Diwali 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, and the best time for Lakshmi Puja in New Delhi is from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM. This window falls in the evening Pradosh Kaal and overlaps with Vrishabha Kaal, which is considered the most auspicious time to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into the home.
Since the puja time depends on local sunset, the muhurat changes from city to city. Here is the complete guide to the best time for Diwali puja in 2026, along with city-wise timings, other auspicious windows and a simple puja vidhi.
Diwali 2026 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat at a Glance
| Diwali date | Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
| Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (New Delhi) | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM (1 hour 56 minutes) |
| Pradosh Kaal | 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM |
| Vrishabha Kaal | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM |
| Mahanishita Kaal | 11:39 PM to 12:31 AM (November 9) |
| Simha Kaal | 12:25 AM to 2:42 AM (November 9) |
| Amavasya Tithi begins | 11:27 AM, November 8 |
| Amavasya Tithi ends | 12:31 PM, November 9 |
All timings are for New Delhi as per Drik Panchang. Timings for other cities are given below.
Is Diwali on November 8 or 9 in 2026?
Many people are confused because the Amavasya tithi runs across two days, from 11:27 AM on November 8 to 12:31 PM on November 9. Lakshmi Puja is always done in the evening when Amavasya is present during Pradosh Kaal, the period just after sunset.
On November 9, Amavasya ends in the afternoon, before sunset. On November 8, Amavasya is present through the whole evening. That is why Diwali and Lakshmi Puja will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026, as per Drik Panchang and most major panchangs.
Best Time for Diwali Puja 2026: Which Muhurat to Choose?
There are several auspicious windows on Diwali night, and each one is suited to a different kind of puja.
1. Pradosh Kaal with Vrishabha Lagna (Best for Homes)
The most recommended time for Lakshmi Puja at home is the window when Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Kaal overlap. In New Delhi, this is from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM.
Vrishabha (Taurus) is a “sthir” or fixed lagna. It is believed that doing Lakshmi Puja in a fixed lagna helps Goddess Lakshmi stay in the home, bringing lasting wealth and peace. This is why most families and pandits prefer this time.
2. Pradosh Kaal (If You Miss the Main Muhurat)
If you cannot start the puja within the main muhurat, the wider Pradosh Kaal from 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM is still considered auspicious for Lakshmi Puja.
3. Mahanishita Kaal (For Tantric and Special Puja)
Mahanishita Kaal, the deep night period from 11:39 PM to 12:31 AM, is mainly meant for tantric rituals, Kali Puja and puja done by experienced priests. It is not usually recommended for regular family puja.
4. Simha Lagna (Midnight Fixed Lagna)
Simha (Leo) is another fixed lagna that falls between 12:25 AM and 2:42 AM on November 9. Some families and businesses that follow late-night traditions perform puja during this time.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026: City-Wise Timings
| City | Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (November 8) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM |
| Noida | 5:54 PM to 7:49 PM |
| Gurgaon | 5:55 PM to 7:51 PM |
| Chandigarh | 5:52 PM to 7:46 PM |
| Jaipur | 6:03 PM to 7:59 PM |
| Lucknow | 5:43 PM to 7:39 PM |
| Varanasi | 5:37 PM to 7:34 PM |
| Patna | 5:28 PM to 7:25 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:20 PM to 7:18 PM |
| Guwahati | 5:02 PM to 6:58 PM |
| Bhopal | 6:03 PM to 8:01 PM |
| Indore | 6:10 PM to 8:08 PM |
| Nagpur | 5:59 PM to 7:58 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 6:22 PM to 8:20 PM |
| Surat | 6:25 PM to 8:24 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:27 PM to 8:27 PM |
| Pune | 6:24 PM to 8:24 PM |
| Hyderabad | 6:07 PM to 8:08 PM |
| Bengaluru | 6:17 PM to 8:20 PM |
| Chennai | 6:07 PM to 8:09 PM |
Timings may differ by a minute or two between panchangs. If your city is not listed, choose the nearest big city or check with your local pandit.
Choghadiya Muhurat on Diwali 2026
Shops and businesses often follow Choghadiya timings for Chopda Pujan, the worship of new account books. The auspicious Choghadiya windows on November 8 in New Delhi are:
| Period | Timing |
|---|---|
| Morning | 11:27 AM to 12:05 PM |
| Afternoon | 1:26 PM to 2:48 PM |
| Evening | 5:31 PM to 10:27 PM |
| Night | 1:43 AM to 3:22 AM (November 9) |
| Early morning | 5:00 AM to 6:39 AM (November 9) |
Panchang experts advise that for Lakshmi Puja at home, the Pradosh and Vrishabha Kaal muhurat should be preferred over Choghadiya timings.
Diwali 2026: Five-Day Festival Dates
| Day | Festival | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dhanteras | Friday, November 6 |
| Day 2 | Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) | Saturday, November 7 |
| Day 3 | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Sunday, November 8 |
| Day 4 | Govardhan Puja | Tuesday, November 10 |
| Day 5 | Bhai Dooj | Wednesday, November 11 |
This year, November 9 falls between Diwali and Govardhan Puja because the Amavasya tithi continues until the afternoon of that day.
Simple Lakshmi Puja Vidhi at Home
- Clean the house and puja area in the morning, and decorate the entrance with rangoli, flowers and a toran.
- Take a bath before the puja and wear clean, preferably new clothes.
- Place a red or yellow cloth on a wooden chowki and keep idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on it. Many families also keep Goddess Saraswati and Lord Kuber.
- Place a kalash filled with water, with mango leaves and a coconut on top, near the idols.
- Light a ghee diya and start by worshipping Lord Ganesha, as every puja begins with him.
- Offer kumkum, haldi, rice, flowers, sweets, fruits, kheel-batashe and coins to Goddess Lakshmi.
- Chant the Lakshmi mantra “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah” and read the Lakshmi Aarti.
- Do the aarti with the whole family, then light diyas around the house, at the main door and on the balcony.
Lakshmi Puja Samagri List
- Idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
- Red or yellow cloth and a wooden chowki
- Kalash, mango leaves and coconut
- Ghee or oil diyas, cotton wicks and camphor
- Kumkum, haldi, sandalwood paste and rice (akshat)
- Flowers, especially lotus and marigold
- Kheel, batashe, sweets and fruits
- Coins, notes or jewellery for worship
- Incense sticks, dhoop and a bell
Things to Keep in Mind on Diwali
- Start the puja within the muhurat for your city, even if the full ritual continues after it ends.
- Keep the main door open or slightly open during the puja, as it is believed Goddess Lakshmi enters a clean, well-lit home.
- Keep at least one diya burning through the night if it is safe to do so.
- Avoid arguments, and keep the home clean and peaceful on the festival day.
- Burst crackers safely and follow your local rules on timing and green crackers.
FAQs
What is the best time for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali 2026?
The best time in New Delhi is from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM on Sunday, November 8, 2026, when Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Kaal overlap.
Is Diwali 2026 on November 8 or 9?
Diwali is on Sunday, November 8, 2026, because the Amavasya tithi is present during the evening Pradosh Kaal on that day.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Mumbai on Diwali 2026?
The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Mumbai is from 6:27 PM to 8:27 PM on November 8.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Kolkata on Diwali 2026?
The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Kolkata is from 5:20 PM to 7:18 PM on November 8.
Can Lakshmi Puja be done at midnight?
Yes. Mahanishita Kaal (11:39 PM to 12:31 AM) and Simha Lagna (12:25 AM to 2:42 AM) are also auspicious, but they are mainly used for special and tantric pujas. For family puja at home, the evening muhurat is recommended.
When does Amavasya start and end on Diwali 2026?
Amavasya begins at 11:27 AM on November 8 and ends at 12:31 PM on November 9, 2026.
Disclaimer: The muhurat timings in this article are based on Drik Panchang and other popular panchangs and are given for general information. Timings may vary slightly by location and tradition. Please check with your family pandit or local panchang before performing the puja.