The Supreme Court's 2018 order on firecrackers allowed states to fix specific time windows for bursting on festival days. Tamil Nadu, where Deepavali celebrations traditionally start before sunrise, has in recent years notified one window in the early morning and one in the evening on Deepavali day.
Why the timings matter
Police and pollution control boards enforce these windows, especially in cities. Bursting outside them can draw a complaint or a case, and in apartment complexes it is the most common cause of disputes between neighbours.
Where to find the 2026 timings
The Tamil Nadu government and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board announce the timings a week or two before the festival. They are carried by all major Tamil and English newspapers and by district police social media accounts. Other states — Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry and others — announce their own rules, so check the one for where you will actually be celebrating.
Planning around a short window
- Sort your crackers in advance into "morning" and "evening" boxes. Sparklers, flower pots and chakkars suit the early morning; aerial shots look best after dark.
- Prepare the ground before the window opens — water buckets, sand and a clear area.
- Don't rush. A short window tempts people to light several items at once. One at a time is safer and you enjoy each one more.
Silence zones apply at all times
Even within the permitted window, bursting is not allowed near hospitals, schools, courts and places of worship that are notified as silence zones.
For more on the rules, see our fireworks guide and safety tips.
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