Diwali 2026 in Haridwar and Rishikesh: The Ghats, the Aarti and Where to Stay

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, with Lakshmi Puja that evening. Spending it on the Ganga is a different Diwali from the one at home: lamps floated on the river at dusk, the evening aarti with the ghats lit end to end, temple bells, and the bazaars full of diyas and sweets. Haridwar and Rishikesh, an hour apart, are the two easiest places in Uttarakhand to do it, and both fill up for the long weekend, so it pays to plan now.

The five days of Diwali 2026

Panchangs differ by a day for Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj this year, so check your family's calendar for the exact puja timings.

Diwali in Haridwar

Har Ki Pauri is the centre of it. On Diwali evening the steps of Brahma Kund and the ghats on either side are lit with diyas, families float leaf boats of lamps and flowers on the current, and the evening Ganga Aarti draws one of its largest crowds of the year. Arrive at least an hour before sunset for a place on the steps, or watch from the bridges and the far bank, which are easier with children and elders. Our Ganga Aarti guide explains where to stand.

In the days before, Moti Bazaar and Bara Bazaar near Har Ki Pauri are the place for clay diyas, brass lamps, puja samagri and sweets. Many visitors also take darshan at Mansa Devi or Chandi Devi on Dhanteras or Diwali morning; go early, as the ropeway queues are long on festival days. See our list of places to visit in Haridwar for the rest of the town.

Diwali in Rishikesh

Rishikesh keeps a calmer Diwali. The evening aartis at Triveni Ghat and at Parmarth Niketan go ahead with lamps on the river, the ashrams light their courtyards, and the lanes around Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula glow with diyas and fairy lights. It suits travellers who want the ritual without Haridwar's crush, and those combining the festival with yoga, a walk to Neelkanth or a day by the river. Our Rishikesh guide covers the aartis, bridges and ghats.

Crowds, traffic and safety

• Diwali falls on a Sunday this year, so expect the Delhi-Haridwar highway to be busy from Friday evening and again on Sunday night and Monday.
• Vehicles are usually stopped some distance from Har Ki Pauri on festival evenings: walk the last stretch, and leave the car at your hotel if you can.
• Keep children close on the ghat steps and never go beyond the chains in the water.
• Floating lamps are part of the ritual; keep plastic and foil out of the river.
• Late-evening temperatures in early November are around 12 to 15°C, so carry a light shawl or jacket.

Diwali and the Char Dham

Diwali comes just before the Char Dham temples close for winter: Gangotri on Annakut, and Kedarnath and Yamunotri on Bhai Dooj, with Badrinath a few days later. Some pilgrims spend Diwali in Haridwar or Rishikesh and drive up for the closing ceremonies. Check the Char Dham closing dates before you plan it, and remember that nights in the high valleys are already below freezing.

Where to stay for Diwali

For the aarti and the lamps, stay within walking distance of Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, or near Triveni Ghat, Ram Jhula or Tapovan in Rishikesh. Rooms near the ghats fill first for the festival weekend, so book early. Compare verified stays with real photos on our hotels in Haridwar and hotels in Rishikesh pages, or read our guide to staying near Har Ki Pauri. If you are staying on, Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali follow on 24 November; see our Kartik Purnima guide.