Diwali
Deepavali
The festival of lights — Lakshmi Puja in every home.
Gregorian date
8 November 2026
Sunday
Tithi
Krishna Amavasya
Kartika (October – November)
Duration
single-night
Significance
The most important pan-Indian festival. Commemorates Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Houses are lit with diyas; Lakshmi Puja is performed in every home in the evening.
What happens on the day
- •Clean + decorate the home
- •Light diyas / candles all over the house
- •Evening Lakshmi-Ganesha puja
- •New clothes
- •Family meal
- •Fireworks (where permitted)
Auspicious for
- ✓Lakshmi sankalpa
- ✓Buying gold
- ✓Opening new ledgers (business)
Avoid
- ✗Haircuts
- ✗Major arguments / negative speech
About the month of Kartikaकार्तिक
The most festival-rich month. Karva Chauth, Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath, Tulsi Vivah, and Kartik Purnima all fall here.
More festivals in Kartika
Kati Bihu
17 October 2026 · Sun enters Libra → Scorpio cusp (solar)
The austere Bihu — small lamps in paddy fields, prayers for the harvest.
Karva Chauth
30 October 2026 · Krishna Chaturthi
Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for husbands' longevity.
Kerala Piravi
1 November 2026 · Fixed Gregorian (November 1)
Kerala's birthday — the day the state was formed in 1956.
Dhanteras
6 November 2026 · Krishna Trayodashi
The Diwali week begins — gold and metal purchases peak today.