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Diwali, or Deepavali, is the biggest festival of the Gujarati calendar. It closes the year of Vikram Samvat 2082 and welcomes Samvat 2083 with Lakshmi Pujan, Chopda Pujan and Bestu Varas. In 2026, Diwali is on Sunday, 8 November, on Aso Vad Amas, and the Lakshmi Pujan muhurat in Bhavnagar is 6:27 PM to 8:25 PM.
Diwali 2026 Muhurat
| Puja | Date | Muhurat |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras Puja | Friday, 6 November | 6:35 PM to 8:33 PM |
| Lakshmi Pujan | Sunday, 8 November | 6:27 PM to 8:25 PM |
| Chopda Pujan | Sunday, 8 November | 6:01 PM to 10:49 PM |
Diwali 2026 Calendar: Dhanteras to Labh Pancham
In Gujarat, Diwali is celebrated over several days. The festival starts on Aso Vad Teras with Dhanteras and continues until Kartak Sud Pancham, the day of Labh Pancham.
| Date | Day | Festival | Gujarati Tithi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Nov | Friday | Dhanteras – ધનતેરસ | Aso Vad Teras |
| 7 Nov | Saturday | Kali Chaudas – કાળી ચૌદસ | Aso Vad Chaudas |
| 8 Nov | Sunday | Diwali, Lakshmi Pujan, Chopda Pujan – દિવાળી | Aso Vad Amas |
| 9 Nov | Monday | Dhoko – ધોકો | Amas continues |
| 10 Nov | Tuesday | Bestu Varas (Nutan Varsh) 2083 – બેસતું વર્ષ | Kartak Sud Ekam |
| 11 Nov | Wednesday | Bhai Bij – ભાઈ બીજ | Kartak Sud Bij |
| 14 Nov | Saturday | Labh Pancham – લાભ પાંચમ | Kartak Sud Pancham |
Dhanteras 2026: Date and Puja Muhurat
| Date – Tithi | Friday, 6 November 2026 – Aso Vad Teras |
| Puja Muhurat | 6:35 PM to 8:33 PM |
| Shopping Muhurat | 12:24 PM to 1:49 PM and 4:37 PM to 6:02 PM |
Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi, opens the Diwali festival. The day is dedicated to Lakshmiji, Kuber and Dhanvantari, the god of health. In the evening, families offer prayers with silver coins bathed in panchamrut, along with flowers, kanku and a ghee diya.
Dhanteras is considered the most shubh day of the year to bring home gold, silver, new utensils or a new broom, as it is believed to invite wealth into the home for the coming year. You can check the gold rate today before you plan your purchase.
Kali Chaudas 2026
Kali Chaudas is on Saturday, 7 November 2026, on Aso Vad Chaudas. Also known as Narak Chaturdashi or Roop Chaudas, it marks the victory of Shri Krishna over Narakasur.
The night of Kali Chaudas is dedicated to Hanumanji and Maa Kali, and many families offer naivedya to their Kuldevi. In Gujarati homes, vadas are prepared in the evening and a few are placed at the nearest char rasta to keep negativity away.
Diwali 2026: Lakshmi Pujan Muhurat
- Date – Tithi: Sunday, 8 November 2026 – Aso Vad Amas
- Lakshmi Pujan Muhurat: 6:27 PM to 8:25 PM
Diwali celebrates the return of Shri Ram to Ayodhya after fourteen years of vanvas, when the people of Ayodhya lit diyas to welcome him home. It is also believed that on this night of Amas, Lakshmiji visits every home that is clean, bright and full of light.
Lakshmi Pujan Vidhi
Before sunset, the home is cleaned and a rangoli is made at the entrance. A bajoth is covered with a red cloth, and the murti of Lakshmiji and Ganpati is placed on it with a kalash of water, a coconut and mango leaves. The puja thali is prepared with kanku, chokha, coins, fresh flowers, a ghee diya, agarbatti and mohanthal or penda for prasad.
The puja begins with Ganpati, followed by Lakshmiji, and ends with aarti. Diyas are then lit at the entrance, on the balcony and in every corner of the home, and the main diya is kept lit through the night.
Chopda Pujan Muhurat 2026
For Gujarati vepari families, Chopda Pujan is the most important puja of the year. It marks the close of the old year’s hisab and the start of new books for Samvat 2083. The best time is the evening muhurat, 6:01 PM to 10:49 PM, when Shubh, Amrit and Char Choghadiya follow one after another.
| Choghadiya | Time on 8 November |
|---|---|
| Amrit (morning) | 11:27 AM to 12:25 PM |
| Shubh (afternoon) | 1:49 PM to 3:13 PM |
| Shubh, Amrit, Char (evening) | 6:01 PM to 10:49 PM |
| Labh (night) | 2:01 AM to 3:37 AM, 9 November |
Chopda Pujan Vidhi
The new chopda is placed on a red cloth beside Lakshmiji, along with the pen, galla and shop keys. Shubh Labh and a Swastik are written in kanku to begin the new books, and Sharda Pujan is done for Saraswatiji. The first entry in the new chopda is made on Labh Pancham. For daily timings after Diwali, see Choghadiya Today.
Dhoko 2026: Why Bestu Varas Is on 10 November
In 2026, Amas continues until 12:31 PM on Monday, 9 November. Since the Gujarati New Year begins only after Amas ends, 9 November is a Dhoko, an empty day between Diwali and Bestu Varas. Families spend the day resting at home or visiting close relatives.
Bestu Varas 2026: Gujarati New Year
Bestu Varas, or Nutan Varsh, is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, on Kartak Sud Ekam. It marks the start of Vikram Samvat 2083, the new year for every Gujarati family. Govardhan Puja and Annakut are also celebrated on this day.
Morning Traditions
The day begins early with the purchase of sabras, a packet of salt, as a wish for a year full of every flavour of life. A fresh rangoli welcomes guests at the door, everyone wears new clothes, and the first stop is darshan at a mandir. Many families begin the year at a Shiv temple; see our list of Shiv temples you should visit. Annakut darshan is also held at havelis and temples.
Saal Mubarak Visits
After darshan, elders are greeted with pranam, and wishes of Saal Mubarak and Nutan Varshabhinandan are shared throughout the day. Relatives and neighbours visit one another, and every home welcomes them with Diwali nasta like mathiya, chorafali, ghughra, suvali and mohanthal.
Bhai Bij 2026
Bhai Bij is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, on Kartak Sud Bij. It is also known as Yam Dwitiya. Brothers visit their sisters, who welcome them with tilak, aarti and a festive lunch. In return, brothers give a gift and their blessings, making it one of the most heartfelt days of the Diwali week.
Labh Pancham 2026
Labh Pancham is on Saturday, 14 November 2026, on Kartak Sud Pancham. It is also called Saubhagya Pancham. Shops, offices and markets reopen after the Diwali holidays, and the first entry of the new year is written in the chopda. Jain families celebrate the same day as Gyan Pancham, honouring books and knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November, on Aso Vad Amas.
What is the Lakshmi Pujan muhurat on Diwali 2026 in Bhavnagar?
The Lakshmi Pujan muhurat is 6:27 PM to 8:25 PM on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
What is the Chopda Pujan muhurat 2026?
The main Chopda Pujan muhurat is 6:01 PM to 10:49 PM on 8 November. Daytime options are 11:27 AM to 12:25 PM and 1:49 PM to 3:13 PM.
When is Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026, with the puja muhurat from 6:35 PM to 8:33 PM.
When is Bestu Varas 2026 (Gujarati New Year)?
Bestu Varas is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, and starts Vikram Samvat 2083. Monday, 9 November is a Dhoko.
When is Bhai Bij 2026?
Bhai Bij is on Wednesday, 11 November 2026.
When is Labh Pancham 2026?
Labh Pancham is on Saturday, 14 November 2026, when shops reopen after Diwali.
Shubh Deepavali and Saal Mubarak!
Dhiraj Patel is a seasoned writer for Bhavnagar.city, passionately exploring the city’s culture, history, and lifestyle. With a deep understanding of Bhavnagar’s heritage, he crafts engaging, well-researched content that resonates with locals and visitors alike. Dhiraj’s expertise and firsthand experiences ensure his articles are both informative and trustworthy.