When exactly is Lakṣmī Pūjā?

On Kārtika amāvāsyā — the new-moon night in October or November (varies year to year). The exact pūjā muhūrta is during pradoṣa-kāla, roughly 1-1.5 hours after sunset, when the amāvāsyā tithi is in effect. Most published panchangs list the precise muhūrta for your location.

Should I worship Lakṣmī or Lakṣmī-Gaṇeśa together?

Together. Tradition holds that wealth (Lakṣmī) without wisdom and obstacle-removal (Gaṇeśa) is unstable, and Gaṇeśa is always invoked first in any pūjā. Both idols sit on the same altar; Gaṇeśa is worshipped first.

What if I cannot do the full shoḍaśopachāra pūjā?

Even a simple deepa (one earthen diyā), a flower, akṣata, and a heartfelt prayer to Lakṣmī is complete. The śāstras emphasise that bhāva (sincere devotion) outweighs ritual elaboration.

Why not gamble on Diwali if elders did?

The folk justification — 'Pārvatī blessed gamblers on Diwali' — is post-hoc, and gambling is now illegal in most Indian states. The dhārmic principle (Manu Smṛti, Yājñavalkya Smṛti) explicitly censures gambling as adharma. The five days are about Lakṣmī, not luck.

Can non-Hindus celebrate Diwali?

Puja Kit presents Diwali through Hindu household puja, lamps, sweets, family worship, and temple observance.

Do I need to fast on Diwali?

No — Diwali is a celebratory festival, not a vrata day. Many families do eat satvik food and avoid meat/alcohol on the day of Lakṣmī-pūjā out of respect, but there is no fasting requirement.

When is Diwali (Deepavali) in 2026?

Diwali (Deepavali) is listed for November 8, 2026 (Sunday) — Lakṣmī Pūjā evening in India. Always confirm local panchang or official holiday notices for regional date variations.

Is Diwali (Deepavali) a public holiday?

Public holiday status for Diwali (Deepavali) in India can vary by country, state, institution, and local calendar. Check official holiday notices for your location.

How is Diwali (Deepavali) celebrated at home?

Clean and decorate the home (especially the puja room and entrance) Make rangoli at the entrance Light diyas and place around the house On Lakshmi Puja night: install Lakshmi-Ganesha murtis, perform shodashopachara puja with…

What food or prasad is prepared for Diwali (Deepavali)?

Common foods and offerings include Kheer, Modak, Karanji, Mathri, Chakli.

What are the regional names of Diwali (Deepavali)?

Diwali (Deepavali) is also associated with names or regional forms such as दीपावली, Bengal: Kali Puja on Diwali night instead of Lakshmi Puja, Karnataka/Andhra: Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day, Gujarat: Chopda Pujan and Bestu Varas (new year on Govardhan day), South India: focuses on Naraka Chaturdashi pre-dawn ritual.

All Festivals

दीपावली · 5 days · Lakshmi, Ganesha, Rama, Kubera

Diwali (Deepavali)

Name: Diwali (Deepavali) 2026
Start: 2026-11-08
Location: India

Kartik Amavasya (October-November) · pan-india, diaspora

Quick Facts

2026 date: November 8, 2026 (Sunday) — Lakṣmī Pūjā evening
Country or region: India
Tradition: Hinduism, festivals-festival, Lakshmi
Public holiday: Varies by region
Duration: 5 days
Native or alternate name: दीपावली | Bengal: Kali Puja on Diwali night instead of Lakshmi Puja | Karnataka/Andhra: Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day

The Story

Multiple stories: (1) Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and Ravana's defeat; (2) Lakshmi emerging from samudra-manthan; (3) Krishna defeating Narakasura; (4) Vamana confining Bali; (5) Lakshmi Puja and Krishna defeating Narakasura.

History & Scriptural Sources

Diwali — Dīpāvalī, 'a row of lights' — is among the oldest of Hindu festivals, with references dating to the Skanda Purāṇa, Padma Purāṇa, and Bhaviṣya Purāṇa. The festival has accumulated multiple foundational stories that all converge on the same essential theme: light overcoming darkness. The most-popular account, drawn from the Rāmāyaṇa and Tulsidās's Rāmacaritamānas, holds that Diwali commemorates Sri Rāma's return to Ayodhyā after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Rāvaṇa. The citizens lit rows of clay lamps to welcome the rightful king home — a tradition that survives unbroken into the 21st century.

A second story, equally ancient, is from the Bhāgavata Purāṇa: Kṛṣṇa slew the demon Narakāsura on Kārtika kṛṣṇa caturdaśī (the day before Diwali), liberating sixteen thousand captive princesses. South India remembers this aspect most clearly — in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, and Karnataka, Naraka Caturdaśī is itself the chief day of the festival, with pre-dawn oil baths to symbolise the cleansing of evil.

A third strand connects Diwali to Lakṣmī's emergence from the Samudra Manthan (the cosmic churning of the ocean). She chose Viṣṇu as her consort and flowed forth as the principle of auspicious abundance. On Kārtika amāvāsyā — the new-moon night that anchors Diwali — Lakṣmī is said to roam the earth, entering homes that have been cleaned, lit, and prepared to receive her. This is the basis for the night-long lighting, the Lakṣmī-pūjā at the moment of pradoṣa-kāla, and the careful avoidance of sleep until the puja is complete.

Puja Kit presents Diwali as a Hindu festival centered on Lakshmi Puja, Rama, Krishna, Ganesha, and auspicious light.

Philosophical Meaning

At its symbolic core, Diwali is about lighting the inner lamp. Every external diyā is a reminder of the dīpaka of awareness within. The Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad's prayer 'tamaso mā jyotir gamaya' — 'lead me from darkness to light' — is Diwali's mantra in compressed form. The festival is also Lakṣmī's homecoming: spiritual prosperity is honoured first (clean home, ethical wealth, generosity), and material prosperity is invited to follow. The five-day arc moves through health (Dhanteras, with Dhanvantari), inner cleansing (Naraka Caturdaśī), abundance (Lakṣmī-pūjā), gratitude for nature (Govardhan), and family bonds (Bhāī Dūj) — a complete framework for a life worth lighting.

Five-Day Cycle

1
Dhanteras (Dhanvantari Trayodashi)
Kartik krishna trayodashi
Buying gold/silver/utensils; worship of Dhanvantari (Ayurveda) and Kubera
2
Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)
Kartik krishna chaturdashi
Pre-dawn oil bath; commemorates Krishna's killing of Narakasura
3
Lakshmi Puja / Diwali
Kartik amavasya
Main night — Lakshmi-Ganesha puja; lighting of diyas; firecrackers
4
Govardhan Puja / Annakut
Kartik shukla pratipada
Krishna lifting Govardhan hill; 56-bhog offering; new year for many businesses
5
Bhai Dooj / Yama Dvitiya
Kartik shukla dvitiya
Brother-sister bond; sister's tilak and prayers for brother's long life

Day-of Timeline

Pre-festival week
Deep clean every corner of the home (the lazy-Lakṣmī avoids dust). Repaint walls if possible. Buy new clothes for every member of the household. Stock dry fruits, sweets, samagri.
Day 1 — Dhanteras (Kārtika kṛṣṇa trayodaśī)
Buy gold, silver, copper, or steel utensils — even one small item — to bring Lakṣmī into the home. Light a single diyā at the south-facing entrance for Yamadeepa to ward off untimely death. Worship Dhanvantari (Ayurveda's deity) for health.
Day 2 — Naraka Caturdaśī (Choṭī Diwali)
Pre-dawn oil-bath (abhyaṅga snāna) commemorating Krishna's slaying of Narakāsura. Apply uṭana (turmeric-besan paste) before bathing. Light fewer diyās at night than on the main day. Visit family.
Day 3 — Lakṣmī Pūjā (Kārtika amāvāsyā)
Bath, fresh clothes, draw rangoli at the entrance, hang toraṇ. At pradoṣa-kāla (about 1.5 hours after sunset), perform Lakṣmī-Gaṇeśa pūjā with shodaśopachāra. Recite Śrī Sūkta and Lakṣmī Aṣṭakam. Light all diyās throughout the home, leave them burning through the night. Burst crackers (where permitted; eco-conscious families increasingly prefer fewer). Distribute sweets to neighbours and elders.
Day 4 — Govardhan / Annakūṭ (Kārtika śukla pratipadā)
Many businesses begin a new financial year. Govardhan-pūjā honours Krishna's lifting of Govardhan hill — a small clay-mountain is built and worshipped at home or in temples. The Annakūṭ ('mountain of food') offering of 56 dishes (chappan-bhog) is made.
Day 5 — Bhāī Dūj / Yama Dvitīyā (Kārtika śukla dvitīyā)
Sisters apply tilak to brothers, perform aarti, feed them sweets. Brothers give gifts and reaffirm their lifelong duty to protect their sisters. Yama and Yamunā's story of fraternal love is recited.

Vidhi · How It's Done

Clean and decorate the home (especially the puja room and entrance)
Make rangoli at the entrance
Light diyas and place around the house
On Lakshmi Puja night: install Lakshmi-Ganesha murtis, perform shodashopachara puja with kumkum, akshat, flowers, naivedya (sweets, kheer, makhana)
Recite Sri Suktam, Lakshmi Ashtottara, Lakshmi Ashtakam, Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
Open new account books / Chopda Pujan (in Gujarati tradition)
Distribute sweets, light fireworks, exchange gifts

Samagri Checklist

· Earthen diyās (a few dozen at minimum; large homes traditionally light 5,11,21 or 108)
· Cotton wicks (batti) and pure ghee or sesame oil (preferred over mustard for puja-diyās)
· Lakṣmī and Gaṇeśa idols or framed images (new ones installed at this year's puja)
· Roli, akṣata (unbroken rice with turmeric), kumkum, sandalwood paste
· Fresh flowers — marigold, lotus (if available), rose petals
· Kalaśa with water, mango leaves, and a coconut
· Pañcāmṛta (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
· Naivedya — kheer, ladoo, dry fruits, sweets
· Brand new account books / chopdā for Chopdā Pūjā (Gujarati tradition)
· Silver coins or gold for Lakṣmī's seat
· Camphor, dhupa, agarbatti
· Decorations — toraṇ of mango leaves and marigold for the door, rangoli powder, fairy lights

Key Mantras

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
Sri Suktam (Rig Veda Khila)
Lakshmi Ashtottara

Dos

· Clean every corner of the home in the days leading up — Lakṣmī enters where dust does not
· Light at least one diyā at the main entrance and one at the puja altar
· Perform Lakṣmī-pūjā at pradoṣa-kāla (the prescribed hour 1-1.5 hours after sunset)
· Distribute sweets to neighbours, elders, household help, watchmen
· Visit elders, take their blessings, invite them home
· Buy at least one small new utensil or item on Dhanteras
· Open new account books on Govardhan day (for businesses)

Don'ts

· Don't gamble for stakes — though the practice is traditional, it is now illegal in many states and breaks dharmic guidance
· Don't sleep through the Lakṣmī-pūjā moment (pradoṣa-kāla)
· Don't burst noisy or polluting firecrackers — most cities now have restrictions, and the dhārmic teaching is for ahiṃsā, not violence to the environment or to street animals
· Don't drink alcohol or eat tāmasik food on the day of Lakṣmī-pūjā
· Don't lend money on Diwali day (folk tradition says lent money never returns)
· Don't sweep the house after Lakṣmī-pūjā — she has just entered, do not symbolically push her out

Bhog · Festival Foods

Kheer · Modak · Karanji · Mathri · Chakli · Besan ladoo · Boondi ladoo · Mathura peda

Regional Variants

· Bengal: Kali Puja on Diwali night instead of Lakshmi Puja
· Karnataka/Andhra: Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day
· Gujarat: Chopda Pujan and Bestu Varas (new year on Govardhan day)
· South India: focuses on Naraka Chaturdashi pre-dawn ritual
· Hindu regional family worship
· Lakshmi Puja and temple worship

Including Children

Diwali is the festival children remember most vividly. Involve them in drawing rangoli (give them a corner of the doorway to design themselves), arranging diyās, decorating the house, choosing the new puja items, and distributing sweets to neighbours. Children should hear the Rāmāyaṇa story on day three — even a five-minute retelling of Sri Rāma's return creates a lifelong frame for the festival. Avoid heavy or loud firecrackers; sparklers and ground-wheels are safe and just as joyful. Most importantly, let them participate in the Lakṣmī-pūjā itself — a child placing a flower on the deity is a memory that does not fade.

For NRI & Diaspora Families

NRIs can recreate Diwali fully even far from India. Order diyās from any Indian-grocery store or online (clay diyās ship dry; LED tealights are an acceptable substitute). Marigold flowers are seasonal but rose petals or any fresh flower will do. The puja can be performed at the prescribed hour in your local timezone — the spiritual significance follows the household, not Indian Standard Time. Coordinate with local mandirs for community Lakṣmī-pūjā if you prefer the social dimension. For children growing up abroad, make Diwali the moment to introduce one or two new Hindu practices each year — a Sanskrit verse, a story, a recipe — so the tradition deepens rather than dilutes.

Frequently Asked

When exactly is Lakṣmī Pūjā?: On Kārtika amāvāsyā — the new-moon night in October or November (varies year to year). The exact pūjā muhūrta is during pradoṣa-kāla, roughly 1-1.5 hours after sunset, when the amāvāsyā tithi is in effect. Most published panchangs list the precise muhūrta for your location.
Should I worship Lakṣmī or Lakṣmī-Gaṇeśa together?: Together. Tradition holds that wealth (Lakṣmī) without wisdom and obstacle-removal (Gaṇeśa) is unstable, and Gaṇeśa is always invoked first in any pūjā. Both idols sit on the same altar; Gaṇeśa is worshipped first.
What if I cannot do the full shoḍaśopachāra pūjā?: Even a simple deepa (one earthen diyā), a flower, akṣata, and a heartfelt prayer to Lakṣmī is complete. The śāstras emphasise that bhāva (sincere devotion) outweighs ritual elaboration.
Why not gamble on Diwali if elders did?: The folk justification — 'Pārvatī blessed gamblers on Diwali' — is post-hoc, and gambling is now illegal in most Indian states. The dhārmic principle (Manu Smṛti, Yājñavalkya Smṛti) explicitly censures gambling as adharma. The five days are about Lakṣmī, not luck.
Can non-Hindus celebrate Diwali?: Puja Kit presents Diwali through Hindu household puja, lamps, sweets, family worship, and temple observance.
Do I need to fast on Diwali?: No — Diwali is a celebratory festival, not a vrata day. Many families do eat satvik food and avoid meat/alcohol on the day of Lakṣmī-pūjā out of respect, but there is no fasting requirement.
When is Diwali (Deepavali) in 2026?: Diwali (Deepavali) is listed for November 8, 2026 (Sunday) — Lakṣmī Pūjā evening in India. Always confirm local panchang or official holiday notices for regional date variations.
Is Diwali (Deepavali) a public holiday?: Public holiday status for Diwali (Deepavali) in India can vary by country, state, institution, and local calendar. Check official holiday notices for your location.
Why is Diwali (Deepavali) celebrated?: At its symbolic core, Diwali is about lighting the inner lamp. Every external diyā is a reminder of the dīpaka of awareness within.
How is Diwali (Deepavali) celebrated at home?: Clean and decorate the home (especially the puja room and entrance) Make rangoli at the entrance Light diyas and place around the house On Lakshmi Puja night: install Lakshmi-Ganesha murtis, perform shodashopachara puja with…
What food or prasad is prepared for Diwali (Deepavali)?: Common foods and offerings include Kheer, Modak, Karanji, Mathri, Chakli.
What are the regional names of Diwali (Deepavali)?: Diwali (Deepavali) is also associated with names or regional forms such as दीपावली, Bengal: Kali Puja on Diwali night instead of Lakshmi Puja, Karnataka/Andhra: Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day, Gujarat: Chopda Pujan and Bestu Varas (new year on Govardhan day), South India: focuses on Naraka Chaturdashi pre-dawn ritual.

Greetings in Indian Languages

hindi

शुभ दीपावली · Śubha Dīpāvalī

marathi

दिवाळीच्या शुभेच्छा · Diwāḷīchyā Śubhecchā

tamil

தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள் · Dīpāvaḷi Nalvāḻttukkaḷ

telugu

దీపావళి శుభాకాంక్షలు · Dīpāvaḷi Śubhākāṅkṣalu

kannada

ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು · Dīpāvaḷi Śubhāśayagaḷu

gujarati

દિવાળીની શુભકામનાઓ · Divāḷīnī Śubhakāmnāo

bengali

শুভ দীপাবলি · Śubha Dīpābali

punjabi

ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਭਰੀ ਦਿਵਾਲੀ · Khuśīāṃ Bharī Divālī

Panchang Notes

Diwali falls on Kārtika amāvāsyā — the darkest night of the lunar year. The astrological logic: when the moon withdraws, the inner light must shine. The tithi is technically a Rikta-class day (4-9-14 + amāvāsyā are inauspicious for new beginnings), but the specific Lakṣmī-tantra of this night transforms the otherwise-cautionary tithi into the most-charged moment for goddess-energy. Pradoṣa-kāla — the ~1.5 hours just after sunset — is the prescribed muhūrta. Choghaḍiyā tables show the auspicious slots within that window for each city.

Dates · Next 5 Years

2026	November 8, 2026 (Sunday) — Lakṣmī Pūjā evening
2027	October 29 (Friday)
2028	October 17 (Tuesday)
2029	November 5 (Monday)
2030	October 26 (Saturday)
	Dates are pre-computed from Drik panchanga; for any given location, the local pradoṣa-kāla muhūrta should be confirmed against your city's panchang.

Interesting Facts

· The Indian government legally protects Diwali leave for all employees nationwide — one of only two festivals (with Holi) with this status
· The largest Diwali celebrations outside India are in Leicester (UK), Singapore, and Trinidad — each drawing 50,000+ revellers annually
· On Diwali night the lighting in north India is visible from low-earth-orbit satellites — confirmed by NASA and ISRO imagery
· Lakshmi-Ganesh idols made in Bhīlwāḍā (Rajasthan) and Khurjā (UP) account for nearly 80% of the all-India market
· Onion and garlic are traditionally avoided in the Lakṣmī-pūjā prasād — they are tāmasik foods unsuited to a sattvik occasion
· The 'gambling' folk-tradition derives from a misread of Pārvatī's dice-game with Śiva in the Skanda Purāṇa — which was a love-game, not a wagering one

Useful Next Steps

Puja Kit · Mapped kit

Lakshmi Puja Kit — Diwali

Diwali Lakshmi-Ganesh set — 11 clay diyas, Rangoli stencils, Shringar, lotus seeds & prosperity offerings.

Samagri · Mapped samagri

Hand-Thrown Clay Diyās

Unglazed terracotta lamps from a Kumhar atelier in Khurja — biodegradable.

Samagri · Mapped samagri

Desī Cow Ghee Diyās (Ready-to-Light)

Pre-filled clay diyās with A2 desī ghee and cotton wick, for instant lighting.

Samagri · Mapped samagri

Cotton Battī Wicks (Round)

Hand-rolled long-burning round cotton wicks for diyās.

Samagri · Mapped samagri

Saffron-Dyed Long Wicks

Saffron-dyed long wicks for festive ārati lamps.

Samagri · Mapped samagri

Marigold Garlands (Fresh)

Same-day fresh marigold garlands threaded by hand.

Devotional Text · Mantra / Vedic Hymn

Shri Suktam

Vedic hymn to Goddess Lakshmi. Chanted to attract wealth, prosperity, beauty and all-round abundance. Recited in Lakshmi homa.

Panchang · Confirm local timing

Daily Panchang

Check tithi, nakshatra, rahu kaal, sunrise, and daily ritual timing.

Panchang · Auspicious timing

Muhurat Finder

Find auspicious windows for puja, sankalpa, and important beginnings.

Answer · Deeper guide

Rama Returns to Ayodhya: Diwali Story, Meaning, and Family Learning

Rama return to Ayodhya explainer connecting Diwali, lamps, dharma, homecoming, and family learning.

Answer · Deeper guide

Diwali Lakshmi Puja Meaning & Rituals

Learn Diwali Lakshmi Puja meaning, muhurat, samagri, home preparation, step-by-step vidhi, mantras, offerings, and blessings for a clear home puja.

Related Festivals

Connected festival

Govardhan Puja (Annakut)

गोवर्धन पूजा / अन्नकूट

Connected festival

Bhai Dooj (Bhai Phonta)

भाई दूज

Connected festival

Tulsi Vivah

तुलसी विवाह

Connected festival

Kartik Purnima

कार्तिक पूर्णिमा

Sources & References

Skanda Purana and Padma Purana Diwali references
Used for the Kartik Amavasya, lamps, and Lakshmi Puja tradition baseline.
Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana narrative baselines
Used for Rama's return, Narakasura, Krishna, and Govardhan story layers.
PujaKit Hindu Festival Calendar 2026
Internal calendar baseline lists Diwali on November 8, 2026 and recommends local Lakshmi Puja muhurat confirmation.
PujaKit ritual-commerce-map.json
Used only for route-visible Lakshmi Puja kit and samagri mapping.

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