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Diwali 2026: Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat & Vedic Significance
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What you need to know
Diwali (Deepavali) 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 — Kartik Amavasya. Lakshmi Puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal after sunset, with the exact muhurat depending on your city’s sunset time. The five-day festival runs Dhanteras (18 Oct) through Bhai Dooj (22 Oct). Astrologically, the Amavasya of Kartik under Swati/Vishakha nakshatra is regarded as the most potent evening of the year for Lakshmi upasana and new beginnings in wealth matters.
Diwali 2026: five-day calendar
Dhanteras — 18 October (wealth purchases, Dhanvantari puja); Naraka Chaturdashi / Chhoti Diwali — 19 October; Lakshmi Puja / Diwali — 20 October (Kartik Amavasya); Govardhan Puja — 21 October; Bhai Dooj — 22 October. Exact tithis shift slightly by city; the puja is timed to Pradosh Kaal and Sthir Lagna (usually Vrishabha) after local sunset.
Lakshmi Puja muhurat: how it is fixed
The classical rule: Lakshmi Puja is done on Amavasya evening during Pradosh Kaal (roughly 1.5-2.5 hours after sunset) and preferably in a Sthir (fixed) Lagna — Vrishabha Lagna most commonly. Because sunset differs by city, the muhurat differs too: Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, and overseas cities each get their own window. A city-correct panchang or a personal consultation fixes this precisely; this site’s free panchang tool is city-aware.
Astrological significance of Kartik Amavasya
Kartik Amavasya evening is when Lakshmi is invoked into a clean, lit home. In jyotish terms, the period sits between the Sun’s Tula transit and the opening of the vivah-muhurat season; it favours starting ledgers (Chopda Pujan), business commitments, and wealth-related sankalpa. For individuals, the strength of the 2nd, 9th, and 11th houses in the birth chart shows how to make the most of the period.
What to do on each day
Dhanteras: buy metal/utensils, light a diya for Yama. Chhoti Diwali: early-morning abhyanga snan. Diwali: Lakshmi-Ganesha puja at muhurat, kheel-batasha, ledger opening. Govardhan: annakut. Bhai Dooj: sibling blessing. Keep the puja sthal clean and the first diya facing the main entrance.
Common Questions
What is the date of Diwali in 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 — Kartik Amavasya. The five-day festival runs 18-22 October.
What time is Lakshmi Puja on Diwali 2026?
Lakshmi Puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal after sunset on 20 October 2026, ideally in Sthir Lagna. The exact window depends on your city's sunset — use the city-aware panchang on this site or consult for your precise muhurat.
Is Diwali 2026 good for starting a new business?
Kartik Amavasya evening is classically favoured for ledgers and wealth sankalpa. Whether it suits YOUR venture depends on your birth chart's 2nd, 9th, and 11th houses — an honest chart reading comes first.
What should I buy on Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras (18 October 2026) traditionally favours metal purchases — utensils, silver, or gold per capacity. It is the customary day for such buys during the festival.
Which lagna is best for Lakshmi Puja?
Sthir (fixed) lagnas are preferred — most commonly Vrishabha Lagna during Pradosh Kaal. Fixed lagnas are chosen so the invoked Lakshmi 'stays' in the home.
2026 event guides: August Grahan · Pitru Paksha (7-21 Sep) · Diwali & Lakshmi Puja (20 Oct) · Kartik Purnima (5 Nov)
Personal guidance for this period: consult Dr. R.P. Sharma — flat ₹5,100, full birth-chart reading first.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will the lunar eclipse occur on 28 August 2026 in India?
The lunar eclipse on 28 August 2026 will be visible in India from about 02:45 am to 06:12 am IST, with the moment of totality at roughly 04:28 am IST. The eclipse falls in the 7th house of partnerships, where the Moon will be conjunct Rahu, forming a Rahu‑Moon yoga that emphasizes issues of marriage, contracts and public dealings. During this time the Moon’s illumination is weakened, urging a calm and diplomatic approach in all joint matters.
What exact time does the lunar eclipse happen on 28 August 2026?
The precise time of the eclipse’s greatest phase is 04:28 am IST on 28 August 2026. At that moment the Moon is in the sign of Libra, ruled by Venus, and the Rahu‑Moon conjunction activates the 7th house, indicating a focus on balance in relationships. It is advisable to avoid initiating new agreements during the exact moment of totality.
Which house and planetary influences are highlighted by the 28 August 2026 lunar eclipse?
The eclipse occurs in the 7th house, the domain of partnerships, with the Moon conjunct Rahu and receiving aspect from Saturn. This combination creates a Yogic influence that can bring both clarity and tension to marital and business ties, especially for those whose Moon sign is Libra or Virgo. The presence of Saturn’s aspect suggests a need for patience and responsibility in resolving disputes.
How does the eclipse affect those running the Mahadasha of Saturn?
For individuals in the Mahadasha of Saturn, the Rahu‑Moon conjunction during the eclipse intensifies the Saturnian lessons of discipline and structure in the 7th house. This period may bring important decisions regarding partnerships that require careful planning and adherence to duty. Performing the Shani mantra “Om Sham Shanaischaraya Namah” and offering black sesame to a Shani temple can help smooth the influence.
What remedial measures can mitigate challenging effects of this eclipse?
A simple and effective remedy is to chant the Rahu mantra “Om Raam Rahave Namah” 108 times on the day of the eclipse, preferably after sunrise, while offering mustard seeds to a clean fire. Donating a handful of black lentils to a needy family on the same day also balances Rahu’s energy. Maintaining a calm demeanor