How Rajasthan Celebrates Diwali: Traditions, Sweets and Festive Food 2026

Rajasthan celebrates Diwali with rows of clay lamps, brightly lit bazaars, rangoli and mandana art at the doorstep, Lakshmi Puja at dusk, new account books for traders, a Govardhan Puja and Annakut feast the next day, and plenty of sweets shared between families. Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, so there is still time to experience it in Jaipur.

This guide explains each tradition, the sweets and festive food Rajasthan is known for, and how to enjoy a Rajasthani feast in Jaipur during the festival. Customs differ from family to family and from one region to another, so treat this as a general guide.

Diwali 2026 in Rajasthan: The Dates

Main Diwali, the day of Lakshmi Puja, is on Sunday, 8 November 2026, and Govardhan Puja is on Monday, 9 November. Diwali is a five-day festival that starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening at dusk, and the exact muhurat changes by city, so check a local panchang for Jaipur before you plan your day.

1. Lamps, Lights and Illuminated Bazaars

Diwali is the festival of lights, and Rajasthan celebrates it with earthen lamps and strings of lights on houses, shops and buildings. In Jaipur the old city markets are decorated for the occasion, and press photos regularly show Johari Bazar illuminated for Diwali, with homes and buildings decked with lights, flowers and rangoli.

The weeks before Diwali are a busy shopping season for lamps, decorations, clothes, gifts and sweets. Jaipur is a UNESCO World Heritage city, and its bazaars look their best in the evening. For more night-time ideas, see our list of things to do in Jaipur at night.

2. Rangoli and Mandana at the Doorstep

Before the evening puja, families draw rangoli at the entrance to welcome guests and the goddess Lakshmi. In Rajasthan this often takes the form of mandana, a folk floor and wall art drawn in white, traditionally on a red-ochre or clay base. Women in many villages renew mandana designs on floors and doorways for the festival.

Designs vary, but the idea is the same everywhere: a clean, decorated, welcoming home.

3. Lakshmi Puja in the Evening

The heart of Diwali is Lakshmi Puja, held at dusk on the main day. Families clean and decorate their homes, light lamps, worship Goddess Lakshmi (often together with Lord Ganesha) and offer sweets, which are then shared with family and guests. Visiting relatives and exchanging gifts and sweets continue through the festival week.

4. A New Year for Business: Chopda and Bahi-Khata Puja

For many trading communities, including Marwari families whose roots lie in Rajasthan, Diwali marks the start of the business year. Traders worship their new account books, known as chopda or bahi-khata, and pray for prosperity in the year ahead. It is one of the reasons Diwali has long been considered the most important festival for merchants.

5. Govardhan Puja and Annakut

The day after Diwali is Govardhan Puja, dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is widely observed across Rajasthan, which has strong Krishna-bhakti traditions, and is often marked by Annakut, an offering of a large, generous spread of food. In 2026, Govardhan Puja falls on Monday, 9 November.

The Sweets of a Rajasthani Diwali

Rajasthani kitchens prepare sweets and snacks for days before Diwali, and the recipes differ between Marwar, Mewar, Shekhawati and Hadoti. Rajasthani mithai is rich, ghee-heavy and made to be shared. These are some of the best known.

•       Churma ladoo: Crushed wheat dough cooked in ghee and sweetened with jaggery or sugar, shaped into ladoos. It is a classic at festivals and pujas and travels well.

•       Mawa kachori: A sweet version of the kachori stuffed with mawa (khoya) and often dry fruits, soaked in sugar syrup. Rajasthani cuisine lists it as a regional speciality, and Jodhpur is especially known for it.

•       Balushahi: A flaky, doughnut-like sweet glazed in sugar syrup, and a favourite in Rajasthani sweet shops.

•       Mohanthal: A dense, ghee-rich gram flour fudge, popular as a festive gift.

•       Malpua with rabri: Soft fried pancakes served with creamy rabri. Pushkar is known for its malpua.

•       Moong dal halwa: A slow-roasted, ghee-rich dessert often served on festive and wedding menus.

•       Gujiya: A stuffed pastry traditionally prepared during celebrations.

What about ghevar? Ghevar is the most famous Rajasthani sweet, but it is traditionally linked with Teej and Raksha Bandhan and the Shravan season rather than Diwali itself. You may still find it in sweet shops and on festive menus at certain times of the year.

What a Rajasthani Festive Meal Looks Like

A festive Rajasthani meal is built around dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, kadhi, bajra roti with lehsun chutney, papad, pickles, chaas and a sweet to finish. The food is cooked in ghee and served with a generous hand, in line with the guest-first idea of Atithi Devo Bhava. You can read more about the cuisine in our guides to traditional vegetarian Rajasthani food and the taste of royal Rajasthan.

New to the cuisine? Start with our list of the top 10 must-try Rajasthani dishes in Jaipur, our guide to dal baati churma and the Rajasthani thali in Jaipur.

Taste a Rajasthani Festive Feast at Virasat

If you are in Jaipur for Diwali and want to taste this food in one sitting, Virasat Heritage Restaurant on Delhi Road, Kukas serves an unlimited, 100% pure vegetarian Sampoorna Rajasthani Thali in brass. It includes dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, kadhi, breads, chaas and sweets such as churma, moong dal halwa or malpua, and seasonal ghevar. Items and availability change with the season, so please check the menu and ask when you book.

Your evening starts with a royal welcome of tilak, a garland and Padharo Mhare Des, followed by dinner in a darbar hall with live folk music and dance. Learn about the customs in our guides to royal hospitality in India and the culture of Rajasthan.

Planning your own festive dinner? See our guides to a Diwali dinner in Jaipur and a Diwali family get-together in Jaipur. Virasat is open from 11 AM to 11 PM on regular days, so please call to confirm festival-day timings.

Tips for Experiencing Diwali in Jaipur

•       Visit the bazaars in the evening. The lights are at their best after dusk, but the markets are crowded, so allow extra time.

•       Check the puja time. Lakshmi Puja is held at dusk, and the muhurat varies, so check a local panchang.

•       Try regional sweets. Look for sweet shops that make mawa kachori, balushahi and churma ladoo fresh.

•       Respect family time. Diwali night is a home festival for many families, so plan restaurant visits and sightseeing around it.

•       Book dinner early. Diwali 2026 falls on a Sunday, so reserve your table well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Diwali celebrated in Rajasthan? 

With earthen lamps and lights, rangoli and mandana at the doorstep, Lakshmi Puja at dusk, new account books for traders, Govardhan Puja and Annakut the next day, and the sharing of sweets and gifts.

When is Diwali in 2026? 

Sunday, 8 November 2026, with Govardhan Puja on Monday, 9 November.

What is mandana? 

Mandana is a folk floor and wall art of Rajasthan, drawn in white on a red-ochre or clay base, and often renewed for festivals such as Diwali.

Which sweets are popular for Diwali in Rajasthan? 

Churma ladoo, mawa kachori, balushahi, mohanthal, malpua and moong dal halwa are all well loved, and recipes differ by region and family.

Is ghevar a Diwali sweet? 

Ghevar is traditionally associated with Teej and Raksha Bandhan rather than Diwali, though it is popular across Rajasthan during the festive seasons.

What is Govardhan Puja? 

It is observed the day after Diwali and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Many families mark it with Annakut, an offering of a large spread of food.

Where can I eat a Rajasthani festive meal in Jaipur? 

Virasat Heritage Restaurant in Kukas serves an unlimited pure vegetarian Rajasthani thali with live folk music and dance. Please call to confirm festival-day timings.

Is Rajasthani food vegetarian? 

A large part of it is, and Virasat is 100% pure vegetarian, with a Jain thali available on request.

Conclusion

Diwali in Rajasthan is a mix of light, family, devotion and food. You can see the lamps and bazaars in Jaipur, learn about mandana and chopda puja, taste regional sweets and sit down to a generous Rajasthani feast.

Plan your festive evening. Reserve your table at Virasat or call +91 95877 77817, and taste Rajasthan's festive flavours this Diwali.