What is Dipavali and Dipa Dana?
Dipavali, also written Diwali or Deepabali, is the festival of lamps. Dipa dana means the offering of lamps. In 2026 it falls on Monday, 9 November.
Significance
Srila Prabhupada explained that the people of Ayodhya observed this ceremony with lamps while Lord Ramacandra was away for fourteen years of banishment ordered by His father, Maharaja Dasaratha. The devotee Bharata took charge of the kingdom, and the day Lord Ramacandra took it back and sat on the throne is observed as Diwali. Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter to Hamsaduta Dasa how devotees can keep the festival today:
Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100's of candles, in different parts of the temple, and offering special Prasad to the Deity.
Letter to Hamsaduta, Seattle, 10 October 1968
How to observe it
Light lamps or candles around your home altar, offer them to the Lord, and offer a special prasadam to the Deity. This is dipa dana, giving light to the Lord. Srila Prabhupada added that the prasadam can be distributed the next day, which is Govardhana Puja and Annakuta, so the festival continues into Tuesday, 10 November.
Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali, also called Dipavali, is on Monday, 9 November 2026. Govardhana Puja follows on Tuesday, 10 November.
Why do devotees celebrate Diwali?
Srila Prabhupada explained that Diwali marks the day Lord Ramacandra took back His kingdom after fourteen years of banishment, and that the people of Ayodhya observed the ceremony with lamps.
What is dipa dana?
Dipa dana means the offering of lamps. Devotees light lamps or candles and offer them to the Lord at this time.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Monday, 9 November 2026
- Remembers
- Lord Ramacandra's return to Ayodhya
- Offered
- Lamps and a special prasadam
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.