Introduction

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated every year on Kartik Amavasya, the new moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik. Families clean and decorate their homes, light diyas, draw rangoli, and worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Kubera for prosperity and good fortune. Since puja performed in the right muhurat is considered most auspicious, it helps to know the exact date and timings in advance. This guide covers the date, city-wise muhurat, the five-day festival calendar and a simple puja vidhi.

When Is Diwali in 2026?

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) in 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November. A few websites still show 20 October, but that is an error, and the authentic panchang date is 8 November. hindutonehindutone

Many people wonder why the date is not 9 November, since Amavasya continues into that morning. Lakshmi Puja is done in the evening during Pradosh Kaal, and the Amavasya present in that window falls on 8 November, so the evening rule decides the date. astromedha

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat and Pradosh Kaal

Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya is done during Pradosh Kaal, and the muhurat is the time when Vrishabha lagna is rising inside that window. Vrishabha (Taurus) is a fixed sign, so puja done in it is believed to bring wealth that stays. Since sunset differs across India, so does the muhurat. In New Delhi, the muhurat is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM, and Pradosh Kaal is 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM. In Mumbai, the muhurat is 6:27 PM to 8:27 PM. Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026 India, City-Wise: Diwali Timings for 30 Cities on Sunday 8 November +2

For other cities, the timings in your original content were: Chandigarh 5:52 PM to 7:46 PM, Noida 5:54 PM to 7:49 PM, Gurugram 5:55 PM to 7:51 PM, Jaipur 6:03 PM to 7:59 PM, Pune 6:24 PM to 8:24 PM, Ahmedabad 6:22 PM to 8:20 PM, Kolkata 5:20 PM to 7:18 PM, Hyderabad 6:07 PM to 8:08 PM, Chennai 6:07 PM to 8:09 PM and Bengaluru 6:17 PM to 8:20 PM. I could only verify Delhi and Mumbai against a standard panchang source, and these other cities follow the same pattern. Please confirm your own city’s time before publishing.

Amavasya Tithi and Nishita Kaal

According to the timings in your original content, Amavasya begins at 11:27 AM on 8 November and ends at 12:31 PM on 9 November. The sunrise of 9 November also carries Amavasya, which fits this. Be aware that different websites give different tithi times. One site shows Amavasya ending at 9:47 PM on 8 November, so check a trusted panchang before printing exact tithi times. astromedha

Nishita Kaal is the late-night window, chosen mainly by people who follow tantric or mantra-based worship. Your content gave it as 11:44 PM to 12:36 (midnight hours), and I have corrected “PM” to “AM” for the second time. Another panchang lists a slightly different late-night muhurat for one city, 11:25 PM to 12:15 AM, so the Nishita Kaal timing varies by location. For most families, the evening Pradosh Kaal muhurat is the right choice. drikpanchang

The Five Days of Diwali 2026

The festival begins with Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November, a day for buying utensils, gold or silver and for worshipping Dhanvantari and Kubera. Naraka Chaturdashi, also called Choti Diwali, comes next on 7 November, when diyas are lit outside the home. Some calendars place Choti Diwali on 8 November as well, so check your local panchang. azafashions

The main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday, 8 November. Govardhan Puja, which remembers Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan hill, is shown on 9 November by some sources and on 10 November by others. One panchang-based source lists Govardhan Puja on 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November. Another lists them on 9 and 10 November. Because Amavasya runs into the afternoon of 9 November, 10 and 11 November look more likely, but do confirm this locally. astromedhahindutone

Preparing for Lakshmi Puja

Begin by cleaning the house thoroughly, because Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit clean and welcoming homes. Decorate the main entrance with rangoli and a toran of mango leaves. Spread a red or yellow cloth on a wooden platform and place the Lakshmi and Ganesha idols in the north-east direction.

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For the puja you will need the idols or pictures, a kalash with mango leaves and a coconut, roli, rice, turmeric and kumkum, lotus or rose flowers, sweets, puffed rice, batashe and fruits, gangajal and panchamrit, ghee or oil diyas, incense and some coins. Traders also keep their new account books ready.

Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi

Take a bath and wear clean clothes. Set up the idols and the kalash on the platform, then take water, rice and flowers in your hand and make the sankalp, a resolve stating the purpose of the puja. Worship Lord Ganesha first, since every auspicious task begins with him. Then invoke Goddess Lakshmi, bathe the idol, and offer clothes, roli, rice, flowers and sweets. Worship Kubera and Goddess Saraswati as well. Light the ghee diyas, offer incense, and perform the Lakshmi aarti. Finally, distribute prasad and light diyas throughout the home with your family.

Lakshmi Mantras

Two mantras are commonly chanted. The first is “Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Prasid Prasid Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah”. The second is the Lakshmi Gayatri: “Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dhimahi, Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat”. Chanting each 108 times with devotion and correct pronunciation is considered ideal.

Do’s and Don’ts

Begin the puja within the muhurat, light diyas in every corner of the home, especially at the main door, donate sweets, clothes or food to those in need, and take blessings from elders. Avoid leaving the house dirty or dark, arguing or speaking harshly, and using stale flowers or a damaged idol. Please also avoid excessive firecrackers, since they harm air quality and animals.

An Eco-Friendly Diwali

Choose clay diyas, natural rangoli colours and quieter alternatives to crackers. This keeps the air cleaner and supports local potters and artisans.

Conclusion

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, and the best time for Lakshmi Puja is during Pradosh Kaal, ideally within the Vrishabha lagna window. Performed with devotion and in the right muhurat, the puja is believed to bring happiness, prosperity and peace to the home. Wishing you and your family a bright and joyful Diwali!