Diwali 2026: Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Date, Tithi and Auspicious Timings
Diwali is one of the most beautiful festivals in the Hindu calendar. Homes are cleaned and decorated, lamps are lit, families come together and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi, the Devi associated with prosperity, abundance and auspiciousness.
Among the many traditions associated with Diwali, Lakshmi Puja holds a special place. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi during the appropriate muhurat on Kartik Amavasya invites prosperity, harmony and well-being into the household.
But when exactly should we perform Lakshmi Puja in 2026? What is the significance of Pradosh Kaal? Why is Vrishabha Lagna considered particularly auspicious? And what should we keep in mind while observing the festival?
Let us look at the date, Panchang details and important Diwali 2026 timings.
When Is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
The main Lakshmi Puja is performed on Kartik Amavasya, the new moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. The evening period is particularly important because the traditional Lakshmi Puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal, the period beginning around sunset.
For 2026, the Amavasya Tithi begins on the morning of November 8 and continues into the following day.
This means that the evening of November 8 is the principal period for Diwali Lakshmi Puja.
Diwali 2026: Important Panchang Details
The following timings are calculated for New Delhi, India. Panchang timings, particularly Lagna and muhurat, vary according to geographical location.
Panchang Detail | Timing |
Diwali | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
Tithi | Kartik Amavasya |
Amavasya Tithi Begins | 11:27 AM, 8 November |
Amavasya Tithi Ends | 12:31 PM, 9 November |
Sunrise | 6:38 AM |
Sunset | 5:31 PM |
Pradosh Kaal | 5:31 PM – 8:09 PM |
Vrishabha Lagna | 5:54 PM – 7:50 PM |
These timings are based on the New Delhi Panchang calculations published for 2026.
Diwali 2026 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat
The main Lakshmi Puja Muhurat on Diwali 2026 is:
Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 5:54 PM – 7:50 PM
Duration: 1 hour 56 minutes
Pradosh Kaal: 5:31 PM – 8:09 PM
Vrishabha Lagna: 5:54 PM – 7:50 PM
This is the principal evening muhurat for household Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja in New Delhi.
It is especially significant because the period of Vrishabha Lagna overlaps with Pradosh Kaal while Amavasya Tithi is prevailing.
If you are planning your Diwali Puja, it is advisable to complete the necessary preparations beforehand so that the actual worship can be performed calmly within the prescribed period.
Why Is Pradosh Kaal Considered Auspicious for Lakshmi Puja?
Pradosh Kaal refers to the period around sunset. In the context of Diwali, it is especially important because Lakshmi Puja is traditionally performed during this evening period.
The word Pradosha is associated with the transition around sunset. It is a time when day gives way to night, and lamps are traditionally lit in homes and temples.
Diwali is observed on Amavasya, the new moon. The lighting of lamps on this darkest night carries a beautiful symbolism: light is brought into the darkness, both in the external surroundings and within one's own life.
For Lakshmi Puja, the traditional preference is to select a period when Pradosh Kaal coincides with a favourable fixed ascendant.
This brings us to Vrishabha Lagna.
Why Is Vrishabha Lagna Important for Diwali Lakshmi Puja?
In Vedic astrology, the twelve ascendants are classified into four broad categories:
Chara Rashi: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn
Sthira Rashi: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius
Dvisvabhava Rashi: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces
Vrishabha, or Taurus, is a Sthira Rashi. The word Sthira means fixed or stable.
For traditional Lakshmi Puja, a fixed ascendant is considered desirable because it symbolically represents stability and continuity. Prosperity is not merely about acquiring wealth; it is also about preserving resources, creating stability and maintaining abundance.
Taurus is ruled by Venus, or Shukra, in Vedic astrology. Venus is associated with comfort, material resources, beauty, refinement and enjoyment.
This makes Vrishabha Lagna a particularly meaningful choice for a puja centred on prosperity and household well-being.
In 2026, Vrishabha Lagna in New Delhi coincides with the principal Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM.
What Is Mahanishita Kaal on Diwali?
Some Panchang calculations also provide a separate muhurat during Mahanishita Kaal.
For New Delhi in 2026, the Mahanishita period is:
Mahanishita Kaal: 11:39 PM – 12:31 AM
Date: Night of 8–9 November 2026
Mahanishita is a special midnight period. It has particular significance in certain Shakta and Tantric traditions, including practices associated with Goddess Kali.
It is important to understand that this is not simply an alternative timing that every household must follow for its regular Lakshmi Puja.
For most householders observing the conventional Diwali Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja, the evening Pradosh Kaal Muhurat is the principal recommendation.
Those following specific Tantric or regional traditions should observe the instructions of their respective tradition and qualified practitioners.
How to Perform Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
Diwali Puja is traditionally performed with devotion, cleanliness and a sense of gratitude.
While the exact procedure may vary across regions and family traditions, a customary household Lakshmi Puja generally includes the following preparations.
1. Clean and prepare the home
Clean the house before the evening puja. Decorate the entrance with rangoli, flowers and lamps. Many families use mango leaves, marigold garlands and traditional torans.
The entrance is given particular attention because it represents the threshold through which people and auspiciousness enter the home.
2. Prepare the puja altar
Place the images or murtis of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on a clean platform. A red or yellow cloth is commonly used.
Keep the puja materials ready, including flowers, kumkum, turmeric, akshata, incense, a lamp, fruits and sweets.
3. Worship Lord Ganesha
Begin with the worship of Lord Ganesha, who is traditionally invoked before other auspicious undertakings.
Offer flowers, durva, incense and a lamp, according to your family tradition.
4. Worship Goddess Lakshmi
Offer flowers, kumkum, turmeric, akshata, sweets and a lit diya to Goddess Lakshmi.
Many families also worship Goddess Saraswati and Lord Kubera during Diwali, according to their regional and household customs.
5. Worship the household's wealth and instruments of work
In many traditions, people also worship their account books, business records, tools, instruments and other resources through which they earn their livelihood.
This practice is particularly important in communities that observe Chopda Puja, marking the beginning of a new accounting year.
6. Light the lamps
After the puja, light diyas around the home, near entrances, balconies and other appropriate places.
The lighting of lamps is one of the most recognisable traditions of Deepavali. It represents the invitation of light, clarity and auspiciousness into our surroundings.
Diwali 2026: Other Auspicious Choghadiya Timings
Apart from the principal Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, some Panchangs also list auspicious Choghadiya periods for the day.
For New Delhi, the published timings are:
Choghadiya Period | Timing |
Morning | 11:27 AM – 12:05 PM |
Afternoon | 1:26 PM – 2:48 PM |
Evening | 5:31 PM – 10:27 PM |
Night | 1:43 AM – 3:22 AM, 9 November |
Early Morning | 5:00 AM – 6:39 AM, 9 November |
These periods should not be confused with the specific Lakshmi Puja Muhurat. Choghadiya is a separate system of selecting auspicious time periods, and the purpose of an activity matters when choosing a muhurat.
For the main Diwali Lakshmi Puja, the evening Pradosh Kaal period overlapping with Vrishabha Lagna remains the principal timing discussed above.
What Is the Spiritual Significance of Diwali?
Diwali is more than an occasion for celebration and the exchange of gifts. Its symbolism is deeply connected with light, knowledge, prosperity and renewal.
The festival is associated with several traditional narratives. In one widely celebrated account, it commemorates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana.
Another important association is the appearance of Goddess Lakshmi during Samudra Manthana, the churning of the cosmic ocean.
Different regions and communities observe Diwali through their own traditions, stories and forms of worship. These traditions enrich the festival and remind us that Deepavali has many layers of religious and cultural meaning.
From the perspective of Vedic astrology, Diwali also falls during the Sun's transit through Libra, when the Moon reaches Amavasya. The conjunction of the Sun and Moon marks the new moon phase, while the festival's traditional timing is determined by the lunar calendar and the observance of Kartik Amavasya.
It is a fitting occasion to reflect on what prosperity means to us, how we use our resources and what kind of abundance we wish to cultivate in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diwali 2026
1. What is the date of Diwali in 2026?
Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
2. What is the Lakshmi Puja Muhurat in 2026?
For New Delhi, the main Lakshmi Puja Muhurat is from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM on 8 November 2026.
3. What is the Pradosh Kaal on Diwali 2026?
For New Delhi, Pradosh Kaal is from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM on 8 November 2026.
4. What is the significance of Vrishabha Lagna on Diwali?
Vrishabha is a fixed ascendant, or Sthira Lagna. Traditional muhurat selection favours fixed ascendants for certain auspicious activities because they symbolise stability and continuity. In 2026, Vrishabha Lagna coincides with the main evening Lakshmi Puja period in New Delhi.
5. When does Amavasya Tithi begin and end in 2026?
For New Delhi, Amavasya begins at 11:27 AM on 8 November and ends at 12:31 PM on 9 November 2026.
6. Is Mahanishita Kaal necessary for Lakshmi Puja?
No. Mahanishita Kaal is a special midnight period associated with certain Shakta and Tantric observances. For conventional household Lakshmi Puja, the principal recommendation is the evening Pradosh Kaal Muhurat.
7. Do Diwali Muhurat timings remain the same across India?
No. Sunrise, sunset, ascendant and other Panchang calculations depend on geographical location. Therefore, Lakshmi Puja timings can differ between cities. Always consult a Panchang calculated for your own location.
Welcoming Diwali with Awareness and Gratitude
Diwali is an opportunity to pause, reflect and begin again with a sense of hope.
As we light our lamps and worship Goddess Lakshmi, we can also reflect on the kind of prosperity we wish to invite into our lives. Wealth is meaningful when it brings stability, generosity, comfort and the ability to live with dignity.
May this Diwali bring clarity in our decisions, wisdom in the way we use our resources and harmony into our homes.
Wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous Diwali 2026.
Shubh Deepavali!
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