Diwali 2026 Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India. Known as the festival of lights, Diwali symbolises the victory
of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm as families decorate their homes with diyas, colourful rangolis, flowers and lights, exchange sweets and gifts, and worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for happiness, wealth and prosperity.
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In 2026, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8. The main celebration takes place on Kartik Amavasya, when devotees perform Lakshmi Puja during the evening Pradosh Kaal. This occasion is considered auspicious for seeking blessings for financial stability, success, peace and prosperity.
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For business communities, particularly in Gujarat, Diwali also holds special significance because of Chopda Pujan, during which new account books are worshipped to mark an auspicious beginning to the new financial year.
Diwali 2026 Date and Day
Diwali 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, across India. The festival falls on Kartik Amavasya, the new moon day of the Hindu lunar calendar.
The five-day Diwali celebration traditionally begins with Dhanteras and continues through Kali Chaudas, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Different regions follow their own customs and festival calendars.
Diwali 2026 Details
- Festival: Diwali / Deepawali
- Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Tithi: Kartik Amavasya
- Main Puja: Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
- Significance: Wealth, prosperity, happiness and the victory of good over evil
Diwali 2026 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat
Lakshmi Puja is the most important religious ritual performed on Diwali. According to Hindu traditions, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi during Pradosh Kaal, particularly when Vrishabha Lagna prevails, is considered auspicious.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026
- Diwali Date: November 8, 2026 (Sunday)
- Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 6:22 PM to 8:20 PM
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour 58 minutes
- Pradosh Kaal: 5:58 PM to 8:32 PM
- Vrishabha Lagna: 6:22 PM to 8:20 PM
- Amavasya Tithi Begins: 11:27 AM on November 8
- Amavasya Tithi Ends: 12:31 PM on November 9
City-Wise Lakshmi Puja Muhurat Timings On November 8, 2026
- Ahmedabad: 6:23 PM – 8:21 PM
- Bengaluru: 6:19 PM – 8:20 PM
- Bhopal: 6:04 PM – 8:01 PM
- Chandigarh: 5:53 PM – 7:47 PM
- Chennai: 6:08 PM – 8:09 PM
- Gurugram: 5:56 PM – 7:51 PM
- Guwahati: 5:02 PM – 6:57 PM
- Hyderabad: 6:09 PM – 8:08 PM
- Indore: 6:11 PM – 8:08 PM
- Jaipur: 6:04 PM – 7:59 PM
- Kanpur: 5:47 PM – 7:42 PM
- Kolkata: 5:21 PM – 7:19 PM
- Lucknow: 5:44 PM – 7:39 PM
- Mumbai: 6:28 PM – 8:27 PM
- Nagpur: 6:00 PM – 7:58 PM
- Noida: 5:55 PM – 7:50 PM
- Patna: 5:29 PM – 7:25 PM
- Pune: 6:25 PM – 8:25 PM
- Ranchi: 5:32 PM – 7:29 PM
- Varanasi: 5:38 PM – 7:33 PM
- Bhubaneswar: 5:35 PM – 7:33 PM
- New Delhi: 5:55 PM – 7:50 PM
Why Is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali has several religious, historical and mythological associations. The most popular Hindu belief connects the festival with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile and defeating Ravana.
According to the Ramayana, the people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana by lighting rows of oil lamps. The entire kingdom was illuminated to celebrate their return. This tradition is believed to be one of the origins of Diwali celebrations.
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Another important significance of Diwali is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, who represents wealth, fortune, abundance and prosperity. Devotees believe that offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi on Amavasya brings blessings and happiness to the household.
Diwali also represents the victory of righteousness over evil and reminds people to overcome negativity, ignorance and darkness through truth, wisdom and positive actions.
Religious Significance of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is an essential part of Diwali celebrations. Both deities are worshipped together because they represent important aspects of a prosperous and successful life.
- Goddess Lakshmi: She is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, prosperity, fortune and abundance. Devotees worship her to seek financial stability, happiness, success and blessings for their families.
- Lord Ganesha: Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom and auspicious beginnings. His blessings are sought before starting new activities and important ventures.
- Goddess Saraswati: She represents knowledge, wisdom, learning and creativity. Many families and business communities also worship Goddess Saraswati during Diwali to seek knowledge and intellectual growth.
- Lord Kubera: Lord Kubera is traditionally worshipped as the guardian of wealth. Devotees pray for financial security, stability and prosperity.
Diwali 2026 Puja Vidhi: How to Perform Lakshmi Puja at Home
Lakshmi Puja is traditionally performed during the evening hours of Diwali. Families clean and decorate their homes, prepare the puja area and arrange the necessary samagri before beginning the rituals.
Here is a simple traditional Lakshmi Puja Vidhi:
- Clean the entire house, especially the entrance and prayer area.
- Decorate the main entrance with rangoli, flowers and torans.
- Prepare a clean platform and place idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.
- Spread a red or yellow cloth and arrange the puja items.
- Offer flowers, kumkum, rice, fruits, sweets and other traditional offerings.
- Light diyas and incense sticks in the puja area.
- Worship Lord Ganesha first and seek his blessings for removing obstacles.
- Perform Goddess Lakshmi Puja by offering flowers, sweets and prayers.
- Worship Goddess Saraswati and Lord Kubera according to family traditions.
- Recite Lakshmi mantras and perform Lakshmi Aarti.
- After the puja, families distribute prasad and sweets and light diyas throughout their homes.
Diwali 2026 Puja Samagri: Essential Items for Lakshmi Puja
Before performing Lakshmi Puja, devotees should arrange the essential puja materials.
Some commonly used items include:
- Idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
- Red or yellow cloth
- Kumkum and turmeric
- Akshat (unbroken rice)
- Fresh flowers and garlands
- Incense sticks and camphor
- Ghee or oil diyas
- Panchamrit
- Fruits and sweets
- Betel leaves and betel nuts
- Coconut
- Kalash
- Coins and currency notes
- Gangajal
- Rangoli materials
The exact puja materials may vary according to regional customs and family traditions.
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Chopda Pujan 2026: Importance for Business Owners and Traders
Chopda Pujan is one of the most important Diwali traditions in Gujarat and among Gujarati business communities.
On Diwali, traders, shopkeepers, entrepreneurs and business owners worship their account books, ledgers and financial records. New account books are placed before Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, and prayers are offered for business growth, financial stability and success in the coming year.
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This ritual is also known as Sharda Pujan in some traditions and represents a fresh beginning for businesses.
Many business owners perform Chopda Pujan during the auspicious Diwali evening muhurat. They also worship calculators, computers, cash registers and other tools associated with their profession.
Why Do People Light Diyas on Diwali?
Lighting diyas is one of the most beautiful and meaningful traditions of Diwali. Homes, temples, streets and public places are decorated with rows of traditional oil lamps.
The diya represents knowledge, hope, positivity and the victory of light over darkness. Lighting lamps is also associated with welcoming Goddess Lakshmi into the home.
Traditionally, people place diyas near the entrance, balconies, windows, prayer rooms and courtyards. Some families also prepare special rangolis and decorate their homes with flowers to create a welcoming atmosphere.
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Diwali 2026: Astrological Significance
From a Vedic astrology perspective, Diwali holds special religious and spiritual importance because it coincides with Amavasya, the new moon day. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this occasion for wealth, prosperity and financial well-being.
Many devotees consider Diwali an auspicious time to pray for new beginnings, financial growth, career development and harmony in relationships.
In traditional astrological practices, the planetary positions, birth chart and individual horoscope are also considered when selecting auspicious timings for important activities. However, the main purpose of Diwali is devotion, gratitude, positive thinking and the pursuit of prosperity through righteous actions.
Diwali 2026: What Should You Do for Wealth and Prosperity?
According to traditional beliefs, certain practices are considered auspicious during Diwali.
- Keep your home and workplace clean and organised.
- Perform Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja during the appropriate muhurat.
- Light traditional diyas around your home.
- Offer prayers for the happiness and well-being of your family.
- Perform charity and help people who are in need.
- Begin new financial records and business activities according to your traditions.
- Avoid unnecessary arguments, negativity and excessive expenditure.
- Practise gratitude and maintain financial discipline.
These practices reflect the traditional values of Diwali and encourage people to welcome the new year with positivity and responsibility.
Diwali 2026: Five-Day Festival Calendar
The five-day Diwali festival includes several important occasions, each having its own religious and cultural significance.
Dhanteras – Friday, November 6, 2026
The festival begins with Dhanteras, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari. Purchasing gold, silver and new utensils is a popular tradition.
Kali Chaudas – Saturday, November 7, 2026
Also known as Narak Chaturdashi in several regions, this day is associated with spiritual protection, the removal of negativity and the victory of good over evil.
Diwali and Lakshmi Puja – Sunday, November 8, 2026
The main festival is celebrated with diyas, rangolis, family gatherings, sweets and Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja.
Govardhan Puja – Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Govardhan Puja commemorates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from heavy rainfall. Annakut offerings are prepared in many temples.
Bhai Dooj – Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Bhai Dooj celebrates the special relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for the long life, happiness and well-being of their brothers.
Festival observances and regional names may differ across communities.
How Is Diwali Celebrated Across India?
Diwali is celebrated in different ways across India, with each region following its own traditions and customs.
In North India, the festival is closely associated with Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya. Homes are decorated with diyas, and people perform Lakshmi Puja and exchange sweets.
In Gujarat, Diwali is particularly important for business communities. Chopda Pujan is performed, followed by Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year, which is traditionally observed on the following day in the Gujarati calendar.
In Maharashtra, families celebrate the festival with traditional sweets, oil baths, lamps and family gatherings.
In South India, Naraka Chaturdashi has particular significance, with early morning oil baths, traditional food and celebrations marking the defeat of Narakasura.
Despite regional differences, the central message of Diwali remains the same: happiness, togetherness, prosperity and the triumph of good over evil.
Diwali 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, bringing families and communities together for one of India’s most cherished festivals. The celebration of Lakshmi Puja, lighting diyas, performing Chopda Pujan and sharing happiness with loved ones makes this occasion deeply meaningful.
The festival is not only about wealth and material prosperity but also about inner peace, knowledge, gratitude and positive beginnings. By following traditional rituals and spreading kindness, people celebrate the true spirit of Diwali and welcome a brighter future.
