Days Until Diwali
Live countdown to the Festival of Lights 2026
Days Until Diwali 2026
Festival Details
Summary
There are 272 days, 23 hours, and 17 minutes left until Diwali 2026.
Upcoming Diwali Dates
| Year | Date | Day | Days Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 8 | Sunday | 272 days |
| 2027 | October 29 | Friday | 627 days |
| 2028 | October 17 | Tuesday | 981 days |
| 2029 | November 5 | Monday | 1365 days |
| 2030 | October 26 | Saturday | 1720 days |
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Go to ToolLighting the Way: The Ultimate Guide to Diwali
The night sky is about to erupt in a symphony of light, homes are being scrubbed clean to welcome prosperity, and the aroma of homemade sweets is filling the air. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is almost here.
If you are searching "How many days until Diwali?", you know that this isn't just a one-day event; it is a season of joy, shopping, and devotion. Whether you are planning your Rangoli designs, buying gold for Dhanteras, or booking tickets home, timing is everything.
Our Live Diwali Countdown Tool above tracks the exact moment until Lakshmi Puja, the main event of the festival. But beyond the timer, this guide is your comprehensive resource. We will explore the five days of festivities, the deep spiritual significance, the massive economic impact, and how to celebrate safely and sustainably.
When Is Diwali 2026? (November 8, 2026)
Diwali 2026, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The main day, November 8, 2026, is when families perform Lakshmi Puja and light lamps across homes.
The exact date of Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar and may vary slightly depending on local customs and observances. This live countdown helps you track how many days, hours, and minutes are left until the Festival of Lights begins.
🪔 Traditions & Celebrations
- Lakshmi Puja: Worship of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and wealth.
- Lighting Diyas: Homes are decorated with oil lamps and candles.
- Fireworks & Sweets: People celebrate with fireworks and exchange sweets with family and friends.
Diwali marks a multi-day festival. This countdown focuses on the main day of Lakshmi Puja.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, Diwali moves every year. It is celebrated on the Amavasya (New Moon) of the Hindu month of Kartik. This is the darkest night of the year, making it the perfect canvas for millions of diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks.
🌑 Why the Date Shifts
The Hindu calendar is lunisolar. A lunar month is shorter than a solar month. Therefore, Diwali usually falls between mid-October and mid-November.
The exact date is determined by the position of the moon. The main celebration (Lakshmi Puja) takes place on the 3rd day of the 5-day festival, when the moon is completely invisible. Use our countdown tool to stay synced with the Tithi (lunar day).
More Than One Day: The 5-Day Festival
Diwali is a journey that spans five distinct days, each with its own significance and rituals.
- Day 1: Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi): The festival begins with a celebration of wealth. It is considered auspicious to buy gold, silver, or new utensils. Homes are cleaned and decorated to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
- Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali): Celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. People wake up early for a ritual oil bath and light fewer lamps than the main day.
- Day 3: Lakshmi Puja (Main Diwali): The climax of the festival. Families dress in new clothes, perform puja to Goddess Lakshmi (wealth) and Lord Ganesha (beginnings), light diyas, and burst firecrackers.
- Day 4: Govardhan Puja (Padwa): Celebrates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rain. Huge mounds of vegetarian food (Annakut) are offered to the deity.
- Day 5: Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya): Similar to Raksha Bandhan, this day celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers' longevity, and brothers give gifts in return.
Why Do We Light Lamps? The Legend of Ram
While there are many regional variations, the most popular legend comes from the epic Ramayana.
The Return of the King: Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom, Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile and defeating the demon king Ravana.
The First Diwali: According to the legend, it was a moonless night when Rama returned. To guide him home, the citizens of Ayodhya lit thousands of earthen lamps (diyas) along the path. This tradition continues today, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
The Economics of Light: The Gold Rush
Diwali is not just a spiritual event; it is an economic juggernaut. It is the Indian equivalent of Christmas in terms of consumer spending.
$32 Billion
Estimated retail sales during the Diwali festive season in India (CAIT Data).
30-40%
Of annual sales for consumer durables (electronics, appliances) happen now.
Gold
India is the world's 2nd largest gold consumer, with sales peaking on Dhanteras.
6 Million+
E-commerce shipments delivered daily during the "Big Billion Days" sales.
Your Countdown Strategy: Getting Ready
Diwali preparation is intense. From deep cleaning to bulk shopping, use our days until Diwali timer to stay organized.
Celebrating Responsibly: Green Diwali
The joy of fireworks often comes with the cost of air and noise pollution. In recent years, there has been a massive shift towards a "Green Diwali."
Eco-Friendly Crackers: Look for "Green Crackers" developed by CSIR-NEERI. They have a reduced shell size, no ash usage, and emit 30% less particulate matter.
Say No to Plastic: Use natural flowers and biodegradable rangoli colors instead of plastic decorations.
Pet Safety: The noise is terrifying for animals. Keep your pets indoors, close windows/curtains to dampen sound, and create a safe hiding spot for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let There Be Light!
As the Amavasya night approaches, may your life be illuminated with joy and prosperity. Use our Diwali Countdown Timer to ensure you don't miss the auspicious Muhurat for puja.
Bookmark this page! Our timer automatically updates to the next Diwali date once the festival passes.