Best Places to Celebrate Diwali in India 2026: City Guide
Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Here are the five best cities to celebrate it, with verified dates, what to see and how to plan with a week to go.
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, and the best places to celebrate it in India are Ayodhya, Varanasi, Jaipur, Amritsar and Kolkata, each with a very different mood: lakhs of diyas on the Saryu, Ganga aarti at the ghats, lit-up bazaars, the Golden Temple glowing on Bandi Chhor Divas, and all-night Kali Puja. This guide gives you the verified 2026 dates for each city, what to see, where to stand, how to get there at this late stage, and the mistakes that ruin a festival trip.
Key Takeaways
- Lakshmi Puja (main Diwali) is on Sunday, 8 November 2026; Dhanteras is 6 November and Bhai Dooj is 11 November.
- Ayodhya’s 10th Deepotsav is reported for 5 to 7 November 2026, with a target of about 33 lakh diyas; the big lamp-lighting is traditionally on the eve of Diwali.
- Kolkata’s Kali Puja and Amritsar’s Bandi Chhor Divas both fall on the night of 8 November this year.
- If you miss Diwali itself, Varanasi’s Dev Deepawali on Tuesday, 24 November is the second big lamp festival of the month.
- With a week to go, trains are mostly full: look at flights to secondary airports, road trips, and staying one town away.
Updated October 2026. Festival dates below follow Drik Panchang (New Delhi) and official or widely reported state announcements. Local programmes can shift by a day, so check the final schedule before you travel.
Diwali 2026: Quick Answer
If you only need the dates and the one place to pick, here they are.
| Destination | Main day to be there | What you will see | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | 5 to 7 November (Deepotsav) | Lakhs of diyas at Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu ghats, laser and drone shows | Spectacle, devotion |
| Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | 8 November, then 24 November (Dev Deepawali) | Ganga aarti, diyas on the ghats, boat views | Photography, spiritual travel |
| Jaipur, Rajasthan | 6 to 10 November | Illuminated bazaars in the Walled City, fort views | Families, shopping, first-timers |
| Amritsar, Punjab | 8 November (Bandi Chhor Divas) | Golden Temple lit with lamps, fireworks over the sarovar | Calm devotion, langar |
| Kolkata, West Bengal | 7 November night (Bhoot Chaturdashi) and 8 November night (Kali Puja) | Kali Puja pandals, Kalighat and Dakshineswar | Night-long pandal hopping |
| Ahmedabad and Gujarat | 8 to 10 November | Lakshmi Puja, then Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year) on 10 November | Food, family visits, temple darshan |
The full Diwali 2026 calendar
| Date | Day | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| 6 November 2026 | Friday | Dhanteras |
| 7 November 2026 | Saturday | Kali Chaudas (Gujarat), Bhoot Chaturdashi (Bengal) |
| 8 November 2026 | Sunday | Narak Chaturdashi (morning), Lakshmi Puja and Kali Puja (night) |
| 10 November 2026 | Tuesday | Govardhan Puja, Bali Pratipada, Gujarati New Year |
| 11 November 2026 | Wednesday | Bhai Dooj, Bhai Phonta |
| 24 November 2026 | Tuesday | Dev Deepawali (Varanasi), Kartik Purnima, Guru Nanak Jayanti |
1. Ayodhya: Deepotsav on the Saryu
Ayodhya has turned Diwali eve into one of the largest lamp festivals anywhere. The story is simple: Diwali marks Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya, and the city lights up the riverfront to welcome him. In 2026 it is the 10th edition of the state-run Deepotsav. The Organiser reported on 10 October 2026 that about 33 lakh earthen lamps will line roughly two kilometres from Ram Ki Paidi towards the Saryu ghats from 5 to 7 November, with tens of thousands of volunteers and students helping to light them.
A note on the exact day: sources do not agree. The Incredible India listing shows 6 November 2026, while news reports describe a 5 to 7 November programme. The lamp-lighting has traditionally been held on the evening before Diwali, which in 2026 is Saturday, 7 November. If you can, stay for the full three days so you do not miss the main night.
What to do there
- Reach Ram Ki Paidi in the afternoon; roads into the ghat area are usually closed to vehicles by evening.
- Watch the laser and projection shows that retell the Ramayana, and the cultural stage programmes at Ram Ki Paidi.
- Plan Ram Mandir darshan for early morning on a non-peak day, not on Deepotsav evening, when queues are at their longest.
- Carry a small torch, water and a power bank. Mobile networks often slow down in big crowds.
How to reach
Ayodhya now has its own airport (Maharshi Valmiki International Airport), and Lucknow and Varanasi airports are within a few hours by road. Trains stop at Ayodhya Dham Junction and Ayodhya Cantt. Hotels inside Ayodhya fill up fast in Deepotsav week, so many visitors stay in Faizabad, Lucknow or on the highway and drive in for the evening.
2. Varanasi: Ganga Aarti, Then Dev Deepawali
Diwali in Varanasi is quieter than you might expect. Most families celebrate at home and in the lanes, so the ghats are calmer on 8 November than on the city’s own festival of lights two weeks later. That makes Varanasi a good pick if you want both: a traditional Diwali in a living old city, and the much bigger Dev Deepawali on Tuesday, 24 November 2026 (Kartik Purnima), when the riverfront from Assi to Rajghat is lined with diyas.
Diwali week in Varanasi
- Evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat runs every day. Arrive an hour early for a step to sit on.
- Boat ride at dusk gives the best view of lamps along the ghats. Agree the price, duration and number of passengers before you board, and ask for life jackets.
- Annakut on 10 November: many temples prepare large food offerings for Govardhan Puja. Visit in the morning.
If you are planning Dev Deepawali
Hotels and boats for 24 November get booked weeks in advance, and prices rise sharply. If you cannot get a ghat-facing room, stay in Sigra, Lanka or near BHU and walk down. Traffic near the river is normally restricted on the evening itself.
3. Jaipur: The Pink City Lit Up
Jaipur is the easiest Diwali trip for families and first-time visitors. Traders in the Walled City decorate their markets every year, and the bazaars around Johari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, Chandpole and MI Road turn into long corridors of lights. Shops stay open late in the Dhanteras to Diwali stretch, which also makes it the best time to buy jewellery, block-print textiles and brassware.
A simple three-day plan
- Day 1 (6 November, Dhanteras): Amber Fort in the morning, then the lit bazaars after 7 PM.
- Day 2 (7 November): City Palace and Jantar Mantar in the day; sunset at Nahargarh Fort for a view over the city as lights come on.
- Day 3 (8 November, Lakshmi Puja): A slow morning; Govind Dev Ji temple; evening in the old city when homes and havelis are lit and fireworks start.
Jaipur is well connected by air and rail and is about five to six hours by road from Delhi, which makes it the best last-minute option on this list.
4. Amritsar: Bandi Chhor Divas at the Golden Temple
For Sikhs, the day of Diwali is Bandi Chhor Divas, which remembers Guru Hargobind Ji’s release from Gwalior Fort along with 52 rajas. The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and the sarovar around it are lit with lamps and candles, and there are fireworks over the complex at night. In 2026 that is the night of Sunday, 8 November.
Etiquette and tips
- Cover your head (scarves are available at the entrance), remove shoes and wash your feet before entering.
- Eat at the langar. It is free and open to everyone; sit on the floor in rows and accept what is served.
- Expect very large crowds after sunset. Go early, find a spot on the marble parikrama, and stay put.
- Do not bring tobacco or alcohol anywhere near the complex.
If you stay on, Amritsar also marks Guru Nanak Jayanti on 24 November with an Akhand Path and a nagar kirtan the day before.
5. Kolkata: Kali Puja Nights
Bengal celebrates Diwali night as Kali Puja (Shyama Puja). In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 8 November, the same night as Lakshmi Puja elsewhere, and the main Nishita puja in Kolkata runs late, roughly 10:55 PM to 11:46 PM according to Drik Panchang. The night before, 7 November, is Bhoot Chaturdashi, when families light 14 diyas to ward off evil spirits.
Where to go
- Kalighat and Dakshineswar temples for traditional puja. Both get very crowded; go before 8 PM or after midnight.
- Neighbourhood pandals across the city and suburbs; Barasat in North 24 Parganas is especially known for large themed Kali Puja pandals and lighting.
- Bhai Phonta on 11 November if you have Bengali friends or family; it is the warmest part of the week.
Kolkata’s festival week runs late into the night. Plan travel on the metro, and keep a little cash for street food and pandal donations.
6. Other Places Worth Considering
| Place | Why go | Key 2026 date |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad and Saurashtra | Chopda Puja in shops, then Bestu Varas visits and sweets; temples like Dwarka and Somnath are busy | 10 November (New Year) |
| Udaipur | Lit lakeside havelis and ghats around Lake Pichola; pleasant November weather | 8 November |
| Goa | Narkasur effigy contests in villages, burned before dawn on Narak Chaturdashi | Night of 7 to 8 November |
| Mathura and Vrindavan | Govardhan Puja and Annakut at Govardhan hill and temples | 10 November |
| Kutch, Gujarat | Rann Utsav season opens; Diwali week at the Tent City | 8 to 14 November |
How to Plan a Diwali Trip With a Week to Go
Most people start planning too late, and this year is no different. Here is what still works in the first week of November.
Transport
- Trains: The IRCTC advance booking window is 60 days, so regular quota seats for Diwali week are long gone. Try Tatkal, which opens one day before the journey (10 AM for AC, 11 AM for sleeper), and check special festival trains announced by your zone.
- Flights: Prices for 6 to 8 November are high. Compare every airport within driving distance: Ayodhya, Lucknow and Varanasi all serve Ayodhya, and fares on one route are often far lower than on another.
- Road: For trips under 400 km, a self-drive or hired car is often the cheapest and most flexible choice. Leave before 6 AM and avoid driving at night on festival evenings.
Stay
- Stay one town away and drive in for the evening: Lucknow or the highway hotels for Ayodhya, the outskirts of Jaipur rather than the Walled City, Mughalsarai (Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar) side for Varanasi.
- Read the cancellation policy. Many festival rates are non-refundable.
- Ask whether the property serves food on Diwali night. Many restaurants close early or run limited menus.
Budget guide
These are rough per-person ranges for a 3-night trip from a metro, excluding shopping. Festival pricing varies widely, so treat them as planning numbers only.
| Trip style | Stay per night | Total for 3 nights |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (dharamshala, guest house, train) | Rs 800 to Rs 2,000 | Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 |
| Mid-range (3-star hotel, flights or AC train) | Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000 | Rs 18,000 to Rs 35,000 |
| Comfort (heritage or 5-star) | Rs 10,000 and above | Rs 45,000 and above |
Safety, air quality and etiquette
- Air quality: North Indian cities often record poor air in November. If anyone in your group has asthma or a heart condition, carry medicines and a good mask, and consult your doctor before travelling.
- Firecrackers: Rules differ by state and city, and many places allow only green crackers within set hours. Follow local orders and keep children away from crowds where fireworks are being set off.
- Crowds: Agree on a meeting point with your group. Keep phones and wallets in front pockets.
- Respect rituals: Ask before photographing people at prayer, and do not use flash during aarti.
- Clothing: Evenings get cool in Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh by early November. Carry a light jacket or shawl.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali’s main Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 11 November.
What is the date of Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026?
News reports describe the 10th Deepotsav as a three-day event from 5 to 7 November 2026. Incredible India lists 6 November. The large lamp-lighting has traditionally been held on Diwali eve, which this year is 7 November. Check the Uttar Pradesh government’s final schedule before travelling.
Which is the best place to celebrate Diwali in India with family?
Jaipur is the easiest choice for families: good connectivity, plenty of hotels, lit bazaars and day sightseeing. Amritsar is also family-friendly, calm and free to visit, with langar for everyone.
Is Kali Puja on the same day as Diwali in 2026?
Yes. Kali Puja is on the night of Sunday, 8 November 2026, the same day as Lakshmi Puja.
Is Dev Deepawali the same as Diwali?
No. Dev Deepawali is celebrated in Varanasi on Kartik Purnima, about two weeks after Diwali. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 24 November.
Can I still get train tickets for Diwali week?
Regular berths are usually sold out because booking opens 60 days ahead. Tatkal tickets, festival special trains and waitlist cancellations are your best bets, along with buses and road trips.
Pick the Mood, Then Book
Choose your city by the kind of Diwali you want: Ayodhya for scale, Varanasi for river and ritual, Jaipur for lights and shopping, Amritsar for quiet devotion, Kolkata for late nights. With a week left, lock in transport first, then a stay you can cancel, and keep one evening free to simply walk and watch. If Diwali week does not work out, Dev Deepawali on 24 November is a beautiful second chance.
