Diwali 2026: the Festival of Lights in India and Tihar in Nepal
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On Sunday, November 8, 2026, families across India place small oil lamps on windowsills, stairs, and rooftops. Diwali is here. In Nepal, the festival has its own name and lasts five days: Tihar. Here you will learn what lies behind both festivals and why one word from them is in our name.
Diwali 2026 at a glance
The main evening with the Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
In Nepal, Tihar is celebrated from November 7 to 11, 2026.
Diwali stands for the victory of light over darkness.
Its symbol is the diya, a small oil lamp made of clay.
What does Diwali mean?
Diwali comes from Deepavali, Sanskrit for "a row of lights". It celebrates the victory of light over darkness. In northern India, the festival commemorates Ram's return to Ayodhya, in the south, Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. In many families, Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, is the focus of the evening. Houses are thoroughly cleaned beforehand so that she can enter.
Diwali 2026: Date and course
The festival lasts five days. Its highlight is the new moon evening, on which the Lakshmi Puja is celebrated. In 2026, this evening falls on Sunday, November 8. The exact time of the prayer depends on the Hindu calendar and varies from city to city.
Diyas, Rangoli and Sweets
A diya is a small bowl made of fired clay, filled with oil or ghee and a cotton wick. Rangoli, patterns made of colored powder, rice, or flower petals, are created in front of house doors. Families visit each other, exchange sweets, and wear new clothes.
Tihar: How Nepal Celebrates the Festival of Lights
In Nepal, Tihar is the second largest festival of the year after Dashain. For five days, it honors animals, the goddess Lakshmi, and the bond between siblings.
The Five Days of Tihar 2026
Tihar begins on Saturday, November 7, with Kag Tihar. Rice and food are placed on the roofs for crows, as they are considered messengers. On Sunday follows Kukur Tihar: dogs receive a garland of marigolds, a red tika on their foreheads, and a special meal. On the evening of the same day, Laxmi Puja is celebrated, the Nepalese Diwali evening. Houses glow in the light of oil lamps and strings of lights.
On Monday, November 9, is Gai Tihar, the day of the cow. On Tuesday follow Govardhan Puja and Goru Tihar, on which oxen are honored. The Newars in the Kathmandu Valley celebrate Mha Puja on the same day, a devotion to one's own body, and begin their new year according to the Nepal Sambat.
On Wednesday, November 11, the festival ends with Bhai Tika. Sisters place a seven-colored tika on their brothers' foreheads and ask for a long life. The brothers give gifts to their sisters. Depending on the calendar, a date may differ by one day.
Deusi and Bhailo: Songs from House to House
On the evenings, groups go through the neighborhood and sing Deusi and Bhailo, songs full of blessings for the house. In return, they receive sweets, fruit, or a few rupees. This is how the festival moves from door to door.
What Light Has to Do with PRADIYA
Our name comes from Sanskrit. PRA means to plant a seed, DIYA means to bring light. In Hindi, diya stands for exactly the small clay lamp that burns in every window on Diwali and Tihar.
When we speak of light, we mean something tangible: 27 children who have a home in the PRADIYA children's home in Oda in the Kalikot district, and 124 children who attend a school there based on Waldorf principles. You can read more about this on the page The Project in Nepal.
PRADIYA gives back: Every angora scarf sold provides one of these children with a month of sponsorship. The scarves are handmade by weavers in India, and the fur of the angora rabbits is cut by hand every three months. Here you can find our Angora Scarves.
We wish you bright days. Shubh Deepavali, and in Nepal: Tihar ko Shubhakamana.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diwali and Tihar
When is Diwali 2026?
The main evening of Diwali with the Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The entire festival lasts five days.
What is the difference between Diwali and Tihar?
Both celebrate light and the goddess Lakshmi. Tihar is the Nepalese form of the festival. It additionally honors crows, dogs, cows, and oxen, and ends with Bhai Tika, the day of siblings.
What does the word Diwali mean?
Diwali is the short form of Deepavali. The Sanskrit word means "a row of lights".
When is Tihar 2026 in Nepal?
Tihar will be celebrated from November 7 to 11 in 2026, beginning with Kag Tihar and ending with Bhai Tika.
What does DIYA mean in the name PRADIYA?
PRADIYA combines the Sanskrit words PRA, to plant a seed, and DIYA, to bring light. In Hindi, diya also refers to the clay oil lamp, the symbol of Diwali.