There's a particular hush that falls over a home on Diwali evening, just before the lamps are lit. The cleaning is done, the rangoli is finished at the doorstep, and the whole family gathers for the one ritual that ties the entire festival together — Lakshmi Puja. This is Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness and the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi into homes that welcome her with open doors and lit diyas.
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, and if you're searching for the exact Lakshmi Puja muhurat, the full five-day calendar from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, or how to book a Pandit for Diwali Puja at home, this guide covers it all. The five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on Friday, November 6 through Bhai Dooj, observed on either November 10 or 11 depending on your region and family panchang. This complete guide covers every day's significance, the precise Lakshmi Puja shubh muhurat, puja vidhi, samagri list, the Lakshmi mantra, and how to book a verified Pandit for Diwali Puja at home or for your business.
Diwali 2026 — The Five-Day Festival Calendar
Diwali is never a single day — it is a five-day sequence, each day carrying its own ritual, story, and significance, beginning with Dhanteras and closing with Bhai Dooj. Here are the key 2026 dates:
| Day | Date & Day | Occasion | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nov 6Friday | Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) | Buying gold, silver or utensils; worship of Dhanvantari and Kubera for wealth and health. |
| Day 2 | Nov 7Saturday | Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi | South India Pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan; Krishna's victory over demon Narakasura; principal day in Tamil, Telugu & Kannada tradition. |
| Day 3 | Nov 8Sunday | Lakshmi Puja / Main Diwali | Heart of Festival Goddess Lakshmi worshipped in the evening Pradosh Kaal; homes lit with diyas. |
| Day 4 | Nov 9Monday | Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Celebrates Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill; a mountain of vegetarian food (Annakut) offered. |
| Day 5 | Nov 10–11Tue–Wed | Bhai Dooj / Bhaiya Dooj | Regional Variation Sisters apply tilak and pray for brothers' long life; date varies by panchang. |
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Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026 — Exact Diwali Muhurat Timing
The Lakshmi Puja Shubh Muhurat on November 8, 2026 falls during Pradosh Kaal — the auspicious period around sunset — approximately between 6:27 PM and 8:27 PM IST. This is when Amavasya tithi is in full effect and considered the most powerful window to invite Goddess Lakshmi's grace into the home.
Pradosh Kaal Muhurat
The main and most recommended Lakshmi Puja window on Sunday, November 8, 2026 — falls right after sunset, when the goddess is believed to visit homes.
Vrishabha Lagna Muhurat
The Fixed (Sthira) Vrishabha Lagna is considered especially auspicious for retaining wealth — many businesses and shop owners prefer this window.
No Eclipse This Year
The two solar and two lunar eclipses of 2026 fall in February, March and August — nowhere near November 8. There is no Sutak Kaal to worry about for Diwali 2026.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat by City
Because the muhurat depends on your local sunset and Panchang, exact timings shift by city. Tap your city below for a quick reference:
Diwali Puja in Delhi NCR
Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad follow a Pradosh Kaal window shortly after sunset, adjusted for North Indian timing.
Diwali Puja in Mumbai
Mumbai's sunset is slightly later than Delhi's, shifting the Pradosh Kaal window accordingly for Maharashtrian households.
Diwali Puja in Bangalore
Bangalore households often combine Naraka Chaturdashi's pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan with the evening Lakshmi Puja.
Diwali Puja in Pune
Pune follows a similar window to Mumbai, with Govardhan Puja (Padwa) carrying extra significance for Maharashtrian families.
Diwali Puja in Hyderabad
Hyderabad and Telangana households often treat Naraka Chaturdashi as the principal day, alongside the main Lakshmi Puja.
Book your exact-muhurat Lakshmi Puja for November 8, 2026.
City-specific timing confirmed at booking · Verified Pandits · All major cities
Understanding Each Day of Diwali
Dhanteras — Friday, November 6, 2026
The first day of the festival is dedicated to wealth and health. Families clean their homes thoroughly, purchase gold, silver, or new utensils believed to bring good fortune, and worship Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, along with Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. A small Yama Deepam (lamp) is lit facing south at the entrance to ward off untimely death.
Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi — Saturday, November 7, 2026
The second day marks Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolising the end of evil and darkness. Devotees take a pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan (ritual oil bath) and light smaller diyas as a prelude to the main celebration. In Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada households, this is often treated as the principal day of Diwali.
Lakshmi Puja — The Heart of Diwali
On Kartik Amavasya, when the night is at its darkest, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to walk the earth seeking homes that are clean, lit, and welcoming. Every lamp lit on Diwali night is an invitation — a signal that this home is ready to receive abundance and prosperity for the year ahead.
Govardhan Puja / Annakut — Monday, November 9, 2026
This day celebrates Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from Indra's wrath. A grand Annakut — literally "a mountain of food" — comprising 56 or 108 vegetarian dishes is prepared and offered to Krishna, symbolising gratitude for nature's abundance.
Bhai Dooj — November 10 or 11, 2026
The final day celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply a tilak on their brothers' foreheads, pray for their long life, and are showered with gifts in return — echoing the story of Yama and his sister Yami. Bhai Dooj lands two civil days after Diwali this year rather than one, because of how the Dwitiya tithi falls — always confirm with your local panchang if your family observes it a day earlier.
Diwali slots fill up fast — this is the busiest booking period of the year.
Dhanteras, Lakshmi Puja & Govardhan Puja packages · Book 7–10 days early
Diwali Puja Samagri List
Your Pandit carries the puja texts and ritual implements. Arrange the following at home before the puja:
Diwali Puja Vidhi — Step by Step
Here's the complete Diwali puja vidhi your Pandit follows, from home preparation to the final aarti:
Cleaning & Home Preparation
The home is thoroughly cleaned in the days leading up to Diwali, decorated with rangoli, torans, and diyas, symbolising the removal of negativity and preparing to welcome the Goddess.
Sankalp & Ganapati Puja
The Pandit begins with the Sankalp — your name, gotra, and the specific intention of the Diwali Puja are declared. Lord Ganesh is worshipped first to remove obstacles before Lakshmi's invocation.
Kalash Sthapana & Invocation
A small Kalash is installed and Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh are formally invoked with Dhyana and Avahana mantras, along with Kubera for the retention of wealth.
Shodashopachara Puja & Lakshmi Mantra
The traditional sixteen-step worship is performed — bathing, adorning, offering flowers, incense and lamp. The Pandit chants the Lakshmi beej mantra "Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah" 108 times, often paired with the Kubera mantra afterward.
Aarti & Diya Lighting
The puja concludes with Aarti to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh. Diyas are lit throughout the home — doorways, windows, and the puja room — to illuminate the path for the Goddess.
Prasad Distribution & Family Celebration
Prasad is distributed among family members, followed by the exchange of sweets and gifts with neighbours and relatives, and often fireworks to mark the joyous occasion.
The Lakshmi Mantra & What It Means
The primary mantra chanted during Lakshmi Puja is the Lakshmi Beej Mantra:
Many families pair it with the Ganesh mantra "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" first, to remove obstacles, and the Kubera mantra afterward, to help retain the wealth invoked by Lakshmi's blessings.
Benefits of Diwali & Lakshmi Puja
Diwali Puja is performed for a wide range of spiritual and material blessings. Here are the primary benefits devotees and businesses seek:
Wealth & Prosperity
Invites financial abundance, business growth, and lasting family prosperity.
Removes Obstacles & Negativity
Symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, clearing blocked paths and negative energy.
Family Harmony
Brings families together, strengthens relationships, and blesses harmonious married life.
Spiritual Renewal
A fresh, clean home and a lit diya symbolise inner renewal and clarity of mind.
Business Growth
Lakshmi-Kubera Puja for shops and businesses invites new opportunities and steady growth.
Health & Longevity
Dhanteras worship of Dhanvantari is believed to bring good health for the family.
Diwali Cleaning & Vastu Tips
A clean, well-lit home is central to inviting Goddess Lakshmi. Here are simple guidelines many households follow:
Choose Your Diwali Puja Package — Diwali Puja Cost
Each puja includes a verified Pandit, complete vidhi, and a samagri checklist. If you're comparing Diwali puja cost across packages, here's exactly what each one includes so you can pick the one that matches your needs:
Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
The complete traditional Lakshmi Puja for homes — Sankalp, Kalash Sthapana, Shodashopachara worship and Lakshmi mantra chanting.
- Sankalp + Ganapati Puja
- Kalash Sthapana & Devi Avahana
- Shodashopachara Puja
- Lakshmi Beej Mantra (108 times)
- Aarti + Prasad guidance
Lakshmi-Kubera Puja
A business-focused Diwali Puja including account ledgers, cash box worship, and Kubera Puja for financial growth and retention of wealth.
- Everything in Home Diwali Puja
- Kubera Puja & mantra
- Ledger and cash box worship
- Business prosperity Sankalp
- Extended blessing for staff
Elaborate Diwali Puja
The full traditional experience with Sri Suktam, Kanakadhara Stotram, and extended Ashtalakshmi worship for maximum abundance and grace.
- Everything in Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
- Sri Suktam Path
- Kanakadhara Stotram
- Ashtalakshmi Avahana
- Personalised remedy guidance
Diwali Puja Across India — Available in Your City
Puja Purohit provides verified Pandits for Diwali Puja at home or for your business, across India:
Why Devotees Trust Puja Purohit for Diwali Puja
Verified Pandits
Trained in authentic Vedic Lakshmi Puja and regional Diwali traditions.
Samagri Checklist
Complete samagri list with exact quantities sent 48 hrs before your puja.
On-Time Guarantee
Muhurat timing matters most on Diwali. Pandit arrives on time — or we reschedule at zero cost.
50+ Cities Pan-India
Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad & more.
WhatsApp Coordination
Booking, samagri list, Pandit contact, day-of coordination — all on WhatsApp.
3 Puja Packages
Home, Business & Elaborate Lakshmi Puja — all with verified Pandits.
Light a Diya, Welcome the Goddess
Diwali comes but once a year, on the single darkest night of the lunar calendar — and it is exactly that darkness which makes every lit diya so meaningful. Don't let this year's Lakshmi Puja pass without inviting the Goddess's abundance into your home. Book your Pandit, clean your space, light your diyas, and let the Lakshmi mantra fill your home with prosperity. Shubh Deepavali!
Frequently Asked Questions — Diwali 2026
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, coinciding with Kartik Amavasya. The full five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on Friday, November 6 through Bhai Dooj, observed on either November 10 or 11 depending on region and panchang.
What is the Lakshmi Puja Muhurat for Diwali 2026?
The Lakshmi Puja Shubh Muhurat on November 8, 2026 falls during Pradosh Kaal in the evening, approximately between 6:27 PM and 8:27 PM IST, though the exact window shifts slightly by city. There is no eclipse or Sutak Kaal near Diwali 2026, so the muhurat stands exactly as calculated.
What are the five days of Diwali 2026?
Day 1: Dhanteras, Friday November 6 — buying gold, silver or utensils. Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali, Saturday November 7 — pre-dawn Abhyanga Snan. Day 3: Lakshmi Puja / main Diwali, Sunday November 8. Day 4: Govardhan Puja / Annakut, Monday November 9. Day 5: Bhai Dooj, November 10 or 11 depending on region.
What is the cost of Diwali Puja at home?
Home Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja from ₹2,100, Lakshmi-Kubera Puja for businesses from ₹3,100, and an elaborate Diwali Puja with Sri Suktam and Kanakadhara Stotram from ₹5,100. All include Pandit dakshina, coordination, and samagri checklist.
What is the Lakshmi mantra chanted during Diwali Puja?
The primary mantra is the Lakshmi Beej Mantra "Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah", chanted 108 times during the puja. Many families pair it with the Ganesh mantra "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" first, to remove obstacles, and the Kubera mantra afterward, to help retain the wealth invoked.
Is there an eclipse near Diwali 2026?
No. The two solar eclipses of 2026 fall on February 17 and August 12, and the two lunar eclipses fall on March 3 and August 28 — none of them are anywhere near November 8. Diwali 2026 has no eclipse or Sutak Kaal to plan around.
How do I book a Pandit for Diwali Puja 2026?
Visit pujapurohit.in/puja-service/pandit-for-diwali-puja, select your city, choose your package, and confirm November 8, 2026 as your date. A verified Pandit is assigned within 30 minutes with WhatsApp confirmation and samagri checklist. Book 7–10 days early as Diwali is the single busiest booking period of the year.
