Diwali 2026: Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Why It Falls on Amavasya and How to Perform the Puja at Home

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most awaited night of the Hindu year. It falls on the darkest night of the month, Kartik Amavasya, and yet it is the brightest celebration we have. In this guide we look at why Diwali is celebrated, why Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this night, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for 2026, and a simple way to perform the puja at home.

Diwali 2026 at a Glance

• Lakshmi Puja (main Diwali): Sunday, 8 November 2026
• Lakshmi Puja muhurat: 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM (New Delhi)
• Pradosh Kaal: 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM
• Amavasya tithi: begins 11:27 AM on 8 November and ends 12:31 PM on 9 November

Timings are for New Delhi. They change by a few minutes in other cities, so check your local panchang.

Diwali is a five-day festival. It opens with Dhanteras on 6 November, followed by Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi), the main Lakshmi Puja on 8 November, Govardhan Puja on 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.

Why Do We Celebrate Diwali?

The best-known story of Diwali comes from the Ramayana. After fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Mata Sita and Lakshmana. The people of Ayodhya lit rows of diyas across the city to welcome them home. That is why, even today, we light lamps in every corner of the house: they stand for the victory of light over darkness and of dharma over adharma.

Why Do We Worship Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali?

Diwali is equally the night of Goddess Lakshmi. According to the Puranas, she emerged during the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean, and chose Lord Vishnu as her consort. Lakshmi represents prosperity, fortune and abundance, but also harmony and stability. It is believed that on the night of Diwali she visits homes that are clean, lit and welcoming, which is why the evening puja is so important.

Why Is Diwali Celebrated on Amavasya?

Diwali falls on the Amavasya of the Kartik month, the new moon night when the Moon is not visible in the sky. Astrologically, the Moon represents the mind. On Amavasya the Moon and Sun are together and the mind turns inward, so lighting a diya on this darkest night carries a powerful meaning: awakening inner wisdom and replacing ignorance with knowledge.

Diwali 2026: When Should You Perform Lakshmi Puja?

Lakshmi Puja is best performed during Pradosh Kaal, the period just after sunset, ideally when the fixed (sthir) Vrishabha lagna is rising. A fixed lagna is believed to help the blessings of Lakshmi stay in the home. For New Delhi, the most auspicious window on Sunday, 8 November 2026 is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM.

How Should You Prepare Your Home for Lakshmi Puja?

1. Clean the whole house, especially the puja area and the main entrance.
2. Decorate the doorway with a toran of marigolds and mango leaves, and make a rangoli at the entrance.
3. Draw small footprints of Goddess Lakshmi walking into the home with rice flour or kumkum.
4. Set up a clean altar on a red or yellow cloth with idols or pictures of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

What Should You Keep for Lakshmi Puja?

• Fresh flowers, especially lotus and marigold
• Kumkum, haldi and akshat (unbroken rice)
• A kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut
• Incense, and ghee or mustard oil diyas
• Fruits, kheer, batashe and sweets for prasad
• Coins, jewellery, account books or business records, kept near the altar as a symbol of gratitude

How to Perform Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

1. During the muhurat, light the main diya and sit facing east or north.
2. Begin with Lord Ganesha: offer flowers, durva and sweets, and pray for the removal of obstacles.
3. Worship Goddess Lakshmi with kumkum, akshat, flowers and prasad. Place the coins and account books in front of her.
4. Chant a Lakshmi mantra such as "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" 108 times, or read the Shri Suktam according to your family tradition.
5. Perform the aarti together as a family, then distribute prasad.
6. Light diyas at the entrance, windows and every corner of the home, and keep one diya burning through the night.

What Should You Really Ask Goddess Lakshmi For?

Diwali is not only about praying for money. Ask for wisdom in financial decisions, stability in your career, peace within your family and the ability to use prosperity responsibly. In astrology, lasting wealth comes from a strong 2nd and 11th house supported by a balanced Jupiter and Venus, and that is exactly the balance this night invites.

This Diwali, Invite More Than Just Wealth Into Your Life

Every person's financial and spiritual journey is different. The same Diwali can bring a career jump for one person and a time to save and rebuild for another, depending on the planets and dashas in their birth chart.

Plan Your 2027 With Your Own Chart

As the new year approaches, our 2027 Year Ahead Report maps your coming year month by month from your own Kundali: your Dasha, Naadi transits, twelve monthly forecasts and remedies made for you. If you have a specific question about money, career or family, you can also book a Kundali Reading with our astrologers.

Wishing you and your family a very happy, bright and prosperous Diwali.