The November 2026 festival calendar holds immense importance for devotees as this month brings sacred festivals like Dhanteras, Diwali, Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti. This article provides you with dates, puja rituals and auspicious timings for all major festivals in November.
Major Festivals in November 2026
November is considered the most sacred time of festivals in Hindu tradition. This year, the month of Kartik brings numerous auspicious celebrations that symbolize wealth, prosperity, sibling love and spiritual awakening.
Ahoi Ashtami
Ahoi Ashtami falls on the eighth day of Kartik Krishna Paksha. Mothers observe this vrat (ritual fast) for the long life and well-being of their children. On this day, Ahoi Mata is worshipped, and the fast is broken after sighting the stars at sunset.
Dhanteras: The Festival of Wealth and Health
Dhanteras is celebrated on Trayodashi of Kartik month. According to tradition, Lord Dhanvantari, considered the deity of Ayurveda, was born on this day. Purchasing gold, silver, utensils or new items on Dhanteras is considered auspicious. Maa Lakshmi and Lord Kubera are worshipped on this day. Diyas (lamps) are lit in homes and prosperity is invoked.
Special Significance of Diwali in the November 2026 Festival Calendar
Diwali or Deepavali is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya (new moon). This festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. It is believed that on this day, Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, and the people of Ayodhya welcomed Him by lighting ghee lamps.
On Diwali night, Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped with full rituals. Homes are decorated with diyas, rangoli is created, and sweets are distributed. This festival spans five days, with various rituals from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj.
Govardhan Puja and Annakut
The day after Diwali brings Govardhan Puja. On this day, the divine leela (pastime) of Lord Shri Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain is remembered. Devotees create a symbolic mountain using cow dung and worship it as a representation of Govardhan. In temples, Annakut bhog is offered, following the tradition of Chhappan Bhog (fifty-six food offerings).
Bhai Dooj: The Festival of Sibling Love
Bhai Dooj is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. On this day, sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life. Brothers give gifts to their sisters and pledge to protect them. This festival is connected to the story of Yama and Yamuna.
Chhath Puja: Worship of Surya Dev
Chhath Puja holds an extremely sacred place in the November 2026 festival calendar. This four-day festival is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. During Chhath Puja, Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya are worshipped. This vrat is observed for the well-being and prosperity of children.
Chhath Puja begins with Nahay-Khay, when the vrati (devotee observing the fast) bathes and consumes pure food. The second day is Kharna, when after a full day of nirjala (waterless) fast, prasad (sacred food) of jaggery kheer and roti is taken in the evening. On the third day, Sandhya Arghya is offered when devotees offer arghya to the setting sun at the riverbank or pond. On the fourth day, the fast concludes after offering arghya to the rising sun in the morning.
This festival is celebrated with great devotion primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. Purity and discipline are given special attention during Chhath Puja.
Guru Nanak Jayanti: The Sacred Festival of Sikh Dharma
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on Kartik Purnima (full moon). This is the Prakash Parv (birth celebration) of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder and first Guru of the Sikh faith. Special kirtan (devotional singing) and langar (community meal) are organized at Gurudwaras on this day. Devotees take out Prabhat Pheris (morning processions) and recite Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Nanak Dev ji gave the message of one God, seva (service) and equality. His teachings are inspiring for people of all faiths. This festival holds special significance in the November 2026 festival calendar.
How to Prepare for November Festivals
Preparing in advance for November festivals is considered auspicious. House cleaning, whitewashing, new clothes and puja materials should be arranged beforehand. Since purchasing new items on Dhanteras is traditional, plan your budget early.
Collect essential items for puja such as flowers, incense, diyas, roli, rice, coconut and sweets. For Diwali, arrange especially for ghee lamps, rangoli colors and firecrackers. For Chhath Puja, prepare thekua, fruits and other prasad items.
Puja Rituals and Significance of Festivals
Each festival has its own special puja ritual. On Dhanteras, Maa Lakshmi is worshipped with Shodashopachara (sixteen forms of offering). On Diwali night, along with Lakshmi-Ganesha puja, diya daan (offering of lamps) holds special importance. According to tradition, thirteen diyas are placed at different locations.
Purity and restraint are extremely essential in Chhath Puja. The vrati must follow specific rules for all four days. On Guru Nanak Jayanti, reciting Gurbani (Guru’s words) and maintaining the spirit of seva (service) is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali in November 2026?
Diwali in November 2026 will be celebrated on Kartik Amavasya. This five-day festival begins with Dhanteras and continues until Bhai Dooj.
What are the main festivals in the November 2026 festival calendar?
The main festivals in November 2026 are Ahoi Ashtami, Dhanteras, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti. All these are sacred festivals of the Kartik month.
How many days is Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival. The first day is Nahay-Khay, the second day Kharna, the third day Sandhya Arghya, and the vrat concludes on the fourth day with Usha Arghya.
What is considered auspicious to purchase on Dhanteras?
Purchasing gold, silver, utensils, coins or any new item on Dhanteras is considered auspicious. According to tradition, things purchased on this day bring prosperity to the home.
When is Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated?
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on Kartik Purnima. This is the Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the first Guru of Sikhism, and is celebrated with devotion across the country.
Experience Divine Darshan with Durlabh Darshan
If you are unable to visit temples for darshan (sacred viewing) during these sacred November festivals for any reason, the Durlabh Darshan app can bring the experience of divine darshan to your home. Built with AR/VR technology, this app gives you the opportunity to participate in darshan, aarti (ritual of light) and puja at major temples across the country. Though it cannot replace a physical pilgrimage, when travel is not possible, it helps keep your devotion alive. In this sacred month, express your faith through the Durlabh Darshan app.
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