Diwali
The festival of lights, and Lakshmi Puja
Dhanteras: Friday, 6 November 2026
Significance
Diwali is the year's biggest festival of lights, centred on Lakshmi Puja -- the worship of the goddess of wealth and prosperity -- performed on Amavasya (new moon) of the lunar month of Kartik. The darkest night of the month is deliberately chosen: rows of diyas (oil lamps) are lit to symbolically overcome that darkness, and homes are cleaned and decorated to welcome Lakshmi in. It falls roughly midway through the wider five-day Diwali period, which opens with Dhanteras.
Muhurat & Timing
Lakshmi Puja is traditionally performed after sunset, during the Pradosh period of Amavasya, when the goddess is considered most accessible. For 2026 in New Delhi, the main puja muhurat falls between 5:54 PM and 7:50 PM on November 8. Dhanteras, which opens the festival window with the purchase of gold, silver, or new utensils, falls two days earlier.
Date verification: Verified against drikpanchang.com's Diwali puja calendar for New Delhi: Lakshmi Puja Nov 8, 2026 (Sunday) 5:54 PM-7:50 PM, Dhanteras Nov 6, 2026.
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