When Is Diwali in 2026? Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat

Diwali is the one festival that gets the whole family planning weeks ahead. Homes are cleaned, sweets are ordered, shops are decorated and, most importantly, the evening puja is prepared. But every year the same question comes first: which day is Diwali, and when exactly should the puja be done?

In 2026, Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November. This guide explains the date, the five-day festival calendar, how the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is chosen, what you need for the puja, and how to arrange a pandit if you cannot do the ritual yourself.

Diwali 2026 Date at a Glance

Diwali, also called Deepavali, is celebrated on the new moon night (Amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartik in the Amanta calendar, known as Ashwin in the Purnimanta calendar. In 2026, that night falls on Sunday, 8 November.

Most panchangs agree on the date. What differs is the puja timing, because sunset and Pradosh Kaal change from city to city. This is why a family in Mumbai and a family in Delhi may light their lamps at slightly different times on the same day.

The Five Days of Diwali 2026

Diwali is not one day but a five-day festival, and each day has its own puja.

• Dhanteras: Two days before Diwali. Families worship Lord Dhanvantari, Maa Lakshmi and Kuber, and many buy gold, silver, utensils or a Shree Yantra. A Dhanteras puja is also a popular time to buy a new chopda.
• Narak Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali or Kali Chaudas): The day before Diwali, marked by an early morning oil bath and lamps lit in the evening.
• Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Sunday, 8 November 2026. This is the main day for Lakshmi Ganesh Pujan, Chopda Pujan and Sharda Pujan.
• Govardhan Puja and Annakut: Monday, 9 November 2026, when an abundant offering of food is made in gratitude.
• Bhai Dooj: The sibling festival that closes the celebration, a couple of days after Diwali.

In Gujarat and parts of western India, the new year (Bestu Varas) begins right after Diwali, so the new account books are taken into use then. Check your local panchang for the exact date in your region.

How Is the Diwali Puja Muhurat Decided?

Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening, during Pradosh Kaal, the period after sunset when the Amavasya tithi is present. Many traditions also prefer Sthira Lagna, the Taurus rising sign, because it is associated with stability of wealth.

For 2026, published timings place the Lakshmi Puja window in the early evening, roughly between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM depending on the city. For example, one panchang gives about 5:47 PM to 7:13 PM for Delhi and about 6:18 PM to 7:44 PM for Mumbai. Other calculators differ by a few minutes because they use different methods.

The practical advice is simple: do not rely on a single general time. Use the muhurat for your own city, or ask a pandit who will calculate it for your location. Families outside India should ask for the muhurat in their local time zone.

Which Pujas Are Done on Diwali?

Different households and businesses perform different rituals on the same evening.

Lakshmi Ganesh Pujan. The main Diwali puja at home. Ganesha is worshipped first to remove obstacles, followed by Maa Lakshmi for prosperity.

Chopda Pujan (Sharda Pujan). Traders and business owners worship new account books, draw a Swastik and write “Shubh Labh” on the first page. It is especially popular in Gujarati, Marwari and Jain communities.

Kuber Puja. Often performed with Lakshmi Puja to invoke the lord of wealth.

Diwali office and shop puja. Businesses worship the cash box, ledgers and workplace to begin the year auspiciously.

Govardhan Puja. Performed the next day with an offering of many food items.

Diwali Puja Samagri Checklist

Having everything ready before the muhurat keeps the puja calm. A typical Diwali samagri list includes:

• Lakshmi, Ganesh and Saraswati idols or photographs
• Kalash (a pot filled with water) with mango leaves and a coconut
• Kumkum, haldi, akshat (rice) and kalava (mauli)
• Flowers, garlands, supari and betel leaves
• Diyas, ghee, cotton wicks, incense and camphor
• Fruits, sweets and prasad
• Coins, currency notes and, for traders, new account books and a pen

Some families prefer to book a puja that includes samagri, so no item is missed at the last minute.

Simple Steps to Perform Lakshmi Puja at Home

1. Clean the house and puja area, and decorate the entrance with rangoli.
2. Place the idols or photographs of Lakshmi and Ganesha on a clean cloth, facing east or north.
3. Take a sankalp, a resolve stating your name, location and purpose.
4. Worship Ganesha and the Kalash first.
5. Offer flowers, rice, sweets and coins to Maa Lakshmi while chanting her mantras.
6. Conclude with aarti and distribute prasad.

The exact vidhi can vary by family, community and region, so follow the tradition you grew up with.

When Should You Arrange a Pandit?

Many families prefer a pandit for Diwali, especially if they are unsure of the vidhi, have moved to a new city, or are performing Chopda Pujan for a business. Diwali evening is the busiest time of the year for priests, and everyone wants the same muhurat. Booking early gives you a better choice of experienced pandits and avoids last-minute stress.

When you look for a pandit for Diwali puja near you, check three things: experience in your specific ritual, the language they conduct it in, and how they will confirm the muhurat for your city. Today you can also book a pandit online for a guided puja at home or at your shop, or arrange an online Lakshmi Puja if family members live abroad.

Conclusion

Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November, and the puja time is the evening Pradosh Kaal. The most important step is to confirm the muhurat for your own city, gather your samagri in advance and decide early whether you will perform the ritual yourself or invite a pandit. A little planning helps the whole family enjoy the festival with peace of mind.