise to protect them.
Lakshmi Puja vidhi
Samagri (items needed)
- Idols or a picture of Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh, placed on a red cloth
- A kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut
- Roli, kumkum, turmeric, rice, sandal paste and a few coins
- Diyas (at least one big ghee diya to burn through the night), incense and camphor
- Lotus or marigold flowers and a garland
- Kheel-batashe, sweets, fruits and dry fruits for bhog
- Your account books, cash box or new diary, for chopda pujan
Steps
- Clean the whole house during the day, draw a rangoli at the entrance and hang a toran of mango or ashoka leaves.
- In the evening, bathe and wear new or clean clothes.
- Place a red cloth on a platform, make a small heap of rice and set the kalash on it. Place Lord Ganesh on the left of Maa Lakshmi.
- Light the big ghee diya and take a sankalp for the well-being of your family.
- Worship Lord Ganesh first with roli, rice, flowers and sweets.
- Then worship Maa Lakshmi. Offer kumkum, flowers, coins, kheel-batashe and sweets, and chant "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah".
- Worship your account books, cash box and tools. Write "Shubh" and "Labh" and draw a swastik on the new book.
- Do the aarti of Maa Lakshmi and Ganesh together as a family.
- Place diyas at the door, windows, kitchen, water tank and tulsi plant, then share prasad with everyone.
Muhurat for 2026
The Amavasya tithi runs from about 11:27 AM on 8 November to 12:31 PM on 9 November 2026. For New Delhi, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is about 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM, when Pradosh Kaal (about 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM) overlaps the fixed Vrishabha lagna. Some families and business houses also do puja at Nishita Kaal near midnight. These times are for New Delhi; check your city, since each place has its own sunset and lagna times.
Diwali in Gujarat
In Gujarat the Diwali season has its own flavour. It begins with Vagh Baras, when cows and calves are worshipped. On Dhanteras, homes wash and worship their jewellery and coins, and on Kali Chaudas many families pray to Hanumanji and Maa Kali to remove negative energy. Diwali night is marked with chopda pujan, the worship of new account books. Because Gujarat follows the amanta calendar, Diwali is the last day of the year here. The very next Pratipada is Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year, which in 2026 falls on Tuesday, 10 November and begins Vikram Samvat 2083. People wear new clothes, visit temples, touch the feet of elders and greet everyone with "Saal Mubarak" and "Nutan Varshabhinandan". Bhai Beej follows on 11 November, and shops usually reopen on Labh Pancham. Homes are full of mathiya, chorafali, ghughra and sweets for guests.
Safe and eco-friendly Diwali
- Use clay diyas and LED lights instead of plastic decorations, and switch them off when not needed.
- If you burst crackers, follow local rules, choose green crackers where allowed, and keep a bucket of water nearby.
- Keep children, elders and pets safe; loud crackers frighten animals and birds.
- Wear cotton clothes near diyas and never leave candles burning near curtains.
- Make rangoli with flowers, rice flour or natural colours.
- Gift homemade sweets, plants or local handmade products, and share with those who have less.
How to send Diwali wishes
Diwali is the busiest time of the year for greetings. To make yours stand out, choose a wish that fits the relation, whether a friend, a sibling, your spouse or a customer, and add your name to a Diwali card with a diya design. You can download it and send it on WhatsApp, or post it as a status. Businesses can send cards to customers on Dhanteras or on Diwali morning, while family and friends enjoy getting them on Diwali night or on the New Year morning in Gujarat.