Diwali in Charlotte: Where to Eat and What to Order

The main day of Diwali 2026, Lakshmi Puja, is Sunday, November 8, with the five-day festival running from November 6 through 10. Because dates are calculated from the lunar calendar in Indian time, some US temples observe on a slightly different day, so check locally for your community's exact date.

Sweets are central, kaju katli, gulab jamun, laddoo, barfi and jalebi, often exchanged in gift boxes. Savory snacks called namkeen are made for visitors. The main family meal is generous and, in many households, vegetarian.

Often. Many Hindu families avoid meat during Diwali and some also avoid onion and garlic on particular days, though practice varies widely. When catering a Diwali gathering, it's safest to lead with vegetarian dishes.

The Nepali five-day festival that shares its days with Diwali. Each day honors something different, crows, dogs, cows and the goddess Laxmi, oxen and the self, and finally the bond between siblings. The traditional festival food is sel roti, a ring of sweetened fried rice-flour batter.

The second day of Tihar, when dogs are honored. They're garlanded with marigolds, given a red tika on the forehead, and fed a special meal in thanks for their loyalty.

A box of Indian sweets, or mithai, is the traditional gift. Kaju katli and soan papdi are safe, widely appreciated choices. Dressing up a little is also customary.

"Happy Diwali" is the standard greeting. "Shubh Deepavali" is a more traditional form.