Diwali 2026: Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Vidhi and Ganesha Lakshmi Idol Guide
, by Vedansh Craft, 9 min reading time
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, November 8. Get the Lakshmi Puja muhurat, step by step vidhi, the five day calendar and a Ganesha Lakshmi idol guide.
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, the main day of the five day festival of lights, when families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha in the evening, light diyas across the home, and welcome prosperity for the year ahead. This guide covers the Lakshmi Puja muhurat, the five days of Diwali, a step by step puja vidhi, a samagri checklist, and how to choose Ganesha Lakshmi idols and brass diyas that you can keep on your home altar year after year.
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali, or Deepavali, is on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on the Amavasya of the dark fortnight of Kartik. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening during Pradosh Kaal, ideally in Vrishabha Lagna, which is considered a stable, fixed lagna for inviting Lakshmi into the home.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026
Approximate Lakshmi Puja windows on November 8 for major cities are:
| City | Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 5:47 PM to 7:13 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:18 PM to 7:44 PM |
| Bengaluru | 6:07 PM to 7:33 PM |
Panchang sources calculate these windows slightly differently, and the timing moves with each city's sunset, so check a local panchang for your exact muhurat.
The Five Days of Diwali 2026
- Dhanteras: Friday, November 6. Families worship Lakshmi, Kubera, and Dhanvantari and buy something new. See our Dhanteras 2026 guide.
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali): Saturday, November 7 in many calendars, and Sunday, November 8 in some.
- Diwali and Lakshmi Puja: Sunday, November 8.
- Govardhan Puja: Tuesday, November 10, with a few calendars showing Monday, November 9.
- Bhai Dooj: Wednesday, November 11, with a few sources showing Tuesday, November 10.
Panchang sources still differ by a day for Naraka Chaturdashi, and a few calendars show Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj a day earlier. Our Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj 2026 guide explains why those two dates move and gives the muhurat, the puja vidhi, and brass gift ideas. For all dates, follow your local panchang or family priest.
Why is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated for several reasons across India. In the Ramayana tradition, it marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, which you can read about in our Dussehra 2026 guide. In another tradition, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the ocean and is worshipped on this night for wealth and prosperity. Across all traditions, the festival stands for the victory of light over darkness.
Lakshmi Puja Vidhi at Home: Step by Step
- Clean and decorate the home. Clean the house, draw rangoli at the entrance, and hang a toran on the door.
- Set up the altar. Spread a clean red or yellow cloth and place your Lakshmi and Ganesha idols or images on it. Keep a kalash filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut.
- Take the sankalp. Hold water and akshat (unbroken rice) in your right hand, state the date and purpose of the puja, and release the water.
- Worship Ganesha first. Ganesha is worshipped at the start of any ritual as the remover of obstacles. Offer flowers, kumkum, and akshat.
- Invoke Goddess Lakshmi. Offer kumkum, akshat, and flowers, preferably lotus or red flowers, along with sweets, fruit, and coins.
- Chant and recite. Recite a Lakshmi mantra or Shri Suktam. Our post on the Lakshmi mantra explains its meaning.
- Light the diyas. Light diyas at the altar, the entrance, the windows, and around the home.
- Perform aarti. Finish with aarti for Ganesha and Lakshmi, and share prasad with the family. Business families also perform a Chopda Pujan for their account books.
Diwali Puja Samagri List
- Lakshmi and Ganesha idols or images
- A red or yellow cloth for the altar
- A kalash with water, mango leaves, and a coconut
- Kumkum, akshat, sandalwood paste, and turmeric
- Flowers, preferably lotus or red blooms, and garlands
- Diyas, ghee or oil, cotton wicks, incense, and camphor
- Sweets, fruit, and coins for the offering
- A bell for aarti
Why Ganesha and Lakshmi are Worshipped Together
On Diwali, Ganesha and Lakshmi are worshipped as a pair. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom, and Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The idea is simple: Ganesha clears the path and Lakshmi brings abundance through it, with wisdom guiding how it is used. This is why a combined Ganesha Lakshmi set is one of the most popular buys at Diwali. You can read more in our posts on the idols of Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Saraswati and how different Lakshmi statues carry different meanings.
How to Choose Ganesha Lakshmi Idols for Diwali
- Decide between a set and individual idols. A matched Ganesha Lakshmi set sits together neatly on the altar, while separate idols let you mix sizes.
- Match the size to your altar. Idols of 2 to 5 inches suit a small home mandir, while larger pieces work better in a dedicated puja room.
- Choose brass for a permanent altar. Brass idols are not immersed. You worship them each Diwali and daily afterwards, and they develop a richer finish with regular care.
- Check the weight and detailing. Solid brass feels heavy for its size, and hand finished detailing in the crown and ornaments is a sign of quality.
Ganesha Lakshmi Idols to Consider
- Brass Sitting Ganesha and Lakshmi Set Idol (2.5 or 3 Inch), a compact pair available in two sizes, well suited to a home altar or gifting.
- Brass Sitting Ganesha and Lakshmi Set Idol (2 or 2.25 Inch), a smaller, budget friendly set.
- Brass Sitting Goddess Lakshmi Idol (4.5 Inch), a classic seated Lakshmi that pairs well with a Ganesha idol you already own.
Diyas and Decor for the Diwali Altar
- Brass Standing Deep Lakshmi Pair (5 Inch), a best selling pair to place on either side of the altar or entrance.
- Brass Devi Kamakshi Diya (6.2 Inch), a handcrafted lamp for the evening puja.
- Brass Divine Four Petal Diya (5.5 Inch), a statement diya for the main altar.
- Brass Ethnic Peacock Diya (4.8 Inch), a lighter single wick diya for tables and windowsills.
- Brass Ganesha Lakshmi Round Door Lock with Three Keys (3 Inch), a festive touch for the puja room door.
Caring for Brass After Diwali
After the festival, wipe your idols and diyas gently, clean off any oil or soot, and store them dry. Our guide on cleaning brass, copper, and kansa utensils has easy, safe methods, and our post on attracting good luck and wealth as per Vaastu has ideas for arranging your home altar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, when Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening.
What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Diwali 2026?
Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening Pradosh Kaal. In Delhi the window is roughly 5:47 PM to 7:13 PM, in Mumbai roughly 6:18 PM to 7:44 PM, and in Bengaluru roughly 6:07 PM to 7:33 PM. Check a local panchang for your city.
What are the five days of Diwali 2026?
The five days are Dhanteras on November 6, Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on November 8, Govardhan Puja on November 10, and Bhai Dooj on November 11. The date for Naraka Chaturdashi differs by a day between panchangs, and a few calendars show Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj a day earlier.
Which gods are worshipped on Diwali?
Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are the main deities worshipped on Diwali. Many families also worship Lord Kubera, and Lord Rama is remembered for his return to Ayodhya.
Why are Lakshmi and Ganesha worshipped together?
Ganesha removes obstacles and Lakshmi brings wealth and prosperity, so worshipping them together represents a clear path to abundance guided by wisdom.
Can I keep brass Ganesha Lakshmi idols at home after Diwali?
Yes. Brass idols are not immersed. They are worshipped on Diwali and kept on the home altar for daily puja afterwards.
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