This page gives you a Diwali essay 2026 in English in different lengths — a 100-word short essay, a 200-word essay, a 500-word long essay and 10 lines on Diwali — for school students of all classes. In 2026, Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday, 8 November, and the five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 11 November. Pick the length you need for your homework, class test or competition, and use these essays as a guide to write your own essay on Diwali, the festival of lights.
Diwali 2026 Date
| Day | Festival | Date (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dhanteras | Friday, 6 November |
| Day 2 | Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) | 7–8 November |
| Day 3 | Diwali – Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, 8 November |
| Day 4 | Govardhan Puja | Tuesday, 10 November |
| Day 5 | Bhai Dooj | Wednesday, 11 November |
Dates are as per the Drik Panchang calendar for India; local panchangs may differ by a day.
Diwali Essay in 100 Words (Short Essay)
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the festival of lights and one of the biggest festivals of India. It is celebrated on the new moon night (Amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartik. In 2026, Diwali falls on 8 November. The festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana. People clean and decorate their homes, light diyas, make rangoli and worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Families share sweets and gifts with friends and neighbours. Diwali teaches us that light always wins over darkness and good over evil.
Diwali Essay in 200 Words
Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated with great joy by people across India and around the world. The word Deepavali means “a row of lamps”. It falls on the Amavasya of the month of Kartik, which comes in October or November. In 2026, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November.
According to the Ramayana, the people of Ayodhya lit thousands of lamps to welcome Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana when they returned home after defeating Ravana. Since then, Diwali has been celebrated as the victory of good over evil. Jains celebrate it as the day Lord Mahavira attained nirvana, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day.
Preparations begin weeks in advance. People clean and paint their homes, buy new clothes and decorate their houses with lights, flowers and colourful rangoli. On Diwali night, families perform Lakshmi Puja to pray for wealth and happiness, and then light diyas and candles all around the house. Sweets like laddoos, barfi and kaju katli are shared with relatives and neighbours.
Today many people celebrate a green Diwali by avoiding loud crackers, which cause air and noise pollution. Diwali spreads the message of love, unity and hope, and reminds us to remove the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge.
Diwali Essay in 500 Words (Long Essay)
Introduction
India is a land of festivals, and Diwali is the most popular of them all. Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, and by people of every community who join in the joy. It falls on the Amavasya (new moon) of the month of Kartik. In 2026, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November, about three weeks after Dussehra.
History and Significance of Diwali
The most popular story behind Diwali comes from the Ramayana. Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and the defeat of the demon king Ravana. The joyful people of Ayodhya lit rows of earthen lamps to welcome them, and the tradition of lighting diyas continues to this day. In many parts of India, Diwali is also linked with Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. For Jains, it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, and for Sikhs it is Bandi Chhor Divas, the day Guru Hargobind Ji was released from prison. Diwali is also the beginning of the new financial year for many traders, who open new account books after Lakshmi Puja.
The Five Days of Diwali
Diwali is a five-day festival. It begins with Dhanteras, when people buy gold, silver or new utensils. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali. The third and main day is Lakshmi Puja, when Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped in the evening. The fourth day is Govardhan Puja, which remembers Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill, and the festival ends with Bhai Dooj, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
How Diwali is Celebrated
People start preparing for Diwali many days in advance. Homes, shops and offices are cleaned and decorated, because it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits clean and bright homes. Doorways are decorated with rangoli, flowers and torans. People wear new clothes, prepare sweets and snacks, and exchange gifts. On the night of Diwali, every house glows with diyas, candles and electric lights, and the whole sky looks beautiful. Schools also celebrate Diwali with rangoli and diya-making competitions.
Celebrating a Safe and Green Diwali
Bursting crackers has been a part of Diwali for a long time, but crackers cause air pollution, noise pollution and accidents. They also frighten animals and birds and harm the elderly and people with breathing problems. As responsible students, we should celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali by lighting diyas, using less electricity, avoiding plastic decorations and sharing sweets with the needy.
Conclusion
Diwali is not just a festival of lights; it is a festival of happiness, togetherness and hope. It teaches us that truth and goodness always win in the end. Let us celebrate Diwali 2026 by spreading love, helping others and keeping our surroundings clean and safe.
10 Lines on Diwali in English
- Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the festival of lights.
- It is celebrated on the Amavasya of the Hindu month of Kartik.
- In 2026, Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November.
- Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
- It celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
- People clean and decorate their homes with diyas, lights and rangoli.
- Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on Diwali night.
- Families share sweets and gifts with friends and neighbours.
- Diwali is a five-day festival from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj.
- We should celebrate a safe and green Diwali without polluting crackers.
दिवाली पर निबंध (Diwali Essay in Hindi)
Hindi medium students can read the Diwali essay, poems, wishes and more in Hindi on AglaSem Hindi.
- दिवाली पर निबंध
- दिवाली 2026 – लक्ष्मी पूजा मुहूर्त व तिथि
- दिवाली पर कविता
- दिवाली की शुभकामनाएँ
- पटाखे बिना दिवाली कैसे मनाएँ
- भाई दूज पर निबंध
More Festival Essays for Students
- Durga Puja Essay 2026
- Dussehra Essay 2026
- Children’s Day Essay & Speech 2026
- Christmas Essay 2026
- New Year Essay
- Holi Essay
- Independence Day Essay
- Teachers’ Day Speech
Diwali Essay – FAQs
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The five-day festival begins with Dhanteras on 6 November and ends with Bhai Dooj on 11 November 2026.
Why is Diwali called the festival of lights?
On Diwali people light rows of diyas, candles and lamps in and around their homes. The word Deepavali itself means “a row of lamps”, which is why it is called the festival of lights.
Why do we celebrate Diwali?
Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, and the victory of good over evil. It is also linked with Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Krishna, Lord Mahavira and Guru Hargobind Ji.
How do I write an essay on Diwali?
Start with an introduction (what Diwali is and its 2026 date), then write about its history, the five days, how it is celebrated and the message of a green Diwali, and end with a short conclusion. Use the 100, 200 and 500-word essays above as a guide.