Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comDiwali Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
On the evening of Diwali, in the Pradosh Kaal of Kartik Amavasya, Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh are worshipped so that happiness, prosperity and wisdom dwell in the home.
In 2026 Amavasya tithi runs from 11:28 AM on 8 November to 12:31 PM on 9 November, so Amavasya in the Pradosh Kaal falls only on the evening of 8 November. The muhurat shifts by a few minutes by city; check your own city's panchang.
Significance of Diwali Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
The night of Kartik Amavasya is considered the most auspicious time to worship Maa Lakshmi. It is believed that on this night the Goddess moves about the earth and comes to stay in homes that are clean, well lit and full of devotion, which is why homes are cleaned and lamps lit for Diwali.
Ganesh is worshipped with Lakshmi so that with wealth comes the wisdom to use it well, and so that, like every auspicious act, the puja begins with Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. Kuber, the guardian of wealth, is also worshipped this evening, and traders open their new account books on this day.
The puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal while Amavasya tithi prevails. Within it a fixed (sthir) lagna, especially Vrishabha, is considered best, since worship in a fixed lagna is believed to make Lakshmi stay in the home.
How to Perform Diwali Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
During the day the home is cleaned and the doorway decorated with rangoli and a toran. In the evening, after bathing and putting on new or clean clothes, the whole family sits down together for the puja.
After the puja the lamps arranged on a plate are worshipped and then placed all around the home, courtyard, roof and doorway. Many families keep one lamp burning through the night, share the prasad and wish one another a happy Diwali.
The Vidhi in Brief
In the Pradosh Kaal, set the Lakshmi-Ganesh idols and a kalash on a stool covered with red cloth. After purification and the sankalp, worship Ganesh first and then Maa Lakshmi, offering tilak, flowers, lotus, kheel-batashe, sweets and fruit. Then worship Kuber and the account books, worship the lamps on the plate and place them around the home, and perform the Lakshmi and Ganesh aarti before sharing the prasad.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026
Times for New Delhi. This year Naraka Chaturdashi also falls on 8 November: its abhyang snan is in the morning and the Lakshmi Puja in the evening.
Items for Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
- Idols or a picture of Lakshmi and Ganesh
- A wooden stool and red cloth
- Kalash, mango leaves, coconut
- Roli, kumkum, sindoor, haldi
- Akshat (unbroken rice)
- Lotus, red flowers and marigold garlands
- Durva grass (for Ganesh)
- Panchamrit
- Kheel and batashe
- Laddoo or modak, sweets
- Fruit
- Paan, supari, cloves, cardamom
- Itra, dhoop, incense, camphor
- Clay lamps, ghee or oil, wicks
- Silver coins or money
- Account books and a pen (for traders)
- A red chunari, kalava
Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja Vidhi
Arrange the items before the muhurat, then follow these steps in order with the family within the muhurat.
- 1
Set up the stool and idols
Place the stool at the puja space and spread the red cloth, draw a swastik with akshat and set the Lakshmi-Ganesh idols on it. Keep a water-filled kalash beside them, topped with mango leaves and a coconut.
- 2
Purification and sankalp
Sprinkle water on yourself, the family and the puja items to purify them. Then take water, akshat and a flower in your hand and make the sankalp for the puja.
- 3
Ganesh Puja
Worship Ganesh first: apply a tilak, offer durva, flowers and laddoo or modak, and chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah".
- 4
Kalash Puja
Apply a roli tilak to the kalash, tie a kalava around it and offer flowers and akshat.
- 5
Lakshmi Puja
Invoke Maa Lakshmi. Bathe the idol or a silver coin with panchamrit and water, drape the chunari, and offer roli, sindoor, akshat, lotus and red flowers. After itra, dhoop and the lamp, offer kheel-batashe, sweets, fruit and paan-supari as bhog, and chant "Om Mahalakshmyai Namah".
- 6
Kuber and account book puja
Worship Kuber at the safe or wherever money is kept. Traders draw a swastik in roli on the new account books and pen and worship them.
- 7
Worship of the lamps
Light 11, 21 or more lamps on a plate and worship them, then place them in every corner of the home, the courtyard, the roof and the main door.
- 8
Aarti and prasad
With the family, perform the Ganesh aarti and then the Lakshmi aarti, offer pushpanjali and the prayer for forgiveness, and share the prasad.
About Diwali Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja
The Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is the main rite of Diwali evening, on Kartik Amavasya. This page gives the 2026 muhurat, the full samagri list, and the step-by-step vidhi for the Ganesh, Lakshmi, Kuber and lamp worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in 2026?
On Sunday, 8 November 2026, from 5:54 to 7:50 PM (New Delhi). This is the Vrishabha lagna inside the Pradosh Kaal (5:31 to 8:09 PM).
Who is worshipped first in the Lakshmi Puja?
As with every auspicious act, Lord Ganesh is worshipped first, then the kalash, Maa Lakshmi, Kuber and finally the lamps.
What if the muhurat is missed?
The puja can still be done within the Pradosh Kaal (until 8:09 PM) while Amavasya prevails. Even after that, worship done with devotion on the Amavasya night is accepted.