Diwali & Kali Puja in Guwahati 2026
Lamps, Kali Puja night and a city lit up for the festival week, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj.
Photo: RedPanda Travels, Diwali 2025
Diwali, Lakshmi Puja and Kali Puja all fall on Sunday 8 November. The festival week runs from Dhanteras (6 Nov) through Govardhan Puja (10 Nov) to Bhai Dooj, called Bhatri Dwitiya in Assam (11 Nov), which is also a holiday in Assam.
About the event
Diwali (also written Deepavali or Dipawali; দীপাৱলী in Assamese) falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. In Guwahati, as in Bengal, the same new-moon night is Kali Puja (কালী পূজা, also called Kali Pujo or Shyama Puja), so the city celebrates both at once: lamps and lights at home, Lakshmi Puja in the evening, and Kali Puja in temples and neighbourhood pandals that goes on until well after midnight.
The week starts with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November, when the markets are at their busiest, and ends with Bhai Dooj (Bhatri Dwitiya) on Wednesday 11 November. Kali temples such as Ugratara in Uzan Bazar draw crowds on Kali Puja night, and Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill is busy too.
Many people also use the holidays to get away: Shillong and Cherrapunji are a few hours up the hill, and Kaziranga reopened for the season on 3 October. Pickups in Maligaon are from 7 AM, festival days included; ask when you book if you need a late-night pickup or return.
Where to go for Kali Puja and Diwali
Kali Puja is celebrated at the city's Kali temples and in neighbourhood pandals, many of them close to our Maligaon pickup. Committees announce their plans in the days before the puja, so we add to this list as they do.
Kali temples
Ugratara Temple
Uzan Bazar
One of Guwahati's best-known Shakti temples, and among the busiest places in the city on Kali Puja night.
Kamakhya Temple
Nilachal Hill
Busy through the festival, with rituals that run late into the night. The hill road is slow on festival evenings, so go early.
Pandu and Maligaon
Tridhara Boys Kali Puja
4 No. Colony, Pandu
A railway-colony puja in Pandu, known for its large themed pandals. This year's theme hasn't been announced yet.
Basistha
Bibek Path Sarbojonin Kali Puja
Basistha Chariali
A community puja known for its decorated pandal. This year's theme hasn't been announced yet.
Diwali shopping
Fancy Bazar
Fancy Bazar, near the river
Guwahati's wholesale market, the place for lamps, lights and sweets in the days around Dhanteras. Very crowded in the evenings; park outside and walk in.
From local knowledge and past years' news. Plans can change; check locally on the day.
How to reach Guwahati
Nearest airport
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI), Guwahati
Nearest railway station
Guwahati Railway Station or Kamakhya Junction
Permits
No permit is needed for Indian tourists. Carry a valid photo ID.
Planning tips
- Kali Puja is a night festival: the main puja is around midnight on 8 November, so plan to be out late, and to get home late.
- The markets are packed in the evenings around Dhanteras (6 Nov) and Diwali. Go in the morning, or park a little way out and walk in.
- Expect slow traffic and closed lanes near the big pandals and temples on Kali Puja night.
- Planning a trip out over the holidays? Book your vehicle and your stay early: festival weekends fill up.
Get there your way
Drive yourself or let a local driver take you. Same regular pricing, no event surcharge.
Drive it yourself
A scooty is the easiest way around on Kali Puja night, when lanes near the pandals jam and parking is scarce. For a Diwali trip out of the city, take a bike or a car. You pick up in Maligaon from 7 AM, festival days included, and a late-night pickup or return can be arranged on request.
Suzuki Ertiga (7-Seater)
Car · 7 seats
₹2,799/day
Yamaha FZ-S FI V2
Bike · 2 seats
₹999/day
Honda SP 125
Bike · 2 seats
₹999/day
Bajaj Pulsar N160
Bike · 2 seats
₹1,199/day
Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid Street Rally
Scooter · 2 seats
₹799/day
TVS NTorq 150
Scooter · 2 seats
₹899/day
Royal Enfield Scram 440
Bike · 2 seats
₹1,999/day
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Bike · 2 seats
₹2,499/day
Hero XPulse 200 4V
Bike · 2 seats
₹1,499/day
Hero XPulse 210
Bike · 2 seats
₹1,699/day
Pickup and drop in Guwahati only.
Sit back, we'll drive
A driver suits families on a late Kali Puja night, and longer holiday trips to Shillong, Cherrapunji or Kaziranga without the driving.
5-Seater Sedan
1-4 passengers (driver included)
₹3,800/day onwards
7-Seater
1-6 passengers (driver included)
₹4,500/day onwards
Cab with driver from Guwahati: prices by state
Experienced local driver included. Final price depends on route and trip length.
Diwali & Kali Puja in Guwahati 2026: frequently asked questions
When is Diwali 2026 in Assam?
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday 8 November, with Lakshmi Puja that evening. Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November, Govardhan Puja on Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj (Bhatri Dwitiya) on Wednesday 11 November.
When is Kali Puja 2026 in Guwahati?
Kali Puja is on the night of Sunday 8 November 2026, the same new-moon night as Diwali. The main puja is held late at night, around midnight, in temples and pandals across the city.
Are Deepavali, Dipawali and দীপাৱলী the same as Diwali?
Yes. Diwali is also written Deepavali or Dipawali, and দীপাৱলী in Assamese. Kali Puja is also called Kali Pujo or Shyama Puja (কালী পূজা in Assamese). In Assam both fall on 8 November 2026.
Which days are holidays in Assam for Diwali 2026?
The Assam government's 2026 list has Kali Puja and Diwali on Sunday 8 November and Bhatri Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj) on Wednesday 11 November. Chhath Puja follows on Sunday 15 November.
Where can I see Kali Puja in Guwahati?
At the city's Kali temples, such as Ugratara Temple in Uzan Bazar, and at Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, as well as neighbourhood puja pandals, many of them in Pandu, Maligaon, Adabari and Fancy Bazar. The lists of pandals on this page grow as committees announce their plans.
Can I rent a scooty or bike in Guwahati for Diwali?
Yes. RedPanda Travels rents scooters, bikes and a self-drive car from Maligaon, with pickups from 7 AM on Diwali too. Need a late-night pickup or return on Kali Puja night? Ask when you book. Book early if you're planning a trip over the holidays.
Where can I go from Guwahati over the Diwali holidays?
Shillong is about 100 km up the hill and Cherrapunji about 150 km, both good for two or three days. Kaziranga, about 220 km east, reopened for safaris on 3 October. With more days, Majuli or Tawang. Our Diwali trips guide has a plan for each.
More events
View all events
Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2026
Pink Himalayan cherry blooms across Shillong, plus two days of international music.
Majuli Raas Mahotsav 2026
Three nights of Raas Leela on the world's largest river island, staged by the satras and villages of Majuli.
Hornbill Festival 2026
Ten days of Naga tribal culture, music and food — the Festival of Festivals.