Telugu Festival
దీపావళి
Diwali
Festival of lights 2026 — Lakshmi Puja, Naraka Chaturdashi and panchangam
2026 Date
Thursday, October 22, 2026
ఆశ్వయుజం బహుళ undefined, పరాభవ నామ సంవత్సరం
Panchangam for Diwali 2026
📍 Hyderabad, IST · October 22, 2026
Tithi
Krishna Paksha undefined
బహుళ undefined
Vara
Thursday
గురువారం
Nakshatra
Yoga
Karana
Timings (Hyderabad IST)
Rahu Kalam
1:28 pm – 2:55 pm
Gulika Kalam
9:06 am – 10:33 am
Yamagandam
6:11 am – 7:38 am
Abhijit Muhurtham
11:37 am – 12:25 pm
Sunrise / Sunset
6:11 am / 5:50 pm
Muhurta Guidance
Lakshmi Puja Muhurtham is the most precisely calculated timing of Diwali. The ideal window is during Pradosh Kalam (1.5 hours after sunset) when Amavasya tithi and Swati or Anuradha nakshatra coincide. The Nishita Kalam (midnight) is the second window. Check the panchangam below for the exact 2026 timings.
Significance — ప్రాధాన్యత
Diwali, the festival of lights, is observed on Kartika Krishna Amavasya — the new moon night in the month of Kartika. In 2026, it falls on October 22. The festival is a five-day celebration: Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali (Amavasya), Bali Pratipada, and Yama Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj).
In Telugu tradition, Diwali has a specific significance beyond Lakshmi Puja. The night before Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) celebrates Lord Krishna's defeat of the demon Narakasura at dawn — making the pre-dawn oil bath (Narakasura Snanam) the most distinctive Telugu Diwali custom.
The Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya night is performed with detailed ritual during the Pradosh Kalam and Nishita Kalam — households light rows of clay lamps (diyas) and draw rangoli of Lakshmi's feet. Crackers, while traditional, are increasingly replaced by diyas and flower fireworks.
Bali Pratipada (the day after Diwali) celebrates the return of King Bali from the netherworld — in Andhra Pradesh this is celebrated with Govardhan Puja and the drawing of Bali Chakravarrti images in front of homes.
Rituals — పూజా విధానం
Naraka Chaturdashi (day before): rise 1.5 hours before sunrise, apply oil mixed with shikakai, bathe before dawn — the "Narakasura Snanam"
Wear new clothes immediately after the pre-dawn bath
Burst crackers at dawn to celebrate Krishna's victory over Narakasura
Evening Lakshmi Puja: clean the puja room, draw Lakshmi's foot-prints in rice flour from the door inward
Light 13 or 21 clay diyas around the home at dusk
Perform Lakshmi Puja with lotus flowers, gold/silver coins, and account books (for business owners)
Light a lamp at every doorway and window — leaving no corner dark
Distribute sweets to neighbours and wish "Deepavali Subhakankshalu"
Telugu Traditions — తెలుగు సంప్రదాయాలు
Narakasura Snanam — the Telugu Diwali's most distinctive custom: a pre-dawn oil bath that symbolically removes the "filth of Narakasura" (i.e. sin and bad fortune)
Burning of Narakasura effigy in some areas — a fiery dummy representing the demon is set alight before the pre-dawn bath
Bali Pratipada Muggu — on the day after Diwali, women draw images of Bali Chakravarti (the generous demon king) outside the home in rangoli
Accounts worship (Chopda Puja) — business communities open new account books and worship them with Lakshmi on Diwali night
In coastal Andhra, banana-stalk torches (vagudeelu) are lit and carried in procession in some villages
Karthika Masam deepam — in Telangana, an oil lamp is kept burning throughout the month of Kartika; Diwali marks the start of this 30-day lamp tradition
Traditional Foods — పండుగ వంటలు
Bobbatlu (Puran Poli)
the quintessential Telugu Diwali sweet, made in bulk and shared
Laddu
sesame, motichur or rava laddus prepared for distribution
Kajjikayalu
deep-fried half-moon dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery
Murukku and Chakkilam
savoury fried snacks
Ariselu (Adhirasam)
deep-fried jaggery rice cakes
Dry fruit barfi
contemporary addition to the traditional sweets tray
Related Festivals
2026 Telugu Calendar
All festivals, Ekadashis, Pournami and auspicious dates