Diwali 2026 Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Vidhi & Rudraksha Guide

Quick answer: The Diwali 2026 date is Sunday, 8 November 2026, which is Kartik Amavasya. The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in New Delhi is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM, during Pradosh Kaal. Timings change from city to city, so check yours before you begin.

At a glance

1. Dhanteras: Friday, 6 November
2. Diwali and Lakshmi Puja: Sunday, 8 November
3. Bhai Dooj: Tuesday, 10 November

Diwali is just over five weeks away, and homes across India are getting ready. If you are planning your puja, you probably have a few simple questions. What is the exact date? When should you sit for Lakshmi Puja? What do you need to buy? And where do sacred items like Rudraksha fit in?

This guide answers all of that in plain language. We are Harshiv Ganga, based in Haridwar, and we have written it the way we would explain it to a family member.

Diwali 2026 Date and the Five-Day Calendar

Many people search "when is Diwali in 2026?" and see slightly different answers. That is because Diwali is not one day but five. The main day, Lakshmi Puja, falls on Kartik Amavasya, the new moon night. The 2026 Diwali date for this main day is Sunday, 8 November. The Amavasya tithi starts at about 11:28 AM that day and runs until about 12:31 PM on 9 November, so it covers the evening puja time across India.

Dhanteras is the traditional day to bring home something new and auspicious. Many families choose a 7 mukhi rudraksha or an 8 mukhi rudraksha for the home mandir.

Why do some calendars show different days? A festival is tied to a tithi (lunar day), and a tithi can begin or end in the middle of a normal day. So some panchangs place Choti Diwali on 8 November, Govardhan Puja on 10 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November. They are describing the same tithis in different ways. If your family panchang differs, follow it. The main Diwali date 2026, 8 November, is the same in every major calendar.

Why Is Diwali in 2026 Later Than Usual?

If the Diwali 2026 date feels late to you, you are right. Last year Diwali fell in late October. This year it comes about 19 days later.

The reason is the Hindu calendar. It follows the moon, and twelve lunar months are about 11 days shorter than a solar year. To keep festivals in their right seasons, an extra lunar month called Adhik Maas is added every two to three years. In 2026 it came between mid-May and mid-June, and it pushed every festival after it a little later, including Diwali.

So nothing is wrong with your calendar. It is working as designed, and the later date gives you more time to prepare. If you plan to bring home a 7 mukhi rudraksha, traditionally linked with Goddess Mahalakshmi, or an 8 mukhi rudraksha, linked with Lord Ganesha, you can choose it, cleanse it and keep it ready well before the puja.

When Is Lakshmi Puja? Best Time for Diwali Puja

Lakshmi Puja is performed on the evening of Sunday, 8 November. The best time for Diwali puja is Pradosh Kaal, the twilight period that begins after sunset and lasts about two hours and twenty-four minutes.

Inside Pradosh Kaal, most panchangs pick a narrower slot when Vrishabha (Taurus) lagna is rising. This is a "fixed" sign, and tradition says that a puja done in a fixed lagna invites steady, lasting prosperity.

Here are the New Delhi timings, as reported from Drik Panchang:

• Pradosh Kaal: 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM
• Lakshmi Puja muhurat: 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM
• Amavasya tithi: about 11:28 AM on 8 November to 12:31 PM on 9 November

Sunset is different in every city, so these times shift. Haridwar, Mumbai and Kolkata can differ from Delhi by several minutes, and in some cases by close to an hour. Please check the exact time for your city on Drik Panchang before you begin.

Some families, especially traders who perform Chopda Pujan (worship of new account books), prefer Mahanishita Kaal around midnight. For a regular family puja, Pradosh Kaal is simpler and widely recommended.

Once you know the Diwali 2026 date, timing is the next thing to plan. Bathe, dress and set up your altar before the muhurat starts, so you are not rushing at the last minute.

Lakshmi Puja Samagri List

Keep everything ready a day before. Here is a simple checklist:

Lakshmi Puja Vidhi, Step by Step

You do not need to be perfect. Sincerity matters more than getting every detail right. Here is an easy order to follow:

1. Clean and decorate. Clean the house, make a rangoli at the entrance and hang a toran of mango leaves. On the Diwali 2026 date, try to finish this before sunset.
2. Set up the altar. Spread the red cloth on the chowki. Place Ganesha on the left and Lakshmi on his right, facing east or north, with the kalash nearby.
3. Cleanse your sacred items. Wash your Rudraksha and Shaligram gently with Ganga jal, wipe them with a clean cloth and place them on a small plate near the kalash.
4. Take the sankalp. Hold water in your right palm, say your name, the date and your intention for the puja, then release the water.
5. Worship Ganesha first. Offer a flower and akshat and chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" a few times.
6. Invite Goddess Lakshmi. Offer chandan, kumkum, flowers and akshat. Chant "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah."
7. Offer to the sacred items. Put a little chandan and a flower on the Rudraksha. Offer a tulsi leaf to the Shaligram. Place the coins and Gomti Chakra in front of Lakshmi.
8. Do your jaap. Sit calmly and chant the Lakshmi mantra 108 times. A Rudraksha mala is commonly used for this.
9. Aarti and prasad. Light all the diyas, perform the aarti, offer the sweets and share the prasad. Ask forgiveness for any mistakes, and keep one ghee diya burning through the night.

Which Rudraksha to Keep for Lakshmi Puja

Diwali is mainly about Lakshmi and Ganesha, while Rudraksha is linked with Lord Shiva. Still, many families place Rudraksha on the altar at Diwali as a symbol of protection, calm and a steady mind. These are traditional beliefs rooted in faith, not guaranteed results. Here are the beads people most often choose:

• 7 Mukhi Rudraksha: Traditionally linked with Goddess Mahalakshmi, and a popular choice during Diwali. Explore our 7 mukhi rudraksha collection.
• 8 Mukhi Rudraksha: Associated with Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles who is worshipped first in every puja. See our 8 mukhi rudraksha collection.
• Ganesh Rudraksha: A bead with a natural trunk-like form, kept by devotees of Ganesha.
• 5 Mukhi Rudraksha: The most common bead, suitable for the whole family and for daily chanting.

Many people buy on Dhanteras, two days before the Diwali 2026 date, and worship the new bead on Diwali night. Always buy from a trusted seller who can confirm that the bead is genuine, because fake Rudraksha is common during festival season.

Shaligram and Gomti Chakra in Your Diwali Puja

Vishnu Laxmi Shaligram: Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu, so worshipping them together is an old tradition. Many families keep a Vishnu Laxmi Shaligram in the home mandir for this reason. On Diwali it is usually bathed with Ganga jal, offered a tulsi leaf and chandan, and worshipped next to Lakshmi and Ganesha.

Gomti Chakra: This is a small natural shell traditionally linked with Goddess Lakshmi. A common custom is to place 11 pieces on a red cloth during the puja. Afterwards, families keep them in the cash box or locker. Treat it as a symbol of faith, not a promise of wealth.

Common Diwali Puja Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the muhurat without a backup plan. If work delays you, do the puja later that evening rather than skipping it.
• Starting without Ganesha. Every puja begins with him.
• Using an unclean altar. Clean the space and wash your hands before touching the idols.
• Relying on one city's timing. Check the muhurat for your own city.
• Letting the ghee diya go out too early. Keep extra ghee and wicks nearby.

FAQs

Q1. Is Diwali on 7 or 8 November 2026?
The main Diwali day is Sunday, 8 November 2026. Some calendars show 7 November because Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) falls around then, and the tithis overlap. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening of 8 November, when Amavasya is present during Pradosh Kaal.

Q2. Why is Diwali so late this year?
Diwali is late in 2026 because of Adhik Maas, an extra lunar month added between mid-May and mid-June. It keeps the lunar calendar in step with the seasons. Every festival after it shifted about 19 days later, which is why Diwali falls in early November instead of late October.

Q3. How long does Lakshmi Puja take?
A simple home puja usually takes 45 minutes to one hour, including the sankalp, Ganesha worship, offerings, mantra chanting and aarti. If you add 108 repetitions of a mantra and a longer aarti, allow up to 90 minutes. Start on time so you finish within the muhurat.

Q4. Can I do Lakshmi Puja at home without a pandit?
Yes. Most families perform Lakshmi Puja at home themselves, usually led by the head of the household or the eldest member. Follow the steps in order: sankalp, Ganesha, Lakshmi, offerings, mantra and aarti. Sincerity matters more than perfect pronunciation, and the closing prayer asks forgiveness for any small mistakes.

Q5. What should I buy on Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November. Traditionally people buy gold or silver coins, brass or steel utensils, a new idol or a broom. Many families also bring home sacred items such as Rudraksha or Shaligram. Buy what suits your budget. The tradition is about marking a fresh start, not spending a lot.

Q6. Which direction should the Lakshmi idol face?
Place the Lakshmi and Ganesha idols facing east or north, with Ganesha on the left and Lakshmi on his right. North is traditionally linked with Kuber, the keeper of wealth. Sit facing the idols, keep the area clean and avoid placing the altar in a cluttered or dark corner.

Q7. Do I need to fast on Diwali?
Fasting is optional and depends on family custom. Some devotees keep a day-long fast and break it after the evening Lakshmi Puja, while many families simply have a light meal until the puja is done. If you have a health condition, do not fast. Prayer matters more than the fast.

Q8. Can I place Rudraksha on the altar during Lakshmi Puja?
Yes, many families do. Wash the bead with Ganga jal, wipe it clean, place it on a plate near the kalash and offer chandan and a flower. Rudraksha is linked with Lord Shiva, but devotees keep it during Diwali for calm and protection, as an act of faith rather than a guaranteed result.

Q9. Is it okay to buy Rudraksha on Dhanteras or Diwali?
Yes. Dhanteras and Diwali are considered auspicious for bringing home new sacred items. Many people buy a bead on Dhanteras and worship it on Diwali night. The more important point is authenticity: buy from a trusted seller, because fake or dyed beads are common during festival season.

Q10. What should I do with the diyas and puja items after Diwali?
Keep the ghee diya burning through the night. In the morning, place used clay diyas under a tree, near a tulsi plant or in flowing water instead of throwing them in the bin. Clean brass diyas and return them to the mandir. Rudraksha, Shaligram and idols stay in your altar.

Final Thoughts

Diwali is about light, gratitude and being together. Whatever your plans, the Diwali 2026 date gives you plenty of time to prepare, so you can do your puja calmly and with the right intention.

If you are planning to add a bead to your altar, you can browse our 7 mukhi rudraksha and 8 mukhi rudraksha collections. Wishing you and your family a happy and peaceful Diwali.