Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November. The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Pradosh Kaal is approximately 6:25 PM to 8:30 PM IST (Delhi). This guide gives the complete Lakshmi Puja vidhi at home, the samagri list, the Lakshmi aarti and the meaning behind each step.
Diwali, the festival of lights, centres on the Lakshmi Puja — worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity and good fortune. On the night of Kartik Amavasya, households across India clean their homes, light diyas, draw rangoli and invite the goddess in. This guide explains the complete puja, from preparation to the closing aarti.
When Is Diwali and Lakshmi Puja in 2026?
| Day | Date (2026) |
| Dhanteras | Friday, 6 November |
| Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) | Saturday, 7 November |
| Diwali — Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, 8 November |
| Govardhan Puja | Monday, 9 November |
Lakshmi Puja muhurat: approximately 6:25 PM to 8:30 PM IST on 8 November, within Pradosh Kaal (New Delhi). Timings vary by city with local sunset, and some families — especially traders performing Chopda Pujan — prefer the midnight Nishita Kaal. Please confirm with your local Panchang.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
| Occasion | Diwali night, the Amavasya (new moon) of Kartik |
| Deities worshipped | Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha; many families also worship Kubera |
| Main purpose | To welcome Lakshmi and seek prosperity for the year ahead |
| Key rituals | Cleaning the home, setting up the altar, lighting diyas, mantras and aarti |
| Duration | Typically 1–2 hours |
| Best time | Pradosh Kaal, the period beginning at sunset |
Why Is Lakshmi Puja Performed on Diwali?
Tradition holds that on Diwali night Goddess Lakshmi visits homes that are clean, well-lit and filled with devotion. According to popular belief, Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk during the Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean by the gods and demons, and Diwali honours her appearance. The festival also marks Rama’s return to Ayodhya after his fourteen years of exile, when the city lit lamps to welcome him. In Bengal and eastern India, the same night is celebrated as Kali Puja.
Lakshmi is always worshipped together with Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, reflecting the belief that wealth should be accompanied by wisdom.
How Do You Prepare for Lakshmi Puja at Home?
- Clean your home thoroughly: Lakshmi is believed to dwell where there is cleanliness. Declutter and clean every room.
- Decorate with rangoli: Draw rangoli at the entrance, and small footprints of the goddess leading inside towards the altar.
- Light diyas: Place diyas at the entrance, windows and every corner to dispel darkness.
- Set up the altar: Spread a red or yellow cloth on a raised platform (chowki), ideally in the north-east of the home, and place Ganesha on the left and Lakshmi on the right.
- Arrange the samagri: Keep all puja items ready before the muhurat begins.
What Samagri Is Needed for Lakshmi Puja?
| Puja Item | Purpose |
| Idols or pictures of Lakshmi and Ganesha (clay, silver or brass) | Main deities for worship |
| Kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut | Symbol of purity and abundance |
| Red or yellow cloth | To cover the altar |
| Diyas, ghee or oil, and incense | Light and fragrance |
| Lotus and other flowers, garlands | Decoration; the lotus is Lakshmi’s flower |
| Coins or currency notes | Symbolic offering of wealth |
| Sweets, fruits and dry fruits; kheer or laddoo | Prasad |
| Rice (akshat), turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood | Tilak and worship |
| Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar) | Ritual bathing and offering |
| Account books or ledgers (for businesses) | Chopda Pujan |
What Is the Step-by-Step Lakshmi Puja Vidhi?
Step 1: Purify the Space
- Sprinkle Ganga jal over the puja area and yourself.
- Light the lamp and incense, and take a sankalp (resolve) for the puja.
Step 2: Worship Lord Ganesha
- Begin with Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Offer flowers, durva grass, rice and sweets, and chant:
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
Step 3: Kalash Sthapana
- Place the kalash filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut wrapped in red cloth, and mark it with turmeric and kumkum.
Step 4: Invoke Goddess Lakshmi
- Invite the goddess with her mantra:
Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah - Offer panchamrit, then clean water; apply kumkum and sandalwood; offer lotus flowers, rice and coins before the idol.
Step 5: Offer Prasad
- Offer sweets, fruits and dry fruits, and light diyas around the house.
Step 6: Recite Lakshmi’s Names or Stotra
- Recite the Shri Suktam, the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, or the 108 names of Lakshmi.
Step 7: Worship Account Books (Chopda Pujan)
- Business families worship new account books, ledgers or laptops, often writing Shubh Labh and a swastika on the first page, to begin the new financial year auspiciously.
Step 8: Aarti
- Sing the Lakshmi aarti below, waving the lamp and ringing a bell.
Lakshmi Aarti (Om Jai Lakshmi Mata)
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jaya Lakshmi Mata।
Tumako Nishidina Sevata, Hari Vishnu Vidhata॥
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata॥
Uma, Rama, Brahmani, Tuma Hi Jaga-Mata।
Surya-Chandrama Dhyavata, Narada Rishi Gata॥
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata॥
Durga Rupa Niranjani, Sukha Sampatti Data।
Jo Koi Tumako Dhyavata, Riddhi-Siddhi Dhana Pata॥
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata॥
Tuma Patala-Nivasini, Tuma Hi Shubhadata।
Karma-Prabhava-Prakashini, Bhavanidhi Ki Trata॥
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata॥
Jisa Ghara Mein Tuma Rahatin, Saba Sadguna Ata।
Saba Sambhava Ho Jata, Mana Nahin Ghabarata॥
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata॥
Tuma Bina Yajna Na Hote, Vastra Na Koi Pata।
Khana-Pana Ka Vaibhava, Saba Tumase Ata॥
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata॥
Shubha-Guna Mandira Sundara, Kshirodadhi-Jata।
Ratna Chaturdasha Tuma Bina, Koi Nahin Pata॥
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata॥
Mahalakshmiji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Jana Gata।
Ura Ananda Samata, Papa Utara Jata॥
Om Jaya Lakshmi Mata॥
The aarti calls Lakshmi Kshirodadhi-jata, “born of the ocean of milk”, and says that none of the fourteen jewels (ratna chaturdasha) that emerged from the churning could be obtained without her. After the aarti, distribute prasad to family and guests.
Why Do Families Perform Lakshmi Puja at Home?
- Prosperity: Devotees pray for Lakshmi’s blessings of wealth and wellbeing for the year ahead.
- Light over darkness: The diyas of the new-moon night symbolise dispelling ignorance.
- Family unity: The whole family worships together, strengthening bonds.
- A fresh start: For many business communities, Diwali begins the new financial year.
What Should You Do After the Puja?
- Distribute prasad to family, guests and neighbours.
- Exchange greetings and visit elders for blessings.
- Keep one diya burning through the night, safely placed away from curtains and children.
- Give to those in need — charity is traditionally part of Diwali.
Tips for Lakshmi Puja at Home
- Avoid arguments and keep the atmosphere peaceful on Diwali.
- Use ghee diyas where possible.
- Set up the altar in the north-east of the home, and sit facing east or north during the puja.
- Keep the main door open for a while after the puja, following the belief that Lakshmi enters at this time.
- Ring a bell rather than clapping during the aarti, as many traditions advise.
What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Lakshmi Puja?
Lakshmi Puja is a reminder of the balance between material and spiritual wealth. Lakshmi is honoured as the giver of dhan (wealth) but also of good fortune, beauty and virtue, and worshipping her with Ganesha expresses the belief that prosperity should rest on wisdom and righteousness. Performed with gratitude, the puja is as much about thankfulness for the year past as hope for the year ahead.
Conclusion
This Diwali, on Sunday, 8 November 2026, celebrate not only with lights and sweets but with a Lakshmi Puja performed with devotion. Each diya lit and each mantra chanted is an invitation to the goddess into a clean, bright and grateful home.
May Goddess Lakshmi bless your home with health, happiness and prosperity. 🪔
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali Lakshmi Puja in 2026?
Diwali Lakshmi Puja 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, the night of Kartik Amavasya. The Pradosh Kaal muhurat is approximately 6:25 PM to 8:30 PM IST in New Delhi; timings vary by city with local sunset, so devotees should confirm with a local Panchang.
What is Pradosh Kaal on Diwali?
Pradosh Kaal is the twilight period that begins at sunset and lasts roughly two and a half hours, and it is considered the most auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali when it overlaps with the Amavasya tithi. On 8 November 2026, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat within Pradosh Kaal is approximately 6:25 PM to 8:30 PM IST.
What samagri is needed for Lakshmi Puja?
Lakshmi Puja samagri includes idols or pictures of Lakshmi and Ganesha, a kalash with water, mango leaves and coconut, a red or yellow cloth, diyas and incense, lotus and other flowers, coins, rice, turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood, panchamrit, and sweets or fruits for prasad.
Why is Ganesha worshipped before Lakshmi?
Ganesha is worshipped before Lakshmi because he is the remover of obstacles, honoured at the start of every Hindu ritual. On Diwali the two are worshipped together, with Ganesha on the left and Lakshmi on the right, reflecting the belief that wealth should be accompanied by wisdom.
What mantra is chanted during Lakshmi Puja?
The mantra most commonly chanted during Lakshmi Puja is Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah, after first chanting Om Gam Ganapataye Namah to Ganesha. Devotees also recite the Shri Suktam, the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam or the 108 names of Lakshmi, and close with the aarti Om Jai Lakshmi Mata.
What should be offered to Goddess Lakshmi?
Goddess Lakshmi is traditionally offered lotus flowers, rice, kumkum, coins, panchamrit, and sweets such as kheer, laddoo or batashe, along with fruits and dry fruits. The lotus is especially associated with her, as she is depicted seated or standing on one.
Why is Diwali celebrated on Amavasya?
Diwali is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya, the darkest new-moon night of the month, because the lighting of lamps on the darkest night symbolises the victory of light over darkness. Tradition links the night to Rama’s return to Ayodhya, when the city lit lamps to welcome him, and to the worship of Lakshmi.
What is Chopda Pujan?
Chopda Pujan is the worship of new account books performed by business families, especially in Gujarat and among trading communities, on Diwali. The ledgers are marked with Shubh Labh and a swastika and worshipped with Lakshmi to begin the new financial year auspiciously, often at the later Nishita Kaal muhurat.
Which direction should I face during Lakshmi Puja?
Traditionally the altar is set up in the north-east of the home, and the person performing the puja sits facing east or north. Ganesha is placed on the left and Lakshmi on the right on a raised platform covered with a red or yellow cloth.
What is done after Lakshmi Puja?
After Lakshmi Puja, families distribute prasad, exchange greetings, visit elders and give to those in need, and many keep one diya burning through the night. Any lamp left burning overnight should be placed safely away from curtains, children and pets.
