Diwali in India in 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, November 8. According to India Post’s official holiday calendar, Diwali (also known as Deepavali) falls on this date. For those planning to travel on the evening of this major holiday, November 8 is a date to set aside. India Post 2026 Holiday Calendar
Special attention should be paid to the celebrations surrounding this festival. Different rituals take place on different dates, local event schedules must be confirmed separately, and the government holiday calendar may differ from the religious calendar. “Dev Deepawali” in Varanasi is also a separate celebration held in late November.
This guide will outline important dates, how to plan a feasible itinerary, and what preparations to make before arrival—including a mobile data connection for viewing maps, sending messages, and arranging transportation.
Diwali 2026 dates at a glance
The table below follows Drik Panchang’s 2026 calendar for New Delhi. It is a religious calendar reference, not a nationwide event or business-closure schedule.
| Date | Observance listed for New Delhi |
|---|---|
| Friday, Nov. 6 | Dhanteras |
| Saturday, Nov. 7 | Kali Chaudas and Hanuman Puja |
| Sunday, Nov. 8 | Narak Chaturdashi, Tamil Deepavali, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja |
| Tuesday, Nov. 10 | Govardhan Puja, Annakut, Bali Pratipada and Gujarati New Year |
| Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Bhai Dooj, also called Bhau Beej |
Diwali is typically described as a five-day festival, but its celebrations do not always fall on five consecutive dates in the Gregorian calendar. Local traditions may also extend the duration of the festivities. Please avoid creating a schedule by assigning a specific ritual to each consecutive day. “Drik Panchang” 2026 Diwali Calendar
Please note a practical discrepancy: the list of government holidays from the Directorate General of Audits, Ministry of Defense, lists Gowardan Puja as November 9 (Monday), while the religious calendar mentioned above lists it as November 10. For information on office closures, please refer to the calendar of the relevant agency; for worship or visitation arrangements, please confirm directly with your host or the temple. 2026 List of Government Holidays
For most visitors, November 8 remains a practical reference date for planning itineraries, allowing for time before and after to explore and settle in.
Why does the Diwali date change each year?
Diwali follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar rather than a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar. Its central ritual—the Lakshmi Puja—is tied to the new moon (Amavasya) and is typically held in the evening after sunset.
A lunar day (i.e., tithi) does not necessarily begin at midnight, nor does it necessarily correspond to a Gregorian calendar day. This helps explain why a calendar might show the moon phase spanning two dates, with the festival set for the evening of one of them. The *Drik Panchang* determines the date of the Lakshmi Puja based on whether the new moon (Amavasya) falls during the evening period known as “Pradosh.” The Drik Panchang’s Explanation for the Selection of Diwali Dates
When checking ceremony times, location is also a key factor. Times published for Delhi should not be directly applied to schedules in London, Toronto, or Los Angeles. Please select the city where you will actually be celebrating and confirm the specific arrangements with local organizers.
What time is Lakshmi Puja in 2026?
For New Delhi only, Drik Panchang lists the Lakshmi Puja muhurat, or auspicious worship window, as 5:54-7:50 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, in local time. Other cities have their own timings. New Delhi’s 2026 Lakshmi Puja timings
A puja window is not a public event schedule. If you have an invitation to a home or temple, ask when guests should arrive, how long the visit will last and whether photography is welcome.
When should you arrive for Diwali?
If Diwali is the main purpose of your trip, arriving on November 6 or 7 is a wise choice. This is merely a travel recommendation, not an official holiday schedule. This will give you time to recover from a long flight, familiarize yourself with the area, and resolve any transportation or cell phone issues before the main celebrations take place that evening.
If your flight is delayed or the trip to your accommodations takes longer than expected, arriving late on November 8 will leave you with very little leeway. Arriving early is especially important if you need to make a connecting flight or train transfer.
Please choose your travel dates based on your expectations for this trip:
- A short festival getaway: We recommend November 6–9, so you can set aside time for the main celebration night and keep other plans to a minimum.
- Leisurely cultural trip: We recommend November 5–11, so you’ll have ample time to browse markets, go sightseeing, and participate in various locally organized celebrations.
- Visiting family: Please coordinate your dates with your hosts’ plans. The times they prioritize for gatherings may differ from your travel itinerary.
- Business trip: Please confirm business days directly with each office. A single national holiday date is not sufficient to determine everyone’s availability.
Try to stay at the same location during major evening events. Moving between locations during the day may take up time you had originally planned for exploration, while moving between locations at night will force you to make an unnecessary choice between attending celebrations and rushing to your next hotel.
For remote workers, set aside time in the evening on your work calendar and verify the internet arrangements at your accommodation before confirming any conference calls. A room labeled “Wi-Fi available” does not necessarily mean it will be suitable for your specific workload.
Where should you spend Diwali in India?
Choose a destination that fits your wider trip rather than trying to collect several cities in a few days. India’s tourism ministry identifies destinations including Jaipur, Delhi, Ayodhya, Udaipur and Varanasi among places associated with Diwali celebrations. This is destination guidance, not confirmation of a particular 2026 program. Incredible India’s Diwali guide
Jaipur or Udaipur for a Rajasthan itinerary
If Rajasthan is already central to your trip, keeping your Diwali stay in Jaipur or Udaipur avoids adding another long transfer.
Choose accommodation by the evening you want to have. Ask whether you can walk to the area you hope to explore, whether the property has dining available and what return transport it recommends. A hotel near an attraction is useful only if the actual route works for you.
Keep one daytime sightseeing plan and leave the evening flexible. Trying to combine several attractions, shopping and a timed dinner can make the day feel like a sequence of deadlines.
Delhi for a visit built around the capital
If your international flight arrives in Delhi and you have limited time, staying there can simplify the itinerary. Pick one neighborhood or locally confirmed activity instead of planning several cross-city journeys that evening.
Save both your destination and your accommodation on your phone before leaving. Ask your hotel for a practical return plan, including a recognizable pickup point.
Ayodhya for a visit centered on worship
If Ayodhya is your priority, arrange the trip around that purpose. Before booking a tour or transfer, ask which locations it includes, what access is confirmed and how much walking is involved.
A festival name on a tour listing does not establish access to a particular ceremony. Request the actual itinerary and cancellation terms in writing.
Varanasi: check which festival you mean
If your main goal is to see Varanasi’s riverfront steps illuminated for Dev Deepawali, the relevant 2026 date is Tuesday, Nov. 24, according to Drik Panchang’s Varanasi calendar. This celebration falls on Kartik Purnima, the full moon, and is distinct from the main Diwali date of Nov. 8. Varanasi’s 2026 Dev Deepawali date
That distinction matters when booking accommodation or a boat outing. Check the date on the reservation itself. An offer labeled “Diwali experience” may not describe the celebration you have in mind.
What can visitors expect, and how should they participate?
Diwali combines worship, lanterns, decorations, sweets, and gatherings. The Lakshmi Puja is an important ritual for many Hindu families, while rangoli designs and clay lamps are common elements of the celebrations. Customs vary among different families and communities. An overview of Diwali traditions from the “Incredible India” website
As a visitor, please follow the customs of the places you visit. Expectations for visitors differ on public streets, at temples, and in private homes.
If you receive an invitation, asking a few questions in advance will make your visit go more smoothly: When should you arrive? What is the dress code? Should you bring a gift? Are there any dietary preferences you should respect?
Please ask for permission before photographing people or ritual scenes. Keep doorways and walkways clear, and exercise caution around lights and decorations. It’s more practical to pause briefly to check with your host than to try to remember every rule for every occasion.
You can also skip the elaborate planning and simply immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. Depending on local customs and your host’s suggestions, set aside time for leisurely walks, meals, and conversation.
Book the essentials before filling the itinerary
First, confirm your arrival, accommodations, and onward itinerary. Review the full booking terms—including cancellation deadlines and transportation arrangements—rather than focusing solely on room rates or ticket prices.
Before finalizing your plans, ask your accommodation provider:
- Will someone be on duty at the front desk when you arrive?
- Can a shuttle service be arranged, and where will the driver pick you up?
- Will meals be served on the evening you plan to dine there?
- What nearby activities have been confirmed as open to visitors?
- After dark, what return route does the accommodation recommend?
These answers are essential for making your itinerary practical. A booking confirmation alone does not tell you how to get to your accommodation or how to return after going out.
Before you leave, check the latest local announcements, including transportation arrangements and any regulations that may affect your planned activities. If weather, air quality, or crowd conditions make your original plans impractical, have indoor alternatives ready. Never rely solely on event posters from previous years.
Arrange mobile data before the main evening
Mobile data helps with maps, contacting accommodation, finding your pickup point and staying in touch with companions. Choose connectivity according to your phone, trip length and need for a local number.
A travel eSIM is one option, but compare it with your existing roaming allowance first. Apple advises travelers to check whether their home plan already includes international roaming and notes that using another carrier requires an unlocked iPhone. Apple’s international eSIM guidance
| Option | When it may suit you | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid travel eSIM | You want to arrange mobile data digitally | Device compatibility, validity, data allowance and calls or SMS |
| Local SIM or eSIM | You want to compare local service, particularly for a longer stay | Visitor eligibility, required documents, activation and number availability |
| Home-carrier roaming | Your existing allowance or travel pass meets your needs | India inclusion, data limits, fees and call charges |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Several devices will stay together | Battery life, rental terms, collection and return arrangements |
A pocket Wi-Fi device also needs to remain close to the people using it. If your group plans to split up, individual connections may be more practical.
For a prepaid option, eSIMX’s India eSIM page is a useful place to compare data allowances and validity periods. Read the selected plan’s details before purchasing, particularly when validity begins and whether the service includes anything beyond data. Do not assume a travel eSIM provides an Indian phone number, ordinary calls or SMS.
Check compatibility and installation timing
Please verify your exact phone model and regional version with the manufacturer and carrier. On an iPhone, Apple states that an unlocked device will display “No SIM restrictions” next to “Carrier Lock” under “Settings” > “General” > “About.” Apple’s carrier lock instructions
For plans in India, eSIMX recommends completing the installation within 24 hours before your trip, while you still have an internet connection. Their page states that most plans become active once you arrive and connect to the network, but customers are advised to review the specific plan details. Please follow these instructions and do not assume that the installation and activation processes are exactly the same across different carriers. eSIMX’s India Installation Guide
Before traveling, select the data plan you intend to use and check your home carrier’s roaming settings. If the travel plan’s instructions require it, enable roaming for that plan. Depending on your home carrier’s terms, keeping your home plan active may still incur charges. Apple’s Guide to Using Two Lines Simultaneously While Abroad
Choose data around your actual use
Look at your phone’s recent usage before selecting an allowance. Maps, messaging, video calls and photo backups create different demands, so trip length alone is a poor guide.
Download maps for your planned area, save tickets offline and move large photo uploads to suitable Wi-Fi. If you plan to work from a laptop, check tethering permission and consider that usage separately.
Save your hotel address, booking reference and key contacts offline as well. This gives you a practical fallback if your battery runs low or a connection is temporarily unavailable.
A simple plan for Nov. 8
Start with a relaxed morning, and plan an activity for the day that’s within your capabilities. Before you leave, fully charge your phone and power bank, confirm all invitations or reservations, and if you’re traveling with others, agree on a meeting place.
Leave some flexibility in your plans for the late afternoon. Check the route to your evening destination in advance, allow plenty of time to get there, and confirm your return arrangements before you need them.
For a first-time Diwali trip, carefully planning one evening’s itinerary is a reasonable goal. We recommend booking around November 8, allowing time to take advice from locals and choose experiences you can reach without rushing.
