Written by the Vandanam editorial team, with inputs from our panel of verified Vedic pandits. Last updated September 2026. Timings are for New Delhi IST — confirm your locality’s muhurat with a pandit closer to the date.
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November. Lakshmi Puja is performed that evening. Most families use the Pradosh Kaal muhurat in the early evening; traders doing bahi-khata (chopda) pujan often prefer the later Nishita Kaal around midnight. This guide gives both windows, the five-day calendar, and how to prepare.
Lakshmi Puja muhurat on 8 November 2026 (New Delhi)
| Muhurat | Approx. window | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pradosh Kaal Lakshmi Puja | ~6:29 PM – 8:29 PM | Most households; done in Vrishabha (fixed) lagna |
| Nishita Kaal Puja | ~11:55 PM – 12:45 AM | Traders, chopda / bahi-khata pujan, tantrik traditions |
Diwali 2026 five-day calendar
| Day | Date | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | 6 November | Dhanvantari & Lakshmi-Kubera puja; buying metal/utensils |
| Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi | 7 November | Abhyanga snan, Yam deepam, Hanuman puja |
| Diwali — Lakshmi Puja | 8 November | Ganesh-Lakshmi pujan in the evening muhurat |
| Govardhan Puja / Annakut | 9 November | Govardhan and Annakut offering |
| Bhai Dooj | 10 November | Bhai Dooj tilak |
How to prepare for Lakshmi Puja
- Clean and light the whole home — Lakshmi is said to enter a clean, well-lit house.
- Set the puja sthan in the north-east: a red cloth on a chowki, idols/photos of Ganesha (to Lakshmi’s left) and Lakshmi, with Kubera and Saraswati if you worship them.
- Kalash with water, a coin, whole rice, betel nut and five leaves; a coconut on top.
- Offerings: kamal gatta, batasha, kheel, roli, akshat, lotus or marigold flowers, seasonal fruit, sweets, and a silver coin or new currency note.
- Diyas — an odd number, kept lit through the evening; one placed near the cash box or safe.
- For businesses: keep the ledgers, cash box or laptop in the puja area for the bahi-khata pujan.
Order of the puja
- Sankalp and aachman
- Ganesh pujan, then Kalash pujan
- Navagraha and Shodash Matrika smaran
- Lakshmi invocation and shodashopachar pujan (16 offerings)
- Kubera, Saraswati and, for traders, bahi-khata / dawaat-kalam pujan
- Lakshmi aarti, followed by Ganesh aarti; distribute prasad
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact Lakshmi Puja time for Diwali 2026?
In New Delhi the Pradosh Kaal window is roughly 6:29 PM to 8:29 PM on 8 November 2026. Confirm the fixed-lagna sub-window for your city with a pandit.
Should I do the puja in Pradosh or Nishita Kaal?
Households generally use Pradosh Kaal in the early evening. Nishita Kaal (midnight) is traditional for traders and chopda pujan.
Can the pandit cover my home and my shop the same evening?
Yes, with back-to-back slots. Book early — Diwali is the most in-demand night of the year.
Which direction should the deities face?
Place the deities so that you face east or north-east while performing the puja.
Book a pandit for Diwali Lakshmi Puja
Vandanam arranges verified Vedic pandits for Diwali Lakshmi Puja at home and shops across Delhi NCR, at the correct muhurat and with full samagri. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 87964 76233, or see the Diwali Lakshmi Puja page. For a wealth puja any time of year, see Lakshmi Kubera Puja.