Experience Diwali 2026 in India: Travel, Puja, and Festival Insights
Last Updated on Sep 24th, 2026 by Kamal Kishor, Leave a Comment
Key Takeaway
- Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8.
- The five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on November 6 to Bhai Dooj on November 10.
- Lakshmi Puja timings in Canadian cities are approximately 5:30 to 7:30 PM local time on November 8.
- November is a peak travel month for Canada-to-India flights, with fares driven by Diwali, the wedding season, and the approaching Christmas holidays.
Introduction
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8. If you are flying from Canada to India for the festival, the best time to book is mid-to-late September. After that, fares climb 40 to 60%, and seats together become scarce.
November is the busiest travel month on the Canada to India route. Flights from Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Edmonton fill up fast, especially for the peak departure window of November 1 to 6.
This guide covers everything you need to plan the trip from Lakshmi Puja muhurat to the best booking window, routes available, and the return flights to avoid the post-Diwali rush.
Diwali 2026 Key Dates
| Occasion | Date | Day |
| Dhanteras | November 6, 2026 | Friday |
| Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) | November 7, 2026 | Saturday |
| Diwali / Lakshmi Puja | November 8, 2026 | Sunday |
| Govardhan Puja | November 9, 2026 | Monday |
| Bhai Dooj | November 10, 2026 | Tuesday |
Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya (new moon) of the Kartik month. The five-day festival begins with Dhanteras, when families buy gold, silver, or new utensils to invite prosperity, and concludes with Bhai Dooj, which celebrates the bond between siblings.
Planning a trip for another festival? See our blogs on Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 and Karwa Chauth 2026 for dates, muhurat, and flights.
Diwali Muhurat and Lakshmi Puja Timings
Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is performed during Pradosh Kaal, the approximately two-and-a-half-hour window after sunset when the Amavasya (new moon) tithi is prevailing. Within Pradosh Kaal, the most auspicious window is Vrishabha Kaal, when the moon is in Taurus.
For the Diwali festival 2026, the panchang timings are
| Detail | Timing |
| Amavasya Tithi Begins | 11:27 AM on November 8, 2026 |
| Amavasya Tithi Ends | 12:31 PM on November 9, 2026 |
| Pradosh Kaal | 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM |
| Vrishabha Kaal | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM |
| Lakshmi Puja Muhurat | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM |
Timings are calculated for Indian Standard Time. Families in Canada should convert to their local time zone or check a local Panchang.
Canada to India Flights for Diwali 2026
November is one of the highest-demand travel months for Canada-to-India flights, with Diwali, the wedding season, and the approaching Christmas holidays all falling within weeks of each other.
When to Book Deepawali 2026 Flights from Canada
If you are looking for the best time to book flights from Canada to India for Diwali, the answer is mid-to-late September 2026. Canada to India routes are long-haul, and airlines release the cheapest fare buckets early, then close them as the plane fills.
| Booking Window | What to Expect |
| Before September 15 (8+ weeks out) | Best fare classes are still open on most routes. There is the widest choice of connection times and seats together for families. |
| September 15 – October 10 (4 to 7 weeks out) | Fares are rising. It is still workable, but seat-together availability shrinks from Toronto to Delhi and Toronto to Amritsar. |
| October 11-31 (1 to 4 weeks out) | Peak pricing on the popular dates. Only higher fare classes are left on direct-ish routings. |
| November 1-7 | Last-minute. Expect 2-stop routings and premium prices unless you are flexible on the airport or the date. |
Cheapest and Most Expensive Dates to Fly
Peak-week fares are not fixed. A few small shifts can cut the bill significantly.
- Most expensive outbound dates: November 4, 5, and 6, because everyone wants to arrive before Dhanteras. Thursday and Friday departures cost the most.
- Cheapest outbound dates near the festival: October 28-31 (a week early) or November 8 itself. Flying on Diwali day is often cheaper because planes are emptier.
- Most expensive return dates: November 15-22, when most visitors head back to Canada.
- Cheaper returns: November 11-13 (straight after Bhai Dooj) or any date after November 26.
Here are the regular Canada-to-India routes available around the Diwali festival:
Airlines Operating These Routes
Air India, Air Canada, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines all offer flights from Canada to India.
Non-stop options: Air India and Air Canada operate direct flights from Toronto and Vancouver to Delhi. Air India has also announced a new non-stop Toronto-Mumbai service starting October 25, 2026.
Can’t Find a Convenient Flight to Your Hometown?
A flight from Canada to India may not take you directly to your hometown. Instead, you can fly to a major international gateway such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, or Ahmedabad and continue by domestic flight.
Unsure which gateway and connection would work best for your final destination? MyTicketsToIndia can help you compare available options and complete your booking.
What Is Diwali and Why Is It Celebrated?
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindu Festival of Lights. The name comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, a row of lights. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.
The festival falls on Amavasya (new moon) in the Kartik month, which usually falls in October or November in the Gregorian calendar. Homes are lit with diyas (clay lamps), rangoli decorates doorsteps, and families gather for Lakshmi Puja, a prayer to the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The festival is celebrated across India, although the story behind it varies by region. In North India, it marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. In Gujarat, the festival signifies the start of a new financial year. In West Bengal, it is celebrated alongside Kali Puja. In South India, Deepavali traditions include early morning oil baths and new clothes.
Why Is Diwali Celebrated for Five Days?
The five-day structure of Diwali is a tradition that has grown over centuries. Each day has its meaning, and together they form a complete festival arc:
Preparation, celebration, gratitude, and family.
What does each day of Deepawali represent?
Diwali is not a single-day festival. It is a five-day cultural celebration, each with its own rituals and significance.
| Day | Date (2026) | Also Known As | Focus of the Day |
| Day 1 | Friday, November 6 | Dhanteras | Buying gold, silver, or new utensils; health and prosperity |
| Day 2 | Saturday, November 7 | Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi | Preparation, decoration, and early celebrations |
| Day 3 | Sunday, November 8 | Diwali / Lakshmi Puja | Main festival day; Lakshmi Puja in the evening |
| Day 4 | Monday, November 9 | Govardhan Puja | Gratitude for nature; community feasts |
| Day 5 | Tuesday, November 10 | Bhai Dooj | Celebration of the brother-sister bond |
Day 1: Dhanteras
Dhanteras is the first day of the festival of Diwali. Families clean their house, purchase new utensils and gold or silver, and decorate the entrance with rangoli. A diya is lit in many households for Lord Dhanvantari, who is the god of health and Ayurveda.
Day 2: Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi
Choti Diwali, which translates as ‘Small Diwali,’ is a day of preparation. Lights are lit, sweets are made, and families are coming together for early celebrations. In some traditions, this day is a celebration of Lord Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura.
Day 3: Diwali / Lakshmi Puja
The principal day of the festival. Lakshmi Puja is held by families in the evening to pray to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. Diyas are lit, fireworks are let off, and sweets are exchanged with neighbours and friends.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is a celebration of Lord Krishna’s helping the villagers of Gokul during heavy rains. In numerous households, a heap of food is cooked as an offering to the bounty of nature.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj is an occasion that is celebrated to promote the relationship among siblings. The sisters put tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, pray for their long life, and the brothers give some gifts and promise to protect them.
How Is Diwali Celebrated in India?
Diwali celebration varies from region to region in India. The heart of the values and rituals, however, is the same, with the emphasis on light, family, and food.
North India
Families celebrate Diwali in elaborate ways in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, decorating their homes, throwing fireworks, and visiting relatives. During the weeks prior to the festival, the markets are full of people. In Ayodhya, Deepotsav at Ram Ki Paidi ghat is the biggest ever, lit with millions of diyas along the Saryu River.
Maharashtra
Diwali is marked in Mumbai and Pune with festive snacks such as faral (chakli, sev, shankarpali, etc.). Sweets are exchanged between families, and the streets are lit up. The festival is also the harvest-time ending festival in rural Maharashtra.
Gujarat
Diwali is the start of the new financial year in Gujarat. On this day, old books are closed, and new books are opened. Some of the most colourful Diwali markets can be found in Ahmedabad and Surat.
South India
Deepavali in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana starts with an early morning oil bath, wearing new clothes and prayers. Temples are visited, and sweets are exchanged with family members. The festival is celebrated in Bengaluru in home, temple, and community settings.
West Bengal
Diwali falls in the festive season of Kali Puja in Kolkata. People celebrate this night with elaborate pandals of Goddess Kali, firework displays, and community feasts.
Give us a call or WhatsApp us your dates and cities. We will verify availability in real time on all carriers along your route.
Diwali Festival 2026, Celebrations in Canada
Being in Canada doesn’t mean Diwali celebrations here become purely private. Indian communities across cities such as Toronto, Brampton, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton organize temple and community programs, while many families also light diyas at home and continue their traditions.
Celebrations Across Canada
| City | Event |
| Toronto | 4th Annual Diwali Festival of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square (October 24 to 25) |
| Brampton | Diwali Dhamaka 2026 – The Festival of Lights (October 24 to 25) |
| Brampton | Jashan – E – Diwali: An Evening of Sufi Qawwali & Celebration (November 6) |
| Vancouver | Diwali in Vancouver at Roundhouse Community Centre (November 7) |
| Calgary | Diwali Fest 2026 – A Celebration of Light, Culture & Community (October 30) |
| Calgary | Diwali Utsav by Indian Society of Calgary (November 14) |
| Belleville | Belleville Diwali Festival at Zwicks Park (September 26) |
| Ottawa | Community Diwali celebrations at local Hindu temples |
Celebrating Diwali in India
For many families in Canada, Diwali is the occasion that brings them back to the family home in India. If your family celebrates Diwali in your hometown, you may want to be there for Lakshmi Puja, the five days of festivities, or simply to sit with your parents and share sweets.
If you’re planning to make that journey this November, MyTicketsToIndia can help you find a Canada-to-India flight around your dates, compare available connections, and choose the Indian gateway that makes getting to your hometown easier.
Because sometimes, the best part of the festival is simply being there with your family.
Return Flights from India to Canada
If you are flying to India for Diwali, you will also need a return flight. Here are the major routes available:
| Indian Departure | Canadian Destinations |
| Delhi (DEL) | Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, Kelowna, Quebec |
| Mumbai (BOM) | Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, Kelowna, Quebec |
| Hyderabad (HYD) | Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, Kelowna, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal |
| Bengaluru (BLR) | Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, Kelowna |
| Amritsar (ATQ) | Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, Kelowna, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal |
| Kolkata (CCU) | Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, Kelowna, Quebec |
| Ahmedabad (AMD) | Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Victoria, Halifax, Kelowna, Quebec |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Diwali in 2026?
Q: Is Diwali celebrated on the same date in Canada and India?
Q: What are the Lakshmi Puja timings in Canada?
Q: Which Canadian cities have flights to India for Diwali?
Q: Are flights from Canada to India expensive during Diwali?
Q: How long is the flight from Canada to India?
Q: Can I book a round-trip flight for Diwali?
Q: What should I know about the return flight window?
Need Help Booking Canada-to-India Flights for Diwali 2026?
Planning a trip to India for Diwali? At MyTicketsToIndia, we specialize in Canada-to-India routes. We can help you:
- Find flights from your city to India
- Compare fares and routes
- Understand baggage policies
- Assist with booking changes or cancellations
Book Your Canada-to-India Flights Now
Happy Diwali!
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About Kamal Kishor | View Posts
Kamal is a passionate travel writer who brings destinations to life through his words. With years of experience and a knack for delivering impactful content, he blends creativity with insight in his writing. Growing up in Himachal, he developed a deep love for mountains, treks, and peaceful escapes. With a curious mind and an explorer’s spirit, Kamal aims to inspire readers to discover new places and create unforgettable travel experiences.
