Here’s something our grandmothers knew: Maa Lakshmi doesn’t look for the biggest house on the street. She looks for the one that is ready for her.
On Sunday, 8 November 2026, crores of diyas will light up across India in the same golden window after sunset. And you don’t need a priest, a 40-page Sanskrit booklet or an expensive setup to be part of it. You need a clean corner, a few simple things from your kitchen and puja shelf, and a heart that is open to receive.
In this guide, you’ll get:
- The exact Lakshmi Puja 2026 muhurat, with timings for major Indian cities
- A complete puja samagri checklist you can screenshot
- A simple step-by-step Lakshmi Puja vidhi anyone in the family can follow, even first-timers
- Easy mantras, the aarti, do’s and don’ts
- A small abundance ritual to carry Lakshmi’s energy beyond Diwali night
Quick answer: Lakshmi Puja 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026 (Kartik Amavasya). The best time in New Delhi is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM (Pradosh Kaal with Sthir Vrishabha Lagna), as per Drik Panchang. Timings change by city, so check the table below for yours.
Lakshmi Puja 2026 Date and Shubh Muhurat
Lakshmi Puja 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the night of Kartik Amavasya. Amavasya tithi begins at 11:27 AM on 8 November and ends at 12:31 PM on 9 November, so the entire evening of 8 November is covered. Diwali falling on a Sunday this year means the whole family can be home for the puja.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026 (New Delhi)
| Timing | Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Lakshmi Puja Muhurat | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM (1 hr 56 min) |
| Pradosh Kaal | 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM |
| Vrishabha Kaal (Sthir Lagna) | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM |
| Amavasya Tithi Begins | 11:27 AM, 8 November 2026 |
| Amavasya Tithi Ends | 12:31 PM, 9 November 2026 |
Source: Drik Panchang New Delhi timings, via HinduTone. Check your own city on Drik Panchang.
Why this exact window?
Two things overlap in this slot, and that overlap is the magic.
- Pradosh Kaal begins at sunset and lasts roughly two and a half hours. It’s the twilight hour when day hands over to night, the traditional time to light diyas and invite the Goddess in.
- Vrishabha Lagna (Taurus rising) is a sthir, or fixed, sign. Tradition holds that when Lakshmi is worshipped in a fixed lagna, her blessings settle in the home instead of passing through.
Think of it this way: Pradosh Kaal opens the door, and Vrishabha Lagna convinces the guest to stay.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026: City-Wise Timings
Muhurat changes from city to city because sunset changes. Here are the timings for 8 November 2026 (all in IST):
| City | Lakshmi Puja Muhurat | Pradosh Kaal |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM | 5:31 PM to 8:09 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:27 PM to 8:27 PM | 6:02 PM to 8:34 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:20 PM to 7:18 PM | 4:55 PM to 7:29 PM |
| Chennai | 6:07 PM to 8:09 PM | 5:40 PM to 8:09 PM |
| Bengaluru | 6:17 PM to 8:20 PM | 5:51 PM to 8:20 PM |
| Hyderabad | 6:07 PM to 8:08 PM | 5:42 PM to 8:13 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 6:22 PM to 8:20 PM | 5:58 PM to 8:32 PM |
| Pune | 6:24 PM to 8:24 PM | 5:59 PM to 8:30 PM |
| Jaipur | 6:03 PM to 7:59 PM | 5:39 PM to 8:16 PM |
| Lucknow | 5:43 PM to 7:40 PM | 5:19 PM to 7:55 PM |
| Chandigarh | 5:52 PM to 7:46 PM | 5:30 PM to 8:08 PM |
| Patna | 5:29 PM to 7:26 PM | 5:04 PM to 7:39 PM |
| Bhopal | 6:03 PM to 8:01 PM | 5:38 PM to 8:12 PM |
| Visakhapatnam | 5:48 PM to 7:49 PM | 5:22 PM to 7:54 PM |
| Vijayawada | 6:01 PM to 8:02 PM | 5:34 PM to 8:05 PM |
New Delhi timings are from Drik Panchang. Other cities are calculated by HinduTone using the same method. Please confirm your city on Drik Panchang before the puja. Living outside India? Use your own local sunset on 8 November, not Indian times.
What if you miss the muhurat?
Don’t panic. The muhurat is the ideal time, but a puja done with devotion later in the evening is still meaningful. A smart plan: finish all preparation before sunset, then do the main Ganesha-Lakshmi worship and aarti inside the window.
Some families, especially business and trading communities, also do a second puja in Nishita Kaal (around midnight). For most households, the evening Pradosh Kaal puja is all you need. Drik Panchang also recommends Pradosh Kaal over Choghadiya timings for home Lakshmi Puja.
Pro tip: Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026. It’s the perfect day to buy your puja items, a new broom, or a small silver coin for Lakshmi.
Why Lakshmi Puja Is Done on Diwali Night
Diwali falls on Amavasya, the darkest night of the month. That’s not a coincidence. It’s the whole point: on the night with no moonlight, every home becomes its own source of light.
The night Lakshmi appeared
According to the Puranas, Maa Lakshmi rose from the Samudra Manthan, the great churning of the cosmic ocean of milk. Popular tradition links her appearance, and her choosing Lord Vishnu, to Kartik Amavasya. In a sense, Diwali is her divine birthday.
She visits house to house
There’s a beautiful belief many of us grew up with. On Diwali night, Lakshmi walks the earth looking for a home to stay in. She passes by dark, cluttered, quarrelsome houses and steps into the ones that are clean, bright and peaceful.
That’s why we clean for weeks, draw rangoli, paint her tiny footprints walking into the house, and keep diyas burning at the door. Every ritual is a way of saying, “Maa, this home is ready for you.”
Why Ganesha always sits beside her
Lakshmi brings wealth. Ganesha brings buddhi, the wisdom to use it well, and removes obstacles. Wealth without wisdom rarely lasts, so Ganesha is always worshipped first. Many families also honour Saraswati (knowledge) and Kubera (the treasurer of the gods) on this night.
Lakshmi is more than money
When you pray to Lakshmi, you’re not just asking for a bigger bank balance. Her eight forms, the Ashta Lakshmi, cover every kind of abundance:
| Form | The abundance she blesses |
|---|---|
| Adi Lakshmi | Spiritual wealth, connection to the Divine |
| Dhana Lakshmi | Money and material prosperity |
| Dhanya Lakshmi | Food, harvest and nourishment |
| Gaja Lakshmi | Power, status and royal abundance |
| Santana Lakshmi | Children and family happiness |
| Dhairya Lakshmi | Courage and inner strength |
| Vijaya Lakshmi | Victory and success |
| Vidya Lakshmi | Knowledge and learning |
So this Diwali, ask yourself: which form of Lakshmi do I most want to welcome this year?
Lakshmi Puja Samagri List (Screenshot This!)
You don’t need everything on this list. Start with the essentials, and add the extras if you have them. Maa Lakshmi values bhaav (feeling) over a long shopping bill.
Essentials
- Idol or framed photo of Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha (a seated Lakshmi on a lotus is traditional)
- Wooden chowki (low stool) and a red or yellow cloth
- Kalash (copper or brass pot), water, 5 mango leaves and a coconut
- Clay diyas, ghee or sesame oil, and cotton wicks
- Kumkum (roli), haldi (turmeric) and chandan (sandalwood paste)
- Akshat: a small bowl of unbroken rice
- Fresh flowers and a garland (marigold, red rose or lotus)
- Incense sticks (agarbatti) and camphor (kapoor)
- Gangajal, or clean water with a few drops of Gangajal
- Sweets and fruits for naivedya (bhog)
- Coins or currency notes, and any jewellery you’d like blessed
- Aarti thali and a small bell
- Matchbox (it’s always the one thing we forget!)
Traditional extras
- Kheel (puffed rice) and batashe (sugar drops), Lakshmi’s favourite Diwali bhog
- Panchamrit: milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar mixed together
- Kamal gatta (lotus seeds) and whole dhaniya (coriander seeds)
- Paan (betel leaves), supari, cloves and cardamom
- Mauli (red sacred thread)
- Durva grass for Ganesha
- A new account book, ledger or diary, plus a new pen
- Rangoli colours and Lakshmi footprint stickers or stencil
- Mango leaf or marigold toran for the main door
Budget tip: If you can’t find a lotus, a single red rose offered with love is enough. If you don’t have silver coins, any coin from your wallet works beautifully.
How to Prepare Your Home Before Lakshmi Puja
If Lakshmi is looking for a home that’s ready, this is how you get ready. Do these in the day or two before Diwali, and finish everything before sunset on 8 November.
- Declutter first, then clean. Throw out broken items, dead plants, old bills and stopped clocks. Traditionally, Lakshmi doesn’t stay where energy is stuck. Give extra love to the main entrance and the northeast corner of your home.
- Bring home a new broom on Dhanteras. The broom is considered a form of Lakshmi because it sweeps away negativity. Keep it hidden, never upright in plain view.
- Decorate the entrance. Hang a toran of mango leaves or marigolds on the main door. Draw a rangoli at the threshold.
- Draw Lakshmi’s footprints. Use kumkum, rice paste or stickers to make small footprints walking into your home, from the door toward the puja room. It’s a silent invitation.
- Choose your puja spot. The northeast (Ishaan kon) is traditionally the most sacred direction. Set it up so you sit facing east or north during the puja.
- Bathe and dress up. Take a bath before the muhurat and wear clean or new clothes. Red, yellow, pink and gold are considered auspicious. Women often wear a little gold or a fresh bindi; it’s all part of welcoming the Goddess.
- Light up every corner. Keep diyas ready for the entrance, windows, kitchen, Tulsi plant and water area. On Lakshmi’s night, no corner of the home should stay dark.
Lakshmi Puja Vidhi at Home: 12 Simple Steps
This vidhi takes about 45 to 60 minutes and works for first-timers, families and anyone doing the puja without a pandit. Do Steps 1 and 2 before the muhurat begins, then start Step 3 inside your city’s muhurat.
- Set up the altar. Place the chowki in your puja spot and cover it with the red cloth. Make a small heap of rice in the centre. From where you sit, place Ganesha on the left and Lakshmi on the right. Keep the kalash beside them, and your coins, jewellery and account book in front.
- Purify yourself and the space. Dip a flower or mango leaf in Gangajal and sprinkle it on yourself, the altar and the samagri while chanting:
- Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gatopi Va, Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham Sa Bahyabhyantarah Shuchih.
- Then sip a little water three times, saying Om Keshavaya Namah, Om Narayanaya Namah, Om Madhavaya Namah.
- Light the diya. As the muhurat begins, light the main ghee diya on the right side of the altar, then the incense. Chant the Deepa Shloka (see the mantras below). This lamp is your invitation.
- Take the sankalpa (intention). Hold a little water, akshat and a flower in your right hand and say, in any language: “Maa Lakshmi and Ganesha ji, on this sacred Diwali, I [your name], with my family, perform this puja for the health, peace and prosperity of our home. Please accept it.” Release it into a plate.
- Worship the kalash. Fill it with water, a coin, supari, haldi and akshat. Place the mango leaves and coconut on top. Draw a swastik on it with kumkum, offer a flower and chant Om Varunaya Namah.
- Worship Ganesha first. Offer him kumkum tilak, akshat, durva grass, a flower and a laddoo or modak. Chant Vakratunda Mahakaya or Om Gam Ganapataye Namah. He clears the path for everything that follows.
- Invite Maa Lakshmi (Avahan). Hold flowers in folded hands and close your eyes. Picture her walking into your home on the footprints you drew. Say Om Mahalakshmyai Namah, Avahayami, Sthapayami and place the flowers at her feet.
- Offer her a symbolic bath (Snan). Dip a flower in panchamrit or clean water and gently sprinkle it on the idol. Using a photo? Sprinkle it on a coin placed in front of her instead.
- Adorn her and offer your wealth. Offer chandan, kumkum, haldi, akshat, a garland, a lotus or red flowers, kamal gatta and a chunri if you have one. Apply tilak to the coins, jewellery and account book. On the first page of the new book, draw a swastik and write Shubh Labh.
- Offer bhog (Naivedya). Place kheel-batashe, kheer, sweets, fruits and paan-supari before her. Sprinkle a little water around the plate and say Om Mahalakshmyai Namah, Naivedyam Samarpayami.
- Chant her mantra. Chant Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah 108 times with a mala, or 11 or 21 times if you’re short on time. Families who know it can also recite Shri Suktam or the Lakshmi Chalisa.
- Aarti, forgiveness and lights.
- Light camphor and do Ganesha aarti first, then Lakshmi aarti (Om Jai Lakshmi Mata), ringing the bell as you sing.
- Traditionally, circle the aarti four times at her feet, twice at the navel, once at the face and seven times around the whole idol.
- Show the aarti to every family member and take blessings from elders.
- Fold your hands and ask forgiveness for any mistakes (the Kshama Prarthana mantra is below).
- Light diyas across the home, at the door, windows, kitchen and Tulsi, then share prasad.
Keep the light on: Many families keep one ghee diya (akhand jyoti) burning through the night. Place it on a steady metal tray, away from curtains, and keep an eye on children and pets. And there’s no visarjan tonight. You want Lakshmi to stay.
Simple Lakshmi Puja Mantras (With Meaning)
You don’t need perfect Sanskrit. Say these slowly, with feeling, and Maa will understand. Here’s exactly when to use each one:
| When to chant | Mantra | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting the diya | Shubham Karoti Kalyanam Arogyam Dhana Sampada, Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya Deepa Jyotir Namostute | I bow to the lamp’s light, which brings goodness, health and wealth, and removes ill-will. |
| Before Ganesha puja | Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada | O Lord with the curved trunk, shining like a million suns, remove the obstacles from all my work, always. |
| Lakshmi jaap (108 times) | Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah | Salutations to Mahalakshmi. Shreem is her seed (beej) sound of abundance. |
| Quiet meditation | Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe, Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dheemahi, Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat | May we know Mahalakshmi, beloved of Vishnu. May she illuminate our minds. |
| After offerings | Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Lakshmi Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah | To the Goddess who lives in every being as Lakshmi, I bow again and again. |
| End of puja | Aavahanam Na Janami, Na Janami Visarjanam, Puja Chaiva Na Janami, Kshamasva Parameshwari | I don’t know the perfect way to invite you, worship you or bid you farewell. Please forgive my mistakes, O Supreme Goddess. |
For the aarti: Sing Om Jai Lakshmi Mata from your family aarti book, or play a recording and sing along. Don’t worry if you forget a line. The bell, the flame and your voice together are the offering.
Lakshmi Puja Do’s and Don’ts
These come from traditional beliefs passed down in Indian homes. Follow what resonates with your family.
Do’s
- Do keep the main door lit and open during the puja. You’re expecting a very special guest.
- Do worship Ganesha before Lakshmi, always.
- Do choose a seated Lakshmi idol or image. A seated Goddess is believed to stay; a standing one is said to be on the move.
- Do wear red, yellow, pink or gold, colours linked with Lakshmi.
- Do keep the home peaceful. Lakshmi is said to leave homes filled with arguments and harsh words.
- Do keep the puja coins safe in your wallet, cash box or locker for the year ahead.
- Do share. Give sweets to your house help, neighbours and anyone in need. Abundance grows when it flows.
Don’ts
- Don’t sweep or throw out garbage after sunset on Diwali. Folk belief says you might sweep Lakshmi out with it.
- Don’t leave any corner dark, especially the entrance, kitchen and bathroom area.
- Don’t use a broken or chipped idol. Replace it with a fresh one or a clean photo.
- Don’t wear black for the puja, and avoid alcohol and non-vegetarian food on this day.
- Don’t lend money or give away salt and sugar on Diwali night, according to traditional belief.
- Don’t rush. A short puja done with full attention is better than a long one done while checking your phone.
Bonus: A 5-Minute Lakshmi Abundance Ritual
Here’s the part most puja guides skip. The puja invites Lakshmi in. Gratitude is what makes her feel at home.
After the aarti, while the diyas are still glowing, try this:
- Sit quietly in front of the diya for a minute. Breathe slowly and let the noise of the day settle.
- Write 8 blessings you already have, one for each form of Ashta Lakshmi: the money you have, the food on your table, your family, your courage, your knowledge, a win from this year, your health, and your faith.
- Write one intention for the new year in the present tense, as if it has already happened. For example: “Our home is filled with health, peace and steady abundance. I am grateful for the new opportunities flowing to me.”
- Place the paper under the kalash or beside the puja coins overnight, so it soaks up the night’s blessings.
- Carry it for 21 days. The next morning, fold it into your wallet or diary. Each morning, read it once and chant Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah 11 times.
Why it works: when you focus on what you already have, you stop sending out the energy of lack. You start noticing opportunities you’d otherwise walk right past. That’s Lakshmi’s grace in action.
Lakshmi Puja 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is Lakshmi Puja in 2026?
Lakshmi Puja 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the main day of Diwali. Amavasya tithi begins at 11:27 AM on 8 November and ends at 12:31 PM on 9 November.
What is the best time for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali 2026?
The best time is during Pradosh Kaal with Vrishabha Lagna. In New Delhi, that’s 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM. In Hyderabad it’s 6:07 PM to 8:08 PM, and in Mumbai 6:27 PM to 8:27 PM. Check the city-wise table above for your city.
Is Lakshmi Puja on 8 or 9 November 2026?
Lakshmi Puja is on 8 November 2026. Amavasya is present during the evening Pradosh Kaal of 8 November, and it ends around midday on 9 November, so the evening puja happens on the 8th.
Can I do Lakshmi Puja at home without a pandit?
Yes. A home Lakshmi Puja done with a clean space, a few simple offerings and a sincere heart is complete. The 12-step vidhi above is designed for families doing it on their own.
Can I do Lakshmi Puja with just a photo?
Absolutely. A clean framed photo of Lakshmi and Ganesha works just as well as an idol. Offer the symbolic bath to a coin placed in front of the photo.
Which direction should I face during Lakshmi Puja?
Traditionally, the puja is set up in the northeast corner of the home, and you sit facing east or north.
What should I offer to Goddess Lakshmi?
Lotus or red flowers, kumkum, haldi, akshat, kheel-batashe, kheer, sweets, fruits, paan-supari, kamal gatta and coins. Above all, offer gratitude.
What if I can’t do the puja during the muhurat?
The muhurat is the ideal time, but a puja done with devotion later in the evening is still meaningful. Try to finish your preparations early so the main worship and aarti fit inside the window.
What do I do with the puja coins and flowers afterwards?
Keep the coins in your wallet, cash box or locker as a blessing for the year. Place used flowers in a plant pot or garden instead of the dustbin, and share the prasad with family and neighbours.
Welcome Her Home This Diwali
Remember where we started? Maa Lakshmi isn’t looking for the grandest home on the street. She’s looking for the one that’s ready.
A clean corner. A glowing diya. A family sitting together with folded hands. A heart that says thank you before it says please. That’s all it takes.
On Sunday, 8 November, when your muhurat begins and the first diya flickers to life, know that you’ve done enough. You are enough. And abundance is already on its way to you.
Before you go:
- Comment below with your city and one thing you’re grateful for this year. Let’s fill this page with blessings.
- Share this guide on WhatsApp with someone doing their first Lakshmi Puja at home this year.
- Want to keep Lakshmi’s energy flowing all year? Download my free 7-Day Law of Attraction Guide [ADD GUMROAD LINK] and turn this Diwali into the start of your most abundant year yet.
Shubh Deepavali from all of us at The Prime Chronicle. May Maa Lakshmi walk into your home and decide to stay.
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