Festival of Lights. Lakshmi worship. Most important Hindu festival.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most loved festival of the year. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness and of good over evil. The most beloved story tells of Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana, when the people lit rows of lamps to welcome him home. On the same night, Goddess Lakshmi, who brings wealth and wellbeing, is said to visit homes that are clean, bright and full of devotion.
On Diwali, families clean and decorate their homes, draw rangoli at the doorstep, and light rows of diyas and lamps to welcome Lakshmi. In the evening the Lakshmi-Ganesh puja is performed for prosperity and wisdom. For Gujarat, Diwali also means Chopda Pujan or Sharda Pujan, when traders worship their account books and close the old year’s accounts, before the Gujarati New Year, Bestu Varas, begins the very next morning.
The heart of Diwali is the Lakshmi Puja, performed in the evening to invite wealth, health and happiness for the year ahead. It is usually done in the Pradosh Kaal after sunset, and many families prefer the steady, auspicious Sthir Lagna for the puja. The exact Lakshmi Puja muhurat shifts by city and year, so always check the Panchang for the day. For 8 November 2026, see the full Panchang for the precise Lakshmi Puja and Pradosh timings for your city.
Diwali 2026 (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the Amavasya of Aaso month. The Gujarati New Year, Bestu Varas, follows on 9 November.
Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening, usually in the Pradosh Kaal after sunset. The exact muhurat depends on your city, so check the 8 November Panchang for the precise Lakshmi Puja time for your location.
Chopda Pujan, also called Sharda Pujan, is the Gujarati tradition of worshipping the account books on Diwali evening. Traders close the old year’s accounts and seek the blessings of Lakshmi and Saraswati before opening new books on Bestu Varas.
The five days are Dhanteras (6 Nov), Kali Chaudas (7 Nov), Diwali and Lakshmi Puja (8 Nov), Bestu Varas and Govardhan Puja (9 Nov), and Bhai Dooj (11 Nov).
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya and the worship of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, health and happiness in the year ahead.