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Diwali is the festival of light — a celebration that every year calls millions of Indians to illuminate their homes, share sweets, and gather with loved ones. But the deepest teaching of Deepavali is this: light is only meaningful when it reaches the darkness. This Diwali 2026, Akshaya Chaitanya asks you to extend your diya a little farther — to the child in a hospital corridor, the student in a government school who arrives hungry, and the daily labourer who has no festival to come home to. Donate on Diwali and let your giving be the light someone else carries forward.

About Diwali: Why This Festival Is Celebrated

Diwali (Deepavali — "row of lamps") is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world, observed by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and many others across faiths. Falling in the month of Kartik on the new moon night, it marks:

  • The return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana — as celebrated in the Ramayana tradition
  • The worship of Goddess Lakshmi on the night of Lakshmi Puja, inviting prosperity and abundance into homes and businesses
  • The victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi
  • The Jain celebration of Lord Mahavira attaining nirvana
  • The Sikh commemoration of Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior Fort

At its core, every tradition of Diwali carries one shared message: the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and generosity over indifference.

Diwali 2026 — Auspicious Dates, Rituals & Events

Important Days of Diwali 2026 DateSignificance
DhanterasFriday, November 6Worship of Dhanvantari; buying utensils/gold for prosperity
Naraka Chaturdashi / Chhoti DiwaliSaturday, November 7Liberation from darkness; early morning rituals
Lakshmi Puja / Main DiwaliSunday, November 8Primary Diwali — lighting of diyas, Lakshmi puja, celebrations
Govardhan Puja / AnnakutMonday, November 9Gratitude to nature; community feasts and anna offering
Bhai DoojTuesday, November 10Sibling bond; sisters pray for brothers' wellbeing

Why Donate on Diwali? The Tradition of Daan in Deepavali

1. Lakshmi Puja and the duty of giving Goddess Lakshmi — the deity of prosperity — is at the heart of Diwali worship. Hindu tradition teaches that Lakshmi enters homes where generosity flows freely. Daan on Diwali is not separate from Lakshmi puja; it is part of it.

2. Annakut and the sacred tradition of community feeding Govardhan Puja (the fourth day of Diwali) celebrates Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to feed and protect his community. Annakut — the "mountain of food" offered on this day — is a direct tradition of feeding the community in abundance. Donating food on Diwali is the living form of Annakut.

3. The light must reach the darkness While firecrackers illuminate the sky for one night, Annadaan illuminates a child's entire day — giving them the energy to study, the strength to heal, and the dignity of a full meal. Daan on Diwali extends your celebration beyond your walls.

4. Diwali giving earns Lakshmi's blessings In Hindu belief, Diwali daan brings Goddess Lakshmi's sustained blessings — not just for one night, but for the entire coming year. Giving on Diwali is considered an investment in prosperity, health, and peace.

What Is Annadaan on Diwali?

Annadaan on Diwali means providing hot, nutritious meals to those in need on the most festive days of the Hindu calendar — days when the contrast between abundance and hunger is felt most sharply. At Akshaya Chaitanya, your Diwali Annadaan reaches:

  • Children in government schools who celebrate Diwali but return to schools on empty stomachs
  • Patients' families in government hospitals who spend Diwali in hospital corridors, unable to celebrate or afford a decent meal
  • Homeless and daily-wage communities in Mumbai's slums, for whom Diwali often passes without even one proper meal

How Your Donation Is Used by Akshaya Chaitanya

Akshaya Chaitanya is a trusted NGO in India, operating from our FSSAI-certified kitchen in Byculla, Mumbai since 2007. Your Diwali donation is used with full transparency:

Your DonationImpact
₹251 nutritious meal
₹50020 meals at a hospital or school
₹5,000200 meals across Mumbai
₹10,000400 meals — one full feeding run

This Diwali, our target is to serve 40,000 vulnerable family members in government hospitals across Mumbai. Your donation gets us there.

Food donation online funds our kitchen directly. You can also support donate to poor communities through our daily Swasthya Ahara programme.

How to Do Daan on Deepavali with Akshaya Chaitanya

  1. Visit donate to NGO online
  2. Select your Ganesh Chaturthi donation amount (₹25 onwards)
  3. Complete payment via UPI, net banking, card, or bank transfer
  4. Receive 80G tax exemption receipt instantly
  5. Optional: WhatsApp us(+91 89289 91161) or Email us(write2us@akshayachaitanya.org) for photos of the Anna Daan your contribution funded.

Our Impact

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23.8 M +
Meals Served
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6.2 M +
Beneficiaries Served
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172 +
Municipal Schools
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31 +
Govt Hospitals
Updated as on: 24/08/2026
COMMUNITY OF GIVERS

Our Donors

Every rupee feeds a hungry family. Thank you for making it possible.

● 23.8M meals served
● 6.2M beneficiaries
● Rs.25 = 1 meal direct impact
1
VK
Vihaan Khanna
One-time donation
* 3400 meals funded
₹85,000
1 week ago
2
KD
Kala Doraisamy
One-time donation
* 2000 meals funded
₹50,000
1 day ago
3
AS
amit shah
One-time donation
* 2000 meals funded
₹50,000
2 weeks ago
4
CJ
CHARUTA JAYANT PURANIK
One-time donation
* 2000 meals funded
₹50,000
2 weeks ago
5
RC
Ramesh Chandra Amba
One-time donation
* 2000 meals funded
₹50,000
1 week ago
1
PT
Priya Tokarshi Raichana
One-time donation
* 20 meals funded
₹500
24 minutes ago
2
HM
Hemant Mohite
One-time donation
* 80 meals funded
₹2,000
26 minutes ago
3
PS
Priyadharsana Siva
Birthday celebration of Others
* 200 meals funded
₹5,000
5 hours ago
4
G
Gireesh
Birthday celebration
* 40 meals funded
₹1,000
6 hours ago
5
NA
Narendra Arbat
One-time donation
* 40 meals funded
₹1,000
9 hours ago
Join our circle of givers
A donation of Rs.500 provides 20 meals to
hospital patients & schoolchildren.
Donate Now →

Our feeding Initiatives

Bal Shiksha Ahara
Municipal School Meals Programme

48,04,484 meals across 102 municipal Birthday schools improved classroom attendance by up to 24% in 2024-2026.

Initiative image

Swasthya Ahara
Government Hospital Feeding Programme

Served 3,94,957 families of patients across 32 Govt. Hospitals and Cancer Center to help save over 47 Cr. towards treatment.

Initiative image

Paushtik Ahara
Meals on Wheels Programme

Serving to support informal education for 450 underprivileged children in 5 slums.

Initiative image

Beneficiary Diaries

Why Donate for the New Year?

  • Celebrate with Purpose:A New Year donation helps feed those who need it most, spreading true joy and hope as we step into the year ahead.
  • Trusted Impact:As a leading NGO in Mumbai, we serve hot, nutritious meals to children, families, and hospital patients every day.
  • Light Up Lives:Every meal donated brings warmth, happiness, and relief to underprivileged communities, making the New Year truly special for those in need.

Why Donate Food on Makar Sankranti?

  • Make an Impact: By donating food on Makar Sankranti, you help feed thousands of underprivileged families, children, and hospital patients across Mumbai.
  • Celebrate Abundance: Sankranti and Pongal are about sharing the harvest of prosperity—charitable giving spreads joy and blessings.
  • Join a Trusted NGO: Akshaya Chaitanya is a leading NGO in Mumbai, delivering hot, nutritious meals daily to the poor and underserved

How Your Donation Makes an Impact

  • Donate on New Year 2024: Start the New Year with compassion by supporting patients in hospitals who struggle to afford food.
  • Make a Difference:Your New Year donation enables us to serve over 16,000+ meals daily across Mumbai, nourishing children, families, and hospital patients in need.
  • Transform Lives: Charitable giving this New Year isn’t just a donation – it’s hope shared and lives transformed.

How Your Makar Sankranti Donation Helps

  • Donate to Children: Your contributions help feed children in municipal schools who rely on us for their daily nourishment.
  • Donate to Hospitals: Support patients in government hospitals who often skip meals to save for medical costs.
  • Donate to the Poor: Every food donation brings relief to families struggling with hunger during this festive season.
    • Join hands with us this Makar Sankranti and Pongal to ensure no one sleeps hungry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Diwali is a vibrant Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is also a time of giving, where acts of charity and kindness are highly encouraged. Families light oil lamps, decorate their homes, and share sweets, but the spirit of generosity shines the brightest. Donations, especially to the poor and children, hold special significance during this auspicious festival.

Donating on Diwali carries significant importance as it embodies the festival’s message of generosity and community spirit. Key reasons why donating during Diwali is crucial: Spiritual Merit: Acts of charity, such as donating to the poor on Diwali, are believed to attract divine blessings and spiritual merit, bringing positive energy into your life. Compassion and Empathy: Donating during Diwali reflects the values of compassion and empathy, enhancing the joy of the festival by sharing it with those less fortunate. Overall, making a donation on Diwali helps strengthen bonds within the community and supports those in need, making the festival more meaningful.

At Akshaya Chaitanya, we are partnered with over 104+ municipal schools and 29+ government hospitals and cancer care centers in Mumbai. You can easily make a donation online by visiting our website. You can also choose to visit our distribution centers to experience the joy of giving firsthand. Our central kitchen in Byculla can cook up to 25,000 meals per day, and we currently serve 18,000+ meals daily. Simply click the donate button above, select an amount, and donate online. We’ll take care of the rest!

At Akshaya Chaitanya, we serve 18,000+ meals daily across 104 municipal schools, 29+ government hospitals, cancer care centers, and 4 schools on wheels. Even if you donate online, you are welcome to visit any of our distribution sites to experience the joy of giving firsthand and interact with our beneficiaries.

Yes, all donations made to Akshaya Chaitanya are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G. You will receive a donation receipt via email once the online donation process is successfully completed.

Yes, you can celebrate special occasions by donating on behalf of a loved one. Whether it's Diwali or another occasion, sharing the spirit of giving makes it even more meaningful.

At Akshaya Chaitanya, we collaborate with nutritionists and food safety experts to ensure that the meals we prepare are not just filling but also nutritious. Our goal is to promote good health while feeding the needy, especially during the festive season.

Yes. We are registered under the relevant Trust/Society/Charity Act.. We also hold a valid Section 80G approval, enabling donation tax benefits.

You may donate any amount — there is no strict minimum. However, to avail 80G benefits and to cover administrative handling, we request a minimum of ₹500 (or the equivalent in your currency).

Yes.

1. Your full name and address 2. PAN (mandatory) 3. Donation date, amount, mode of payment 4. Use the donation receipt / 80G certificate while filing your ITR.

You should claim the deduction in the same financial year in which you made the donation (i.e., when filing your ITR). The certificate and receipt must be valid and preserved for audit.

Yes, NRIs holding Indian PAN and donating to Indian NGOs are eligible for 80G benefits (if all conditions are met). (Check with your tax advisor for cross-border or double taxation issues.)

Yes. Donors can opt into periodic updates (monthly or quarterly) showing impact metrics, field stories, and photos (respecting beneficiary privacy). You may also visit project areas (by prior appointment), or you can choose to get the annadan pictures online via WhatsApp.

Not always. Only the deductible portion (50% or 100%, depending on NGO status) can be claimed. Also, the deduction is often limited to 10% of adjusted gross income. Surpluses beyond that may not qualify.

In 2026, the festival window is approximately November 6 to November 10, with Lakshmi Puja / main Diwali falling on 8th November'26

Make This New Year a Celebration of Giving

The promise of New Year 2024 is best celebrated through compassion and kindness. Your New Year donations help us serve meals to thousands, ensuring no one goes hungry as we welcome the year ahead.

Click Here to Donate Now and Share the Joy!

Make This Makar Sankranti and Pongal a Festival of Giving

This festive season, let’s go beyond celebrations. Donate food, spread happiness, and transform lives. Akshaya Chaitanya is your trusted partner in charitable giving, ensuring your generosity reaches the people who need it most.

Donate Now to Make a Difference!

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Please find our bank details below:
Name

HKM Charitable Foundation

Bank Name

Kotak Bank

A/c Type

Savings account

Account No

6645753806

MICR

500485006

IFSC/RTGS Code

KKBK0000553

Bank Address

Ilyas Mohammed Khan Estate, Road no.1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034