Vasubaras, also known as Govatsa Dwadashi, marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations in Maharashtra. The day is dedicated to the cow and her calf, and many Maharashtrian households observe it by feeding and decorating cows in their local area.
Vasubaras falls a day before Dhanteras, marking the first day of the 6-day Diwali sequence. In 2026, it falls on 5 November, a Thursday, setting the celebrations in motion ahead of the main festival days. The day holds particular significance in rural communities, where the cow has long been closely connected to agricultural life.
Dhanteras falls on 6 November 2026, marking the formal start of the wider Diwali season. The day is associated with wealth and with Goddess Lakshmi, and buying gold or utensils is traditional. Many households also light a small lamp for Yama that evening, seeking protection from untimely death.
Markets across Nagpur and the rest of Maharashtra stay busy well into the evening on this day. Vidarbha households, including those around Nagpur, follow this same core sequence with only minor local variations.
Narak Chaturdashi, often called Choti Diwali, spans 2 calendar days in 2026. The Chaturdashi tithi begins on the morning of Saturday, 7 November, while the traditional abhyang snan, a ritual oil bath, and the main observances take place before sunrise on Sunday, 8 November.
The ritual involves applying sesame oil to the body before bathing, after which families gather for sweets and other festive preparations. This pre-dawn tradition is an important part of Diwali in Maharashtra and is also widely observed across South India.
Padwa Diwali, also known as Balipratipada, falls on 10 November 2026, 2 days after Lakshmi Puja. Wives traditionally apply tilak to their husbands and pray for their long life on this day, known as Padwa. Diwali also marks the start of the Marathi new business year, when trading communities open fresh ledgers. For many households, it is a more domestic and family-focused day within the wider festival.
The tradition is distinctly Maharashtrian and barely covered anywhere outside dedicated cultural or event listings. Nagpur hosts its own version of these gatherings, usually organised by local cultural associations and societies. Details and venues tend to be announced closer to the actual festival dates each year.
Karanji, anarse, shankarpali, and besan ladoo round out a typical faral platter. Guests visiting during Diwali are almost always offered a plate of faral alongside tea or coffee. Most families prepare enough in advance to last through the entire festive week without extra cooking. Guests can also sample Vidarbha and Saoji flavours at Citron, a restaurant in Nagpur, alongside the usual festive spread.
Guests driving in for Diwali can make use of complimentary parking for 60 cars on the property. Our rooms offer options for different lengths of stay, while current festive offers are worth checking before booking a stay around any of these dates. Nagpur's city centre, Sitabuldi, sits within easy reach too, useful for any last-minute festive shopping.