Diwali is not one day, it is five. Families shop, cook, light diyas, sit for pujas and visit relatives across almost a week, and nobody wants to wear the same kurta through all of it. The good news is that you do not need five kurtas. Two or three, chosen well, carry you through, and this is how we suggest dividing them.
A note first: the days follow the panchang, and in some years two of them merge. In most years, Dhanteras falls two days before Diwali, Choti Diwali the day before, Govardhan Puja the day after and Bhai Dooj two days after. Diwali itself is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Check your family's calendar for the exact order.
Dhanteras: neat, new and easy to walk in
Dhanteras is the day families buy something for the house: a utensil, a coin, sometimes a vehicle. Most of the day goes in markets, and the evening ends with a small puja. Wear something clean, comfortable and not precious, in a soft colour that looks good in daylight. The Powder Blue Plain, ₹1,900, is the kind of kurta we suggest: calm, easy and ready for a crowded street. Many families also put on a new kurta this evening, so if you have bought one for Diwali, this is not too early to start.
Choti Diwali: the preparing day
The day before Diwali belongs to the house: cleaning, rangoli, lights on the balcony, a morning bath and a quick visit to a relative. Nothing here is formal. A print or a stripe is perfectly fine, and the Mint Paisley Print or the Golden Marigold Self-Stripe, both ₹1,900, are cheerful without being dressy. If you are the one setting out the diyas, wear the kurta you do not mind getting a drop of oil on. Our guide to Diwali stains helps if it happens anyway.
Diwali: the day that gets photographed
This is the day for the new kurta, and the day the family photograph is taken. Think of it in two parts. For the morning and early afternoon, wear something soft, such as the Blush Pink Solid, ₹1,850. For the Lakshmi puja in the evening, move to a deeper colour that looks rich by lamplight: the Navy Blue Solid, ₹1,950, or the Royal Blue Solid, ₹1,850. If you want to dress up, the Mustard Gold Scroll-Panel, ₹3,999, sits beautifully beside the diyas. For the puja itself, read what to wear to the Diwali puja at home.
Govardhan Puja: the visiting day
The day after Diwali is for family visits and, in many homes, a large vegetarian meal offered at the puja and then shared. You will be sitting on the floor and in and out of cars, so choose an easy fit and a pattern that forgives a spill. A check or a stripe is the safest pick, such as the Green Yellow Checkerboard, ₹1,900.
Bhai Dooj: the brother's day
On Bhai Dooj, sisters apply tilak to their brothers, and brothers bring gifts. Brothers usually dress well, because there are photographs and a lot of relatives. A smart kurta in a confident colour works. If you are a sister choosing the gift, our guide to a Bhai Dooj kurta gift shows how to pick one. The Sky Blue Chikankari-Style, ₹3,499, is a gift that looks like it took thought.
The two or three kurta plan
If you want to buy as little as possible, buy a soft colour, a deep colour and one with a print or a stripe. Wear the soft one on Dhanteras and the Diwali morning, the deep one for the Diwali evening and Bhai Dooj, and the printed one for the days in between. Keep one white or off-white pajama for all of them, and send the first one to the wash while you wear the second.
Online, sizes run 38 to 44, and every product page lists the real chest, length, shoulder and sleeve. Both our shops also carry plus sizes up to 6XL and kurtas for boys and babies, coming online soon, so the whole family can dress for the same five days. See the Diwali at Home collection or message us on WhatsApp.
Questions we hear at the counter
Do I need a new kurta for every day of Diwali?
No. Two or three are enough. Many families buy one new kurta for the Diwali evening and rotate older ones through the other days.
Which day is the new kurta for?
Most families wear the new kurta on the evening of Diwali itself, for the Lakshmi puja and the family photograph.
Can I wear the same pajama all five days?
Yes. A white or off-white pajama goes with every colour. Keep a second pair so one is always clean.
What should I wear on Govardhan Puja?
Something easy that you can sit on the floor in, in a check or stripe. It is a day of meals and visits, so avoid anything delicate.
Will an order reach me before Diwali?
Orders are packed at our Rajouri Garden shop. Message us on WhatsApp with your pin code and we will confirm the delivery date before you order.
Also see: puja kurtas and Diwali party kurtas.