The festival of lights, Diwali is about to come. In Hindu religion, Diwali is not just a festival of one day, but a great festival of happiness, joy and enthusiasm that lasts for five days. It starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. During this period, major festivals like Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj are celebrated. In such a situation, if you are also planning for Diwali preparations, shopping and worship, then let us know on which date Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj are falling in the year 2026. See here the complete calendar of the five-day Diwali festival.
Dhanteras 2026: 6 November, Friday
Diwali festival starts from Dhanteras. It is also called Dhantrayodashi. According to the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated on the Trayodashi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. This year Dhanteras will be celebrated on Friday, 6th November.
According to religious beliefs, on this day during the churning of the ocean, Lord Dhanvantari appeared with the nectar pot. Therefore Lord Dhanvantari is worshiped on this day. He is considered the god of Ayurveda and health. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber also has special significance on Dhanteras. It is believed that worshiping with devotion on this day brings happiness, prosperity and wealth to the house.
Chhoti Diwali 2026: 7 November, Saturday
Chhoti Diwali is celebrated on the next day of Dhanteras. It is also known as Narak Chaturdashi, Roop Chaudas and Kali Chaudas. In the year 2026, Chhoti Diwali will be celebrated on Saturday, November 7. According to mythological beliefs, on this day Lord Shri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura and freed people from his atrocities. For this reason this day is considered a symbol of the victory of good over evil. On this day, there is a tradition of waking up early in the morning and taking bath. At many places, Abhyanga bath is done with cow dung cakes and sesame oil. In the evening, lamps are lit in homes and rangoli is made.
Diwali 2026: 8 November, Sunday
Diwali i.e. Deepawali is the most important festival of this great festival. In the year 2026, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8.
On this day there is Amavasya of Kartik month. In the evening, lamps are lit in homes, temples and establishments. People decorate their houses with flowers, rangoli and lights. Special worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha is done on Diwali. There is a religious belief that on the night of Amavasya, Goddess Lakshmi travels across the earth and enters clean, beautiful and light-decorated houses. Therefore, people clean their houses and specially decorate the place of worship before Diwali.
Govardhan Puja 2026: 10 November, Tuesday
Govardhan Puja is celebrated as the next major festival of Diwali. In the year 2026, Govardhan Puja will be held on Tuesday, November 10. This festival is related to Lord Shri Krishna and Govardhan Mountain. According to the legend, once the people of Gokul were preparing to worship Lord Indra. Then Lord Shri Krishna explained to him that we should respect nature, mountains, trees, plants and animals, because these are the basis of our life. After this, Lord Shri Krishna saved the people of Braj from heavy rain by lifting Govardhan Mountain on his little finger. Since then the tradition of Govardhan Puja has been going on. On this day, the shape of Govardhan Mountain is made from cow dung in homes and temples. Lord Shri Krishna is worshiped and Annakoot is offered to him.
Bhai Dooj 2026: 11 November, Wednesday
The last festival of the five-day long Diwali festival is Bhai Dooj. In the year 2026, Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Wednesday, 11 November. It is also called Yama Dwitiya. This festival is a symbol of love, trust and unbreakable relationship between brother and sister. According to religious belief, on this day Yamraj had reached his sister Yamuna’s house to meet her. Yamuna welcomed her brother and offered him food by applying a tilak on his forehead. Pleased with this, Yamraj gave him a boon. Since then, the tradition of sisters applying tilak to brothers on Bhai Dooj started. On this day, sisters apply tilak to their brothers and wish for their long life, good health and happiness and prosperity. Brothers also give gifts to their sisters and take a pledge to protect and respect them.
Disclaimer: The information given in this article has been given on the basis of different books and studies. bhaskarhindi.com does not claim that this information is completely correct. For complete and correct information, definitely take advice from an expert in the relevant field (astrologer/Vastu Shastri/other expert).