Diwali 2026: Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Puja Vidhi & Dhanteras

In the days before Diwali, the whole feel of a household changes. Cleaning begins in earnest, markets fill with diyas and sweets, and every home starts preparing for the evening worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

If you're looking for Diwali 2026 date, Lakshmi Puja muhurat, Diwali puja vidhi, Dhanteras 2026 date, Govardhan Puja 2026, or Bhai Dooj 2026 — this guide brings it all together in one place.

Diwali 2026 Date

Diwali 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Diwali is observed on the Amavasya (new moon) of the Hindu month of Kartika. In 2026, the Amavasya tithi spans November 8 and 9, but the main Diwali observance falls on November 8.

The date itself is the same across India, but the exact Lakshmi Puja muhurat varies by city, because it depends on the local sunrise, sunset and Panchang calculations for that place. So it's worth checking the Panchang for your own city before settling on a puja time, rather than borrowing a time published for somewhere else.

At a glance — Diwali 2026 festivals

Some Panchangs and government holiday calendars list Naraka Chaturdashi and Govardhan Puja a day earlier or later than shown here, since both the tithi's exact timing and regional custom play a part. For whichever vrat or puja you intend to perform, treat your own local Panchang as the final word.

Diwali 2026 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat

For New Delhi, the published Lakshmi Puja muhurat is:

Sunday, November 8, 2026, 5:54 pm to 7:50 pm.

The same calculation places Pradosh Kaal at approximately 5:31 pm to 8:09 pm for Delhi.

This timing shouldn't simply be copied for every city. Published muhurat timings for Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Kolkata will each differ from Delhi's, because sunset — and the calculations built on it — changes from place to place.

Why does the Diwali puja time differ from city to city?

Hindu puja muhurats are worked out from several Panchang factors, including the observer's location. Sunset and the timings that follow from it are central to when the puja window opens and closes.

So if you're searching for:

• Diwali Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026 Delhi
• Diwali Lakshmi Puja muhurat 2026 Mumbai
• Diwali puja muhurat 2026 Bangalore
• Diwali puja muhurat 2026 Kolkata
• Diwali puja muhurat 2026 Pune

make sure you're using a Panchang calculated for that specific city, not one built for another.

What Does Diwali Mean?

Deepawali is commonly understood to mean a row or series of lamps.

Lighting diyas is Diwali's most recognizable tradition. At one level, the festival is understood as a celebration of light overcoming darkness, and knowledge overcoming ignorance.

For Hindus, Diwali is also associated with Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana returning to Ayodhya after Rama completed his fourteen-year exile. The people of Ayodhya are traditionally said to have welcomed them home by lighting rows of lamps.

There are also strong regional traditions around Diwali. In many places, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as the deity of prosperity and abundance. In some regions, Diwali is associated with Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura. In West Bengal, Kali Puja is observed around the same time.

So Diwali is celebrated differently across different parts of India — and that diversity is part of what makes the festival so rich.

Why Is Lakshmi Puja Performed on Diwali?

Lakshmi Puja is one of Diwali's central traditions.

Goddess Lakshmi is traditionally associated with prosperity, abundance and auspiciousness. Families clean and decorate their homes ahead of the festival, then perform Lakshmi Puja in the evening.

Lord Ganesha is commonly worshipped alongside Goddess Lakshmi as part of the same puja.

The idea isn't really about asking for material wealth. For most families, Diwali puja is a time to pray for peace, prosperity, wisdom, good fortune and harmony in the household — and to reflect on the year that has passed and the kind of life one wants to build in the year ahead.

Diwali Puja Vidhi: How to Perform Lakshmi Puja at Home

Diwali puja vidhi differs between families and traditions, so there's no single ritual every household follows.

A simple Lakshmi-Ganesha puja can generally be arranged with the following items.

Diwali Puja Samagri

• Goddess Lakshmi's image or idol
• Lord Ganesha's idol or image
• A puja platform
• Diyas
• Cotton wicks
• Oil or ghee
• Flowers
• Kumkum
• Akshat (rice)
• Incense
• Fruits
• Other naivedya (offerings)
• Water
• A kalash, if that's part of your family's tradition
• Coins or other items traditionally included in your household's Lakshmi Puja

You don't need to make the puja complicated. What matters is performing it with cleanliness, attention and devotion.

Simple Lakshmi Puja Steps

1. Clean the puja area

Clean the place where you'll perform the puja, and arrange the idols or images respectfully.

2. Light the diya

Light a diya and incense as your household traditionally follows.

3. Worship Lord Ganesha

Begin with Lord Ganesha, who is traditionally worshipped before any auspicious activity.

4. Worship Goddess Lakshmi

Offer flowers, kumkum, akshat, fruits and sweets according to your family's tradition.

5. Chant the Lakshmi mantra

You can chant a Lakshmi mantra, or recite Lakshmi Ashtakam, Shri Suktam, or another prayer that belongs to your own tradition.

6. Perform Lakshmi Aarti

Complete the worship with Lakshmi Aarti — and involve family members in the aarti rather than treating the puja as something only one person performs.

7. Offer prasad

Distribute the sweets or other prasad among family members.

The point of the evening isn't to perform every step in the "correct" order. A simple, sincere puja can just as easily become a family tradition.

Diwali Mantra for Lakshmi Puja

One commonly recited mantra is:

ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः।

Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.

It's traditionally recited as a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi.

You can include this mantra as part of your Diwali puja, or spend a few quiet minutes on naam jap afterward. For those who prefer a set practice, one mala of 108 repetitions is a simple way to spend some peaceful time in prayer.

Dhanteras 2026

Dhanteras will be observed on Friday, November 6, 2026, according to the Diwali festival calendar used here.

Dhanteras is associated with Dhanvantari, and is traditionally considered an auspicious occasion for purchases connected with household prosperity and well-being.

Many families buy:

• Gold or silver
• Utensils
• Household items
• Diyas
• Other useful items

These customs vary from family to family and region to region.

Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi.

Naraka Chaturdashi and Choti Diwali 2026

Naraka Chaturdashi is commonly known as Choti Diwali.

Tradition associates it with Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura, and the day is generally connected with cleansing and getting the home ready before the main lighting of lamps.

Because the lunar tithi and local sunrise calculations affect exactly when it falls, check your own Panchang for the precise timing of Naraka Chaturdashi rituals in your city.

Diwali 2026: Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is observed after Diwali, and falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 according to this site's own festival calendar.

It's associated with Lord Krishna and Govardhan Hill. According to the story, Krishna protected the people of Vrindavan by lifting Govardhan Hill and sheltering them from the heavy rain sent by Indra.

The festival is closely connected with gratitude, devotion, and the relationship between people, nature and the divine. In many homes, devotees prepare Annakut — a large offering made from a variety of vegetarian foods.

Some regions and Panchangs observe Govardhan Puja a day earlier or later, so follow your family's tradition and local Panchang for the exact day.

Bhai Dooj 2026

Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Bhai Dooj celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Traditionally, sisters apply a tilak to their brothers and pray for their well-being, while brothers offer gifts and affection in return.

Different parts of India know the festival by different names, including Bhai Dooj, Bhai Phota and Bhau Beej.

How to Celebrate Diwali at Home

Diwali doesn't have to mean an expensive celebration. A meaningful one can be quite simple.

Clean your home. Cleaning the house before Diwali is one of the most familiar traditions — and also an opportunity to remove things that are no longer useful, and create a more peaceful living space.

Light diyas. Clay diyas bring a warmth that electric lights can't quite reproduce. A few diyas placed thoughtfully around the home can transform its atmosphere.

Make a rangoli. A small rangoli near the entrance is enough. You don't need an elaborate design — a simple pattern made with flowers or a few colours looks just as beautiful.

Spend time with family. Diwali is a good excuse to put the phone away for a while, sit together and share a meal.

Pray together. A short family prayer, Lakshmi Puja or aarti can become a tradition children remember for years.

Share sweets. Giving sweets and gifts to family, friends and neighbours is part of Diwali for many people.

Celebrate responsibly. If you use fireworks, follow local regulations and be mindful of children, older people, animals, and anyone sensitive to loud noise. A quieter Diwali can be just as joyful.

Diwali Decorations for Home

You don't need elaborate decorations to make your home feel festive. Some simple ideas:

• Clay diyas
• Marigold flowers
• Rangoli
• Toran at the entrance
• Warm string lights
• Floating flowers
• Brass lamps
• Candles

One simple approach is to keep the decoration around the puja area more traditional, while using lights through the rest of the house. This gives the home a festive feel without making every corner look crowded.

Diwali Puja at the Office or Shop

For business owners, Diwali is also traditionally associated with prosperity and a fresh beginning.

Many businesses perform a Lakshmi-Ganesha puja, clean their workplace, and organize their accounts around the festival. Some business communities also observe traditions connected with the start of a new financial or business year around this time.

These customs differ considerably across regions, so businesses should follow their own community and family traditions.

Diwali Food and Sweets

Food is one of the most-loved parts of Diwali. Popular sweets and festive foods include:

• Kaju Katli
• Gulab Jamun
• Ladoo
• Jalebi
• Gujiya
• Shakkarpara
• Namakpara
• Chakli
• Mathri
• Barfi
• Dry fruits

Different regions have their own Diwali specialties, and for many families, making sweets at home is as much a part of the festival as eating them.

Diwali and Spiritual Practice

The lights, decorations and celebrations are one part of Diwali — but the festival has a quieter side too.

Diwali can be a good time to ask a few simple questions:

What do I want to leave behind?

What habits do I want to change?

What kind of person do I want to become?

Where can I bring more kindness into my daily life?

A few minutes of prayer, meditation or naam jap can make the festival more personal. Instead of spending the whole evening moving from one activity to the next, even ten quiet minutes for reflection can be worthwhile.

Diwali Naam Jap

If you already have a mantra practice, Diwali can be a meaningful day to renew your sankalp.

You might choose 108 repetitions, or one mala, of your chosen mantra. Some people prefer a Lakshmi mantra during Diwali, while others continue with their Ishta Devata mantra.

There's no need to turn practice into a competition — the value lies in regularity, attention and devotion. If you use a japa counter, you can also keep track of your daily practice without having to count every repetition by hand.

Diwali Aarti

Aarti is part of many Diwali celebrations. Popular devotional choices include:

• Om Jai Lakshmi Mata
• Ganesh Aarti
• Lakshmi Aarti
• Ganesh-Lakshmi puja prayers

Families often have their own preferred aarti and sequence of worship. If children are taking part, letting them help with the aarti or prepare the puja area can make the tradition more meaningful for them.

Diwali 2026: A Simple Puja Checklist

If you want to keep things simple, use this checklist.

Before Puja

• Clean the puja area
• Clean the home
• Arrange Lakshmi and Ganesha
• Prepare flowers
• Prepare diyas
• Keep sweets and fruits ready
• Keep incense and puja items ready
• Prepare the rangoli

During Puja

• Light the diya
• Worship Ganesha
• Worship Lakshmi
• Offer flowers and prasad
• Chant the mantra
• Perform aarti
• Pray for the well-being of the family

After Puja

• Distribute prasad
• Light diyas around the home
• Spend time with family
• Visit or call loved ones
• Take a few quiet moments for prayer or reflection

Diwali 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

When is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

When is Lakshmi Puja in 2026?

Lakshmi Puja is performed on Diwali, November 8, 2026. For New Delhi, the published muhurat is 5:54 pm to 7:50 pm. The exact muhurat varies by location.

When is Dhanteras in 2026?

Dhanteras is observed on Friday, November 6, 2026, in the Diwali calendar used here.

When is Choti Diwali in 2026?

Choti Diwali is associated with Naraka Chaturdashi. The exact observance depends on the tithi and local sunrise calculation, so check your local Panchang for the precise ritual timing.

When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?

Govardhan Puja is observed after Diwali. This site's own festival calendar places it on Tuesday, November 10, 2026; some regions and Panchangs observe it a day earlier.

When is Bhai Dooj in 2026?

Bhai Dooj will be observed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

What should we buy on Dhanteras?

Many families traditionally purchase gold, silver, utensils or useful household items on Dhanteras. Customs vary by region and family tradition.

Which God is worshipped on Diwali?

Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are commonly worshipped during Diwali's Lakshmi Puja. Different regions also have their own important Diwali deities and traditions.

Which mantra can be chanted on Diwali?

A commonly recited Lakshmi mantra is:

ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः।

You can also continue with your regular Ishta Devata mantra, or another prayer that's part of your family tradition.

Why do we light diyas on Diwali?

Diyas are traditionally associated with light overcoming darkness. In Hindu tradition, lighting lamps is also connected with auspiciousness, devotion and welcoming prosperity into the home.

Celebrate Diwali With Light, Prayer and Family

Diwali comes with plenty of activity — shopping, cleaning, cooking, decorating and visiting relatives.

Underneath all of it is a simpler idea: bringing light into our lives.

A single diya is small. One lamp can't light up a city on its own — but thousands of small lamps together can transform a night. The same can be true of our lives.

A small prayer. A few minutes of naam jap. A kind word. A visit to someone who's alone. A meal shared with family. A moment of gratitude.

These small things are also part of the light we celebrate.

This Diwali, take time for the celebrations — and also keep a little space for silence.

Light a diya. Offer your prayer. Remember the people who matter to you. Begin the new season with a peaceful heart.

Shubh Deepawali 2026.