1 · The short answer

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, falls on Sunday 8 November 2026 on the Government of India holiday list. It is also marked by Sikhs as Bandi Chhor Divas and by Jains, and the celebrations spread over about five days, so expect the busiest stretch from roughly 6 to 11 November.

For a traveller the phone matters more than usual that week: trains and flights sell out, taxis surge, and city centres fill with families shopping and visiting relatives. Book long distance tickets early, keep them offline, and have a data plan that works from the moment you land.

Ringo Light covers the whole of India on one eSIM with unlimited data at full speed. It arrives by email, installs in one scan and needs no app, so you can set it up before the flight and land connected.

Dates: Diwali (Deepavali) is on Sunday 8 November 2026 on the central government holiday list. The festival runs over about five days, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj. Organiser's page

Ringo Light's India plan covers the whole of India: unlimited data at full speed, 2 weeks for $21.99 or 30 days for $36.99, nothing renews. The plan is at ringoesim.com/india, and every brand's price for Delhi is compared on one day in Best eSIM for Delhi.

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2 · What happens over the five days

The festival usually opens with Dhanteras, a day for buying metal goods and gold, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi, then the main night of Lakshmi Puja when homes, shops and temples are lit with clay lamps (diyas) and strings of lights. Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, a day for brothers and sisters, close the week. Customs differ by region and community, so what you see in Kolkata (where Kali Puja falls the same night) is not what you see in Jaipur or Amritsar.

Diwali is a family and religious festival first. Visitors are welcome in markets and at public celebrations; at temples and gurdwaras, dress modestly, remove shoes where asked and follow the lead of the people around you.

3 · Crowds and mobile signal

The pressure points are the old markets in the evenings before the main night (Chandni Chowk in Delhi, Johari Bazaar in Jaipur, Crawford Market in Mumbai) and temple and ghat areas on the night itself. Thousands of phones on the same cells slow data down: load maps and tickets before you go in, and send photos and video once you are back at the hotel.

Firecrackers are restricted in Delhi and some other cities because air quality in North India is often poor in early November. Check the local rules and the air quality index, and keep your plans flexible on bad days.

4 · Trains, flights and getting around

  • ✓Trains: Diwali is one of the peak travel weeks on Indian Railways as people go home. Book on the IRCTC site or app as early as you can, and keep the e-ticket as a screenshot or PDF.
  • ✓Flights: Domestic fares rise around the festival. Download boarding passes in advance; airport queues are long.
  • ✓Taxis: Uber and Ola work in all big cities, Rapido for bikes and autos. Expect surge pricing on the main night and long waits after fireworks.
  • ✓Metro: Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru metros are the fastest way across town in festival traffic. Check the operator for changed hours on the day.

5 · Apps and payments that help

  • ✓Maps offline: Download the city in Google Maps before you arrive; old city lanes are dense and signal drops in narrow streets.
  • ✓Payments: UPI QR codes are everywhere, but most need an Indian bank account. Carry some cash for small stalls and use a card where accepted.
  • ✓Food: Zomato and Swiggy deliver in most cities, though many small restaurants close on the main night.
  • ✓Messages: WhatsApp is how hotels, drivers and guides communicate in India. Have data on before you land.

6 · Which plan covers the trip

If Diwali is part of a trip around India, the Ringo Light plan for India covers every state on one eSIM with unlimited data at full speed. If you are continuing to Sri Lanka or further afield, the Global plan covers India together with the other countries on your route.

7 · Where to see Diwali

Every Indian city celebrates, but these places are known for how they light up.

Varanasi ghats, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar PradeshVaranasi ghatsThe ghats glow with lamps on Diwali, and about two weeks later Dev Deepawali on the Kartik full moon lines the whole riverfront with diyas.✓Boat trips at dusk get busy; book through your guesthouse and agree the price before boarding.Photo: travelwayoflife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Jaipur, Rajasthan
RajasthanJaipurThe old city markets are strung with lights and judged for their decorations. Amber Fort is a calm daytime outing before the evening crowds.✓Walk the bazaars rather than drive; traffic stops completely in the evening.Photo: Rijin S, CC BY-SA 4.0
Udaipur, Rajasthan
RajasthanUdaipurLake palaces and havelis lit up over the water make Udaipur one of the most photogenic places to spend the festival.✓Lake view rooms sell out early for the Diwali week.Photo: Kshitiz Sikka, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mumbai, Maharashtra
MaharashtraMumbaiShops and apartment blocks are decorated across the city; Marine Drive and the Gateway of India area fill up in the evenings.✓Local trains are packed before the festival; travel outside rush hours.Photo: SriSriChinmaya, CC BY-SA 4.0

8 · Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali in 2026?+
The main day of Diwali is Sunday 8 November 2026 on the Government of India holiday list. The festival spans about five days around that date.
Will mobile data be slow during Diwali?+
In crowded markets and at temples on the main evening, yes, data can slow down as thousands of phones share the same cells. Download tickets and maps beforehand and upload photos later.
Can I use UPI as a tourist?+
Most UPI apps need an Indian bank account and phone number. Carry cash and a card; some airports and banks provide prepaid options for visitors, but do not rely on them.
Is it hard to travel by train at Diwali?+
It is one of the busiest weeks of the year on Indian Railways. Book as early as possible on IRCTC and keep the e-ticket offline.
Do I need an app to use Ringo Light?+
No. The eSIM arrives by email and installs in one scan with your phone camera.

9 · Sources

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