Diwali 2027 date and the full five-day calendar

Diwali 2027 falls on Friday, 29 October. The five-day festival begins with Dhanteras on Wednesday, 27 October and ends with Bhai Dooj on Sunday, 31 October, according to Hindu almanacs (panchangs) and the Union government's holiday list for 2027.

With the main day on a Friday, Diwali 2027 gives many families a natural three-day weekend. Here is the full calendar and what each day means.

Key points

• Dhanteras: Wednesday 27 October 2027.
• Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali): Thursday 28 October.
• Diwali and Lakshmi Puja: Friday 29 October (gazetted holiday).
• Govardhan Puja: Saturday 30 October. Bhai Dooj: Sunday 31 October.
• Lakshmi Puja is done in the evening; two panchangs give a start time of about 6:35 PM in Delhi.
• In North America and the UK, some calendars mark the main Diwali evening on 28 October because of the time difference.

Diwali 2027 five-day calendar

The government's 2027 list makes Diwali on 29 October a gazetted holiday, and lists Naraka Chaturdashi, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj as restricted holidays. In states that celebrate Naraka Chaturdashi as the main day, central offices may take that day off instead.

What each day means

Dhanteras (27 October): The first day honours Dhanvantari, the god of health, and the goddess Lakshmi. Buying gold, silver, utensils or something new for the home on Dhanteras is a long-standing tradition, and jewellers and markets see some of their busiest trade of the year. Many families also light a lamp for Yama, the god of death, at the doorway.

Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali (28 October): Marks Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. In south India this is the main day of Deepavali, celebrated with an early-morning oil bath, new clothes and fireworks. In the north, homes are cleaned and the first lamps are lit.

Diwali and Lakshmi Puja (29 October): The new-moon night (Amavasya) of the month of Kartika. Homes and streets are lit with diyas and lights to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and families perform Lakshmi and Ganesh puja in the evening. It also marks Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, which is why it comes about three weeks after Dussehra.

Govardhan Puja (30 October): Remembers Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to shelter the people of Braj from storms. Temples prepare Annakut, a "mountain" of food offered to the deity. For many Gujarati families, this is also the first day of the new year.

Bhai Dooj (31 October): Sisters perform a tilak for their brothers and pray for their long life, and brothers give gifts in return. It is known as Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Bhai Phonta in Bengal. In 2027 it falls on a Sunday, which makes family visits easier for siblings who live in different cities.

Lakshmi Puja 2027 time

Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening, during the period after sunset called Pradosh Kaal, while the new-moon tithi is in effect.

For Delhi, two panchangs give a start time of about 6:35 PM on 29 October 2027, but they differ on how long the best window lasts, ending anywhere from about 7:05 PM to 8:02 PM. A third calendar gives a slightly earlier window. Timings also shift by 10 to 30 minutes from city to city, depending on sunset.

Check a local panchang or your family priest for the exact time in your city, and plan the puja before guests arrive or the fireworks begin.

How families get ready for Diwali

Preparations usually start a week or two before the festival.

• Cleaning and repairs: Homes are cleaned top to bottom, and many families paint or repair the house, in the belief that Lakshmi visits clean, well-lit homes.
• Rangoli: Patterns made with coloured powder, rice flour or flower petals are drawn at the entrance, often a new design each day of the festival.
• Lights: Clay diyas filled with oil or ghee are placed on doorsteps, windows and balconies, alongside electric lights and lanterns.
• Sweets and gifts: Families make or buy sweets such as laddoos, barfi, kaju katli and namkeen, and exchange boxes with neighbours, friends and colleagues.
• New clothes and accounts: Many people wear new clothes on Diwali, and traders traditionally open new account books (bahi khata) with a puja.

Diwali in other faiths

• Jain: Diwali marks the nirvana (liberation) of Lord Mahavira, and the Jain new year begins the next day.
• Sikh: The same day is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas, marking the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is lit up.
• Bengal and Assam: The new-moon night is celebrated as Kali Puja, the worship of the goddess Kali.

Diwali 2027 for Indians abroad

Because of the time difference, some calendars for North America and the UK mark the main Diwali evening on 28 October 2027, a day earlier than in India. Community celebrations abroad usually happen on the nearest weekend. Diaspora Indians should check with their local temple.

In India, Diwali falls on a Friday, so it is a good year for those abroad to time a family visit around the Friday to Sunday weekend.

Planning for Diwali 2027

• A three-day weekend: Diwali on Friday, followed by Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj over the weekend, means many people will have 29 to 31 October off. Taking 27 and 28 October as leave gives five days.
• Book trains and flights early: The Diwali and Chhath season is one of the busiest for travel in India. Chhath Puja follows on Thursday, 4 November 2027, so trains to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh will be packed for both.
• Firecracker rules: Many cities, including Delhi, restrict firecrackers to reduce air pollution, and courts have set limits on timing and types. Check the rules in your city before you buy. We reported recently that the Bombay High Court has said its ban on firecrackers on roads applies all year.
• Air quality: Late October and early November are when air quality in north India often gets worse. Families with children, older people or anyone with breathing problems may want to plan accordingly.
• Shopping: If you plan to buy gold or silver on Dhanteras, compare prices and insist on hallmarked jewellery.

Diwali 2027 compared with 2026

Diwali moves every year because it follows the lunar calendar. In 2026 the main day falls on 8 November, as we explained in our Diwali 2026 guide. In 2027 it comes about ten days earlier, on 29 October.

See every festival of the year in our full festival calendar for 2027.

With the festival falling on a Friday, Diwali 2027 is one to plan ahead for. Book your travel early, buy your diyas and sweets in good time, and check the firecracker rules in your city.