Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, with Lakshmi Puja traditionally performed during the auspicious evening Pradosh Kaal. The exact Lakshmi Puja muhurat varies by city, depending on local sunset, Amavasya Tithi and Vrishabha Lagna.
Whether you are celebrating in Mumbai, New York, London, Dubai or Sydney, the auspicious time should be calculated for your location rather than simply converting Indian timings into your local time zone.
Diwali 2026 at a Glance
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Festival: Diwali / Deepavali / Lakshmi Puja
Lunar Tithi: Kartik Amavasya
Preferred Worship Period: Evening Pradosh Kaal during Vrishabha Lagna
🪔 Festival of Lights🌙 Kartik Amavasya
🪔 Diwali 2026: Date and Amavasya Timings
In India, Lakshmi Puja will be observed on Sunday, November 8, 2026, during Kartik Amavasya.
| Event | Date and Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Diwali / Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
| Amavasya Tithi begins | November 8, 11:27 AM |
| Amavasya Tithi ends | November 9, 12:31 PM |
| Preferred Puja period | Evening Pradosh Kaal |
The Amavasya Tithi continues from Sunday into Monday, but the traditional evening Lakshmi Puja in India takes place on November 8, when Amavasya prevails during Pradosh Kaal.
Important: Lakshmi Puja timings are location-specific. The muhurat for Delhi is different from Mumbai, and the timings for India should not be used directly for celebrations abroad.
🪔 Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026 in India
Lakshmi Puja timings vary across India according to local sunset and Vrishabha Lagna. Find the auspicious evening muhurat for your city below.
🌍 Diwali 2026: Lakshmi Puja Timings Worldwide
Find the auspicious Lakshmi Puja muhurat for major cities in the USA, UK, Canada, UAE and Australia. All timings are based on the city’s local evening.
🇺🇸 United States
Lakshmi Puja timings for selected cities across the East Coast, Central states and West Coast.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇨🇦 Canada
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
🇦🇺 Australia
🌙 Why Lakshmi Puja Timings Differ Around the World
The date of Diwali is determined using the Hindu lunar calendar, but the auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja also depends on the location where the ceremony takes place.
Three elements are particularly important in determining the traditional Lakshmi Puja muhurat.
1. 🌙 Amavasya Tithi
Amavasya is the lunar day associated with the New Moon. In the Hindu Panchang, a tithi is determined by the angular relationship between the Sun and Moon.
The beginning and ending of Amavasya occur at the same astronomical instant worldwide, but their clock times differ according to the local time zone.
For Diwali 2026, Amavasya begins at 11:27 AM IST on November 8 and ends at 12:31 PM IST on November 9.
In New York, the same Amavasya begins at 12:57 AM EST on November 8, while in Dubai it begins at 9:57 AM GST. The astronomical event is the same; only its local clock time changes.
2. 🌅 Pradosh Kaal
Pradosh Kaal is the period beginning at local sunset and extending into the early evening. It is traditionally preferred for household Lakshmi Puja on Diwali.
Sunset varies according to longitude, latitude and the time of year. Consequently, Pradosh Kaal in London does not begin at the same local clock time as Pradosh Kaal in Mumbai or Sydney.
For example, the preferred Lakshmi Puja window in London begins at 4:35 PM, while Sydney’s muhurat begins at 8:04 PM.
This is one reason why international Lakshmi Puja timings must be calculated for individual cities.
3. ✨ Vrishabha Lagna
In Vedic astrology, Vrishabha (Taurus) is classified as a fixed sign, or Sthir Rashi.
The period when Vrishabha rises on the eastern horizon is known as Vrishabha Lagna. Traditional muhurat calculations consider this period favourable for Lakshmi Puja, especially when it overlaps with Pradosh Kaal and Amavasya.
According to traditional belief, worship performed during a fixed ascendant symbolises the wish for prosperity and stability to remain in the household.
Because the ascendant changes with time and location, Vrishabha Lagna must be calculated separately for each city.
🌙 Amavasya Tithi — the relevant lunar day.
🌅 Pradosh Kaal — the auspicious period beginning at local sunset.
✨ Vrishabha Lagna — the fixed Taurus ascendant used in traditional muhurat selection.
The preferred window is the overlap of these three conditions.
This explains why two cities observing Diwali on the same calendar date can have different Lakshmi Puja timings.
🪷 How to Perform Lakshmi Puja on Diwali 2026
Lakshmi Puja is performed to honour Goddess Lakshmi, who represents prosperity, abundance and good fortune in Hindu tradition. Lord Ganesha is also worshipped for wisdom and the removal of obstacles.
Although the precise rituals vary across regions and family traditions, the following preparations and steps are commonly observed.
1Clean and Decorate Your Home
Clean the house and prepare the puja area before the auspicious time begins. Decorate the entrance and prayer space with diyas, flowers and rangoli.
2Prepare the Puja Altar
Place images or idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on a clean, decorated platform. A red or yellow cloth is traditionally used in many households.
3Arrange the Offerings
Prepare flowers, fruits, sweets, rice, kumkum, incense, water and a diya. Some families also place coins, jewellery or account books near the altar as symbols of prosperity.
4Begin During the Auspicious Muhurat
Light the diya and offer prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. Perform the puja according to your family tradition, using the appropriate mantras and offerings.
5Perform Aarti and Distribute Prasad
Conclude the worship with aarti and prayers for peace, well-being and prosperity. Offer prasad to family members and guests.
✨ The Significance of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
Diwali is associated with the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of hope, happiness and prosperity.
In many Hindu traditions, the festival commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after his exile. Lakshmi Puja forms an important part of the celebrations, especially in homes and businesses across India.
The worship of Goddess Lakshmi on Kartik Amavasya carries a distinct symbolism. Although the night is associated with the New Moon and the absence of visible moonlight, homes are illuminated with lamps to represent light, wisdom and auspiciousness.
Families traditionally welcome Goddess Lakshmi into clean, illuminated homes through prayers, offerings and acts of generosity.
Diwali and Prosperity in Business
For business owners, Diwali is also an occasion to express gratitude for the past year and seek blessings for future prosperity.
In Gujarati business traditions, Chopda Pujan involves the ceremonial worship of account books. The practice symbolises an auspicious beginning for financial records and business activities.
For many families, the meaning of Diwali extends beyond material prosperity. The festival also offers an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, practise generosity and begin a new chapter with optimism.
❓ Diwali 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in India and the international cities covered in this guide. Lakshmi Puja is traditionally performed during the evening Pradosh Kaal.
What is the best time for Lakshmi Puja in 2026?
The traditionally preferred period is Pradosh Kaal when Vrishabha Lagna is prevailing and Amavasya Tithi is in effect. The exact muhurat depends on your city.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Delhi in 2026?
The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in New Delhi is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM IST on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Mumbai in 2026?
The muhurat in Mumbai is 6:27 PM to 8:27 PM IST on November 8, 2026.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Pune in 2026?
The muhurat in Pune is 6:24 PM to 8:24 PM IST on November 8, 2026.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in New York in 2026?
The muhurat in New York City is 5:03 PM to 6:52 PM EST on November 8, 2026.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in London in 2026?
The muhurat in London is 4:35 PM to 6:12 PM GMT on November 8, 2026.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Dubai in 2026?
The muhurat in Dubai is 5:58 PM to 7:56 PM GST on November 8, 2026.
What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Sydney in 2026?
The muhurat in Sydney is 8:04 PM to 9:33 PM AEDT on November 8, 2026.
Can you follow Indian Lakshmi Puja timings while living abroad?
For a location-based muhurat, you should follow your city’s local Panchang. Simply converting India’s puja time into another time zone does not account for local sunset or the rising ascendant.
Why is Lakshmi Puja performed in the evening?
Evening worship is traditionally associated with Pradosh Kaal. In many Hindu traditions, this period is considered especially auspicious for welcoming Goddess Lakshmi into the home.
🪔 Celebrating Diwali 2026 Wherever You Live
Whether you celebrate Diwali in India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the UAE or Australia, Lakshmi Puja remains a time for gratitude, renewal and prayers for prosperity.
Sunday, November 8, 2026, is the principal Lakshmi Puja date for the cities covered in this guide. By following your local auspicious timings, you can observe the ceremony in accordance with traditional Panchang principles.
✨ Wishing You a Happy Diwali 2026
May the light of Diwali bring peace, happiness and abundance into your home.