Gujarat Diwali 2026 and Maharashtra Diwali 2026: Dates, Traditions, Food and Travel
Gujarat Diwali 2026 and Maharashtra Diwali 2026 guide: dates, Gujarati New Year, Diwali Padwa, Bhaubeej, Faral, food, traditions and city highlights explained.
Gujarat Diwali 2026 and Maharashtra Diwali 2026: Dates, Traditions, Food and Travel
Quick answer: Gujarat Diwali 2026 and Maharashtra Diwali 2026 both fall on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The two neighbouring states share the date but not the customs. Gujarat closes its account books and starts a new year after Diwali, while Maharashtra begins with a pre-dawn oil bath and ends with Bhaubeej. This short guide gives the dates, traditions, food and city highlights for both.
Diwali 2026 Dates in Gujarat and Maharashtra
| Date (2026) | Gujarat | Maharashtra |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, 5 Nov | Vagh Baras | Vasu Baras |
| Fri, 6 Nov | Dhanteras | Dhantrayodashi |
| Sat, 7 Nov | Kali Chaudas | Narak Chaturdashi (Abhyanga Snan) |
| Sun, 8 Nov | Diwali, Chopda Pujan | Lakshmi Pujan |
| Mon, 9 Nov | Gap day | Gap day |
| Tue, 10 Nov | Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year) | Diwali Padwa (Bali Pratipada) |
| Wed, 11 Nov | Bhai Beej | Bhaubeej |
| Sat, 14 Nov | Labh Pancham | - |
Dates follow the tithi at sunrise in India. Puja muhurat differs by city, so check a local panchang before the day.
Diwali in Gujarat: Traditions and Culture
Diwali in Gujarat is closely tied to trade. Gujarati Diwali traditions are built around closing one business year and opening the next.
- Vagh Baras: the festival opens with the worship of cows and calves.
- Chopda Pujan: on Diwali evening traders worship new account books along with Goddess Lakshmi.
- Gujarati New Year: Bestu Varas on 10 November begins Vikram Samvat 2083. People visit temples and elders and greet each other with "Saal Mubarak". This day is the Diwali Padwa of Gujarat.
- Labh Pancham: shops and offices traditionally reopen on this day.
Rangoli at the doorstep, rows of diyas and family visits complete Gujarat Diwali culture. A Gujarati Diwali is therefore both a religious festival and a new financial start.
Gujarat Diwali Food
Gujarat Diwali food is made at home days in advance. Common items are mathiya, chorafali, ghughra, farsi puri, mohanthal and sukhdi.
Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara
- Ahmedabad Diwali: the old city markets and the lanes around Manek Chowk are busy with shoppers till late evening.
- Surat Diwali: the textile and diamond markets shut for the Diwali vacation, and many units reopen around Labh Pancham.
- Vadodara Diwali: the Mandvi market area is the main place for festive shopping.
Diwali travel Gujarat tip: many shops and local eateries stay closed from Bestu Varas to Labh Pancham, so book hotels with meals and confirm opening days of the places you plan to see.
Diwali in Maharashtra: Traditions and Faral
Diwali in Maharashtra starts with Vasu Baras and runs till Bhaubeej. Marathi Diwali, also written as Marathi Deepavali, is known for its early-morning rituals.
- Abhyanga Snan: on Narak Chaturdashi the family bathes before sunrise after applying oil and utane, a fragrant herbal paste.
- Akash kandil and killa: a paper lantern hangs outside the house, and children build small mud forts.
- Lakshmi Pujan: performed at home and in shops on the evening of 8 November.
- Diwali Padwa: on 10 November the wife performs aukshan of her husband, and he gives her a gift.
- Bhaubeej: on 11 November sisters perform aukshan of their brothers and pray for their long life.
These Maharashtra Diwali traditions are followed in almost the same order in cities and villages.
Diwali Faral: Marathi Diwali Food
Diwali Faral is the plate of home-made snacks and sweets shared with every guest. Typical Marathi Diwali food includes chakli, chivda, karanji, shankarpali, besan ladoo and anarsa.
Mumbai, Pune and Nashik
- Mumbai Diwali: Dadar market for kandil, diyas and faral, and the lights along Marine Drive in the evening.
- Pune Diwali: known for Diwali Pahat, early-morning music concerts held across the city.
- Nashik Diwali: diyas and a holy dip at Ramkund on the Godavari, with a visit to the Kalaram Temple.
Gujarat vs Maharashtra Diwali at a Glance
| Point | Gujarat | Maharashtra |
|---|---|---|
| First day | Vagh Baras | Vasu Baras |
| Signature ritual | Chopda Pujan | Abhyanga Snan |
| Day after the gap | New Year (Bestu Varas) | Padwa |
| Festive plate | Mathiya, ghughra, mohanthal | Faral: chakli, karanji, ladoo |
Plan Your Trip With Your Travel Partner
Your Travel Partner is based in Ayodhya and arranges cabs and tour packages across India, including Gujarat and Maharashtra. The plan, inclusions and price are shared in writing before you book. See our tour packages and cab service, or call +91 78811 55800. For the full festival calendar read Diwali 2026 and best places to celebrate Diwali.
FAQs
1. When is Diwali in Gujarat and Maharashtra in 2026?
In both states Diwali is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Dhanteras is on 6 November and Bhai Beej or Bhaubeej is on 11 November.
2. When is Gujarati New Year 2026?
Gujarati New Year, called Bestu Varas, is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. It begins Vikram Samvat 2083.
3. What is Diwali Padwa?
Diwali Padwa is Kartik Shukla Pratipada, on 10 November 2026. Maharashtra observes it as Bali Pratipada, and Gujarat as its New Year.
4. What is Diwali Faral?
Diwali Faral is the set of Marathi snacks and sweets such as chakli, chivda, karanji and ladoo that families prepare and share during the festival.
5. Are markets open in Gujarat after Diwali?
Many shops stay closed from Bestu Varas until Labh Pancham, which is on 14 November 2026. Tourists should confirm timings in advance.
Conclusion
Gujarat Diwali 2026 is about new account books and a new year, and Maharashtra Diwali 2026 is about the dawn bath, faral and family aukshan. Both run from 5 to 11 November, so one trip can cover either state comfortably if you book early.
