Diwali Padwa 2026 in Maharashtra: Date, Aukshan Timing and Traditions

Last updated: 3 November 2026

Diwali Padwa 2026: date and timings

The Pratipada tithi spans two days (9 afternoon to 10 afternoon), which is why calendars differ. For Nashik, Drik Panchang places Govardhan Puja and Bali Pratipada on Monday, 9 November. If your family follows a printed Marathi calendar or a priest’s advice that uses 10 November, follow that.

What is Diwali Padwa?

Padwa comes from pratipada, the first day of the bright fortnight, here the first day of Kartik after the Lakshmi Puja Amavasya. In Maharashtra it is the fourth day of Diwali and is called Diwali Padwa or Bali Pratipada. It is celebrated mainly in Maharashtra and western India and, in some places, is also the start of the new business year. In Gujarat the New Year (Bestu Varas) begins on this day.

Bali Pratipada: the story of King Bali

Bali (also Mahabali) was a generous king of the asuras and the grandson of Prahlada. His rule made the three worlds prosperous, and the gods feared his power. Lord Vishnu took the form of the dwarf Brahmin Vamana and asked the king for three paces of land. Bali agreed. Vamana grew to a cosmic size, covered the earth and the sky with two paces and, as there was no place for the third, Bali offered his own head. Pleased by his humility, Vishnu sent him to Patala and granted a boon: Bali may return once a year to see his people.

Padwa remembers that visit. In Maharashtra families draw an image of Bali in five-colour rangoli and worship it, and recite the wish “Ida pida talo, Baliche rajya yevo” — “may sorrows go away and Bali’s righteous rule return”.

Why Padwa is an auspicious day

Padwa is counted among the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar, often described as the “half” in the traditional saade teen muhurat (three and a half auspicious days) — a day on which any new beginning needs no separate muhurat. People buy gold, start a new business year or ledger, and begin new ventures. Married couples mark the day with aukshan and gifts.

What is aukshan? (not an auction)

Aukshan (औक्षण), sometimes called ovalne, is a traditional Marathi ritual in which a lit diya on a thali is gently circled in front of a person’s face as a blessing for long life and well-being. It is not an auction. On Diwali Padwa the wife performs aukshan for her husband and he gives her a gift; on Bhau Beej the sister does it for her brother. Many modern couples perform it for each other.

Aukshan thali samagri (items)

• A thali (brass or silver) with a small lit diya (niranjan) or a lamp with ghee
• Kumkum (roli) and turmeric for the tilak
• Akshata (unbroken rice)
• A betel leaf with supari, and a sweet such as ladoo or peda
• Fresh flowers or a small garland
• A coin or a gift for the person receiving the aukshan
• A low seat (pat) and a rangoli in front of it

Aukshan vidhi: step by step

1. Prepare. Bathe and wear new or traditional clothes. Many Maharashtrian couples choose a Nauvari saree and a kurta with a phetaa or cap.
2. Seat the husband on a pat in front of a rangoli, facing the east if possible.
3. Apply the tilak. The wife applies kumkum and a few grains of akshata on his forehead.
4. Do the aarti. She circles the lit diya in front of his face clockwise, usually three times, and chants a blessing.
5. Offer a sweet and a few grains of rice as a blessing for long life and well-being.
6. Exchange the gift. The husband gives her a gift and takes her blessing as well.
7. Touch the elders’ feet and share the faral with the family.

The timing of aukshan

The Padwa tithi is known, but no separately certified aukshan muhurat has been published. Families do aukshan on Padwa morning after the bath or in the evening, according to their own custom. Tip: many families simply do the aukshan at a convenient time while the Pratipada tithi is in force — in Nashik, from 12:31 PM on 9 November to 2:00 PM on 10 November. Ask your family priest or consult a printed Marathi panchang.

Padwa gift ideas for a husband or wife

• Under ₹500: a handwritten note, a plant, a small silver coin or a book
• ₹500–₹2,000: a shirt or kurta, a watch strap, a scarf, dry-fruit gift box or a cosmetics set
• ₹2,000–₹10,000: a saree (Paithani or a silk), jewellery, a wallet or a pair of footwear
• Meaningful and free: time, a day out together or a promise kept

The value of the gift is less important than the intent. Many families keep to a simple, thoughtful gift and avoid pressure to spend.

How Maharashtra celebrates Padwa

• Morning: a bath, new clothes and a visit to the temple; some families begin the day with an oil bath.
• Aukshan and gifts for the husband and wife; many families also meet relatives.
• Rangoli and the worship of Bali with five-colour rangoli in some homes.
• Traders begin a new year of accounts; gold buying is popular.
• Faral and a festive family lunch.
• Deepotsav in the evening with diyas, lights and sometimes fireworks.

Diwali Padwa in Nashik

The timings on this page are for Nashik. In the evening many families light diyas along the courtyard and entrance; if you are going out to see the lights around Panchavati and the Godavari ghats, remember that Diwali falls in the first weeks of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela and crowds are larger than usual. Plan transport and parking early.

Related Diwali guides

Read the Diwali 2026 calendar and the Lakshmi Puja 2026 guide for the day before. Bhau Beej is on Wednesday, 11 November, with the afternoon (Aparahna) window of 1:26 PM to 3:41 PM in Nashik (Drik Panchang).