How to Do Diwali Puja at Home: Complete Samagri and Vidhi

Summary

• Date: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Amavasya tithi begins at about 11:27 AM on 8 November and ends at about 12:31 PM on 9 November, so it is present all evening.
• Best time (Delhi): The Pradosh Kaal, the evening window after sunset, is about 5:31 PM to 7:55 PM. Many panchangs name about 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM as the most favourable part of it. A second, night-time window, the Nishita Kaal, is about 11:38 PM to 12:30 AM. Timings change by city, so check yours before the day.
• Who is worshipped: Ganesh ji first, then Mahalakshmi, with Saraswati ji and Kuber ji alongside. Lakshmi is for wealth, Ganesh for wisdom and a clear start, Saraswati for knowledge. Many families say wealth stays only when all three are present.
• What you need: A short essentials list (Part 2) is enough for a complete, respectful puja. An add-ons list (Part 3) is there if you have the time and energy.
• How long it takes: About 45 to 60 minutes for the full vidhi. The short version in Part 5 takes about 20 minutes.
• The most important thing: Clean home, clean mind, a lit diya, a sincere sankalp, and bhav (devotion). Missing an item does not spoil the puja.
• If you cannot do it at home or want a temple puja too: Devpunya's pandits perform the Lakshmi Ganesh Saraswati Samriddhi Mahapuja and the Mata Gajlakshmi Mahapuja at Shri Gaja Lakshmi Temple, Ujjain on 8 November, in your name and gotra, with a full video.

Part 1: Diwali 2026 Date and Muhurat

When exactly should I do the Lakshmi puja?

On 8 November 2026, in the evening after sunset. Lakshmi Puja is done on Amavasya, during Pradosh Kaal, because the tradition says Mahalakshmi visits homes on the darkest night when she finds them clean, lit and welcoming.

Panchang sources differ by a few minutes, and a few sites quote different windows altogether. Sunset and lagna change from city to city, so do not copy a Delhi time into Mumbai or Kolkata.

Which lagna is best?

Many panchangs prefer a sthir (fixed) lagna during Pradosh, such as Vrishabha, because the belief is that Lakshmi "stays" when the puja is done in a fixed lagna. If your pandit or panchang gives a lagna window for your city, use it. If you cannot, any time in your local Pradosh Kaal is accepted.

What if I miss the muhurat?

Do not worry. Do the puja as soon as you can after sunset on the same night, or in the Nishita Kaal. A puja done calmly at 8:30 PM with devotion is better than a hurried one at 6 PM.

Part 2: The Samagri List (Essentials)

Arrange these before sunset so that nothing is missing when the puja begins. If you buy only the items below, your puja will be complete.

A. Deities and the seat

• Idols or pictures of Lakshmi ji and Ganesh ji. Lakshmi seated on a lotus is preferred for the home.
• Saraswati ji (picture or idol) alongside, if you can.
• A chowki (wooden platform) or a clean, raised, level surface
• Red or yellow cloth to cover the chowki
• A small heap of rice or wheat on which the kalash will stand

B. The kalash

• A kalash (copper, brass, silver or clean clay pot), filled with water
• A few drops of Ganga jal, a coin, a supari (betel nut), a pinch of rice and a few durva blades or flowers in the water
• 5 or 7 mango leaves tucked around the mouth
• A coconut wrapped in red cloth or tied with mauli, placed on top

C. Puja essentials

• Roli (kumkum), haldi, chandan, akshat (whole rice), sindoor
• Mauli (kalawa) red thread
• Flowers: lotus if possible, otherwise marigold or rose, plus a garland
• Durva grass (21 blades) for Ganesh ji. Do not offer tulsi to Ganesh ji.
• Incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop
• Camphor (kapoor)
• Ghee and cotton wicks
• Ganga jal and a small pot of clean water with a spoon or a leaf
• A small bell
• A plate (thali) for the aarti, and a separate plate for the offerings

D. Diyas

• One large ghee diya for the puja (mustard oil is acceptable if ghee is not possible)
• At least 11 or 21 clay diyas with oil or ghee for the home, balcony and door. Any number you can manage is fine; many families light 5, 7, 11, 21 or 51.

E. Naivedya (food offering)

• Kheer or any homemade sweet
• Batasha and khil (puffed rice), the traditional offerings for Lakshmi ji
• Laddoo or modak for Ganesh ji
• Fruits: pomegranate, banana, singhara (water chestnut), coconut
• Dry fruits, makhana
• Paan with supari and elaichi

F. Items of "wealth"

• Coins and currency notes (a few of each)
• A silver coin, if you have one
• Your jewellery (a small piece is enough)
• Your bahi-khata (account book), cash box or laptop, pen, and for students, books

Part 3: The Add-ons (If You Have Extra Bandwidth)

These are optional. They deepen the puja but are not required.

What is the minimum I need if I am short on time or money?

A clean spot, a picture or idol of Lakshmi-Ganesh, one diya, a few flowers, a glass of water, rice and roli, one sweet, and your sincere prayer. The scriptures place bhav (feeling) above material. A single flower and a lit diya offered with a pure heart is a complete offering.

Part 4: Preparing the Home and Yourself

Do this in the day, before sunset.

1. Clean the entire home, including corners, the entrance, the kitchen and the puja space. Throw out broken items. Lakshmi ji is said to visit the cleanest houses.
2. Keep the north-east (Ishan) corner clean and place the puja there if possible. If you cannot, use the north or east.
3. Decorate the entrance. Draw a rangoli, hang a toran of mango leaves and marigold, and keep a diya at the door.
4. Bathe before the puja. Wear clean, preferably new or traditional clothes. Many women wear red, yellow or pink.
5. Gather the family. Everyone, including children, should sit for the puja.
6. Switch off distractions. Keep the phone aside, except to play a bhajan or the aarti.
7. Do not eat heavy food before the puja. Many families fast lightly till after the puja.
8. Sit facing east or north.

Part 5: The Vidhi, Step by Step

Step 1: Set up the chowki

• Spread the red or yellow cloth on the chowki.
• Place Ganesh ji and Lakshmi ji on it. Lakshmi ji is placed on the right-hand side of Ganesh ji. If your family follows a different arrangement, keep it.
• Place Saraswati ji next to them or just behind, and Kuber ji to the north.
• Make a small heap of rice in front, and place the kalash on it, with the coconut on top.
• Keep the coins, jewellery and account books in a plate in front of the deities.
• Light the big ghee diya and place it to your right (as you face the deities). Light incense.

Step 2: Achaman (sipping water) and purification

Take water in your right palm and sip it three times, saying:

ॐ केशवाय नमः। ॐ नारायणाय नमः। ॐ माधवाय नमः। Om Keshavaya namah, Om Narayanaya namah, Om Madhavaya namah.

Then wash your hands with "ॐ हृषीकेशाय नमः".

Sprinkle a little Ganga jal on yourself, the samagri and the seat:

ॐ अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा। यः स्मरेत् पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः॥ Om apavitrah pavitro va sarvavasthaam gato'pi va; yah smaret pundarikaksham sa bahyabhyantarah shuchih. (Whether pure or impure, in any state, one who remembers the lotus-eyed Lord becomes pure within and without.)

Step 3: Sankalp (the vow)

Hold water, a little rice, a flower and a coin in your right palm. State, in your own words or the form below:

"हे श्री महालक्ष्मी, हे श्री गणेश जी, आज कार्तिक मास की अमावस्या (दीपावली), रविवार के दिन मैं ___ (अपना नाम), ___ गोत्र, अपने परिवार के सुख, स्वास्थ्य, शान्ति और समृद्धि के लिए आपकी पूजा का संकल्प करता/करती हूँ। मेरी यह पूजा स्वीकार कीजिए।"

(In the Amanta calendar followed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and the south, the same day is called Ashwin Amavasya.)

Pour the water on the ground or in a plate. A pandit may recite a longer Sanskrit sankalp. The short form above, said sincerely, is accepted.

Step 4: Ganesh puja (always first)

1. Close your eyes and pray to Ganesh ji:

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥ Vakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha; nirvighnam kuru me deva sarvakaryeshu sarvada.

1. Offer a little water (as a bath), then roli and akshat for a tilak.
2. Offer durva, a flower, incense, a diya and a sweet (laddoo or modak).
3. Chant "ॐ गं गणपतये नमः" (Om gam ganapataye namah) 11 or 21 times.

Step 5: Kalash puja

Touch the kalash with roli and akshat, tie mauli around its neck, and offer a flower with:

ॐ वरुणाय नमः। (Om Varunaya namah)

Pray that all the sacred waters and the deities are present in the kalash.

Step 6: Invite Mahalakshmi (Avahan) and offer the upacharas

1. Dhyana (meditation). Fold your hands and recite:

या सा पद्मासनस्था विपुलकटितटी पद्मपत्रायताक्षी। गम्भीरावर्तनाभिः स्तनभरनमिता शुभ्रवस्त्रोत्तरीया॥ लक्ष्मीर्दिव्यैर्गजेन्द्रैर्मणिगणखचितैः स्नापिता हेमकुम्भैः। नित्यं सा पद्महस्ता मम वसतु गृहे सर्वमाङ्गल्ययुक्ता॥ (May Lakshmi, seated on a lotus, with lotus eyes, bathed by celestial elephants with golden pots, holding a lotus, always live in my home, with all auspiciousness.)

1. Avahan (invitation). Say: "ॐ श्री महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, आवाहयामि" and offer a flower to the idol. Say it as an invitation: "Mother, please come, take your seat in my home."
2. Asan (seat). Offer a flower or rice and say "Please be seated."
3. Padya and Arghya. Offer a little water with a spoon or a flower, as if washing the Goddess's feet and offering her water.
4. Snan (bath). Sprinkle Ganga jal, then (if you have it) panchamrit, then Ganga jal again. For a picture, sprinkle water around it, not on it.
5. Vastra (cloth). Offer a red or pink cloth or a piece of mauli.
6. Shringar. Offer sindoor, bindi, bangles and other shringar items. Apply a tilak of roli and chandan.
7. Pushpa (flowers). Offer lotus or marigold flowers and the garland.
8. Dhoop and Deep. Show incense and the diya before the deities.
9. Naivedya (food). Offer kheer, batasha, khil, fruits and sweets. Place a tulsi leaf if you wish for Lakshmi-Narayan, but not on Ganesh ji's plate. Say "ॐ श्री महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, नैवेद्यं समर्पयामि".
10. Tambool. Offer paan, supari, elaichi, and dakshina (a coin or note).

Step 7: Chant the Lakshmi mantras

Sit with a mala (the kamal gatta mala is traditional, or any tulsi or rudraksha mala) and chant. Choose one or more:

You do not have to chant all of them. If you know only one, chant that one with a calm mind.

Step 8: Kuber and Saraswati

Kuber ji (guardian of wealth). Offer a flower and a coin, and chant:

ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धनधान्याधिपतये धनधान्यसमृद्धिं मे देहि दापय स्वाहा॥ Om yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya dhanadhanyadhipataye dhanadhanyasamriddhim me dehi dapaya swaha.

Saraswati ji (knowledge). Offer a white flower or a book and pen, and recite:

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता। या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना॥ या ब्रह्माच्युतशङ्करप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता। सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥

Or the simple "ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः" (Om aim Saraswatyai namah).

Step 9: Bahi-khata, cash box and tools (Chopda pujan)

Draw a swastika with roli on your account book, cash box or laptop and write "श्री", "शुभ लाभ" and "ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः". Offer akshat and a flower. Keep a small coin on top. Business owners do this for the shop as well (see FAQ).

Step 10: Aarti

See Part 7 for which aarti to sing and the full text. Light the camphor, ring the bell, and perform the aarti with the thali in a clockwise circle. Everyone in the family joins.

Step 11: Pradakshina and Pushpanjali

Walk around the puja space once, clockwise (or turn on the spot if there is no room), reciting:

यानि कानि च पापानि जन्मान्तरकृतानि च। तानि तानि प्रणश्यन्ति प्रदक्षिणे पदे पदे॥

Then offer a handful of flowers (pushpanjali) at the feet of the deities.

Step 12: Kshama prarthana (asking forgiveness)

मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं जनार्दन। यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे॥ (Whatever I have worshipped, even if lacking in mantra, ritual or devotion, O Lord, let it be complete.)

Then pray for the well-being of everyone:

ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः। सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत्॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Step 13: Light the diyas around the home

Take the lit diyas from the puja and place them at the main door, windows, balcony, staircase, courtyard, kitchen, tulsi plant, near the water source and any dark corner. The tradition is that no corner should stay dark on Diwali night.

Step 14: Distribute prasad

Share the prasad with the family first, then with neighbours, friends and the needy.

The short version (about 20 minutes): Clean the space. Light the diya. Sankalp. Offer flowers and a sweet to Ganesh ji and chant Om gam ganapataye namah 11 times. Offer flowers and sweet to Lakshmi ji and chant Om shreem hreem shreem Mahalakshmyai namah 21 times. Aarti. Kshama prarthana. Light the diyas around the house.

Part 6: Which Mantras to Chant, in a Nutshell

For a night-time sadhana in Nishita Kaal, some devotees chant the Mahalakshmi mantra 1,008 times or the full Shri Suktam. These are optional.

Part 7: Which Aarti to Do

The usual order on Diwali is:

1. Ganesh ji ki aarti first
2. Lakshmi ji ki aarti (the main aarti of the evening)
3. Saraswati ji ki aarti, if you have the picture
4. Om Jai Jagdish Hare (the common aarti of Vishnu) at the end, which many families sing together

If you only do one, do Lakshmi ji ki aarti.

Ganesh Aarti

जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा। माता जा की पार्वती पिता महादेवा॥

एक दन्त दयावन्त चार भुजाधारी। माथे सिन्दूर सोहे मूस की सवारी॥

पान चढ़े फूल चढ़े और चढ़े मेवा। लड्डुअन का भोग लगे सन्त करें सेवा॥

अन्धन को आँख देत कोढ़िन को काया। बाँझन को पुत्र देत निर्धन को माया॥

'सूर' श्याम शरण आए सफल कीजे सेवा। माता जा की पार्वती पिता महादेवा॥

Lakshmi Aarti (Om Jai Lakshmi Mata)

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता। तुमको निसदिन सेवत, हर विष्णु विधाता॥ ॐ जय...

उमा, रमा, ब्रह्माणी, तुम ही जग माता। सूर्य-चन्द्रमा ध्यावत, नारद ऋषि गाता॥ ॐ जय...

दुर्गा रूप निरंजनी, सुख-सम्पत्ति दाता। जो कोई तुमको ध्यावत, ऋद्धि-सिद्धि धन पाता॥ ॐ जय...

तुम पाताल-निवासिनि, तुम ही शुभदाता। कर्म-प्रभाव-प्रकाशिनी, भवनिधि की त्राता॥ ॐ जय...

जिस घर में तुम रहती, तहँ सब सद्गुण आता। सब सम्भव हो जाता, मन नहिं घबराता॥ ॐ जय...

तुम बिन यज्ञ न होते, वस्त्र न कोई पाता। खान-पान का वैभव, सब तुमसे आता॥ ॐ जय...

शुभ-गुण मन्दिर सुन्दर, क्षीरोदधि-जाता। रत्न चतुर्दश तुम बिन, कोई नहिं पाता॥ ॐ जय...

महालक्ष्मीजी की आरती, जो कोई नर गाता। उर आनन्द समाता, पाप उतर जाता॥ ॐ जय...

Aarti texts have small regional variations. If your family sings a slightly different version, sing yours.

Part 8: How to Do Vehicle Puja (Vahan Puja)

Many families worship their car, bike, scooter, truck or auto on Diwali (and on Dhanteras), asking for safe travel and for the vehicle to serve the family well.

You need: water and Ganga jal, roli and akshat, a flower garland, mauli, incense, a diya, a coconut, a lemon (optional), a sweet.

Steps:

1. Clean the vehicle inside and out, and park it on level ground.
2. Sprinkle Ganga jal on it with a flower.
3. Make a swastika with roli or sindoor on the front (bonnet or headlight), the number plate side, or both sides. Apply a roli tilak with akshat.
4. Tie mauli on the steering, handlebar or side mirror.
5. Offer a garland and flowers and show incense and a diya.
6. Pray for safe travel. Say "ॐ गं गणपतये नमः" and the protection verse:

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

1. Offer the naivedya (a sweet) and show a short aarti.
2. Break a coconut (if your family does this) in front of the vehicle, a safe distance from the tyres, and share it as prasad. Some families place lemons under the front tyres and drive over them slowly. This is a custom, not a rule, and you may skip it.
3. Drive a short distance and bring the vehicle back.

Please do the puja with the engine off and with care if children are around.

Part 9: Extra Things to Invite Maa Lakshmi Into Your Home

These are traditions and beliefs, offered with respect. Do what resonates and is practical for your family.

1. Keep the home spotless. Clean the house, especially the entrance and kitchen, before the evening.
2. Make a rangoli with lotus or Lakshmi's footprints (charan) pointing into the home.
3. Light diyas at the main door on both sides. Keep them lit through the evening.
4. Keep the main door open for a while after the puja, as an invitation. Many families keep it open until the puja ends.
5. Light a ghee diya near the idol and keep it burning through the night if you can (an akhand diya).
6. Place a diya in the north-east of the house and one near the tulsi plant.
7. Offer a lotus to Lakshmi ji. If you cannot find one, a marigold or rose is accepted.
8. Keep the tijori (safe) and cash box clean. Place a coin or a few grains of rice with roli inside after puja.
9. Share with others. Distribute sweets and give to the needy. Giving food, clothes or gau seva is considered the surest way to keep Lakshmi in the house.
10. Feed a cow. Offer a roti or green fodder. It is said that Lakshmi lives in the cow.
11. Respect the women of the family. In the tradition, a woman is the living form of Lakshmi in a home. Give her a gift and a kind word on this day.
12. Speak gently throughout the evening. A home filled with anger and shouting is not a welcoming one.
13. Settle quarrels and forgive. Many families call the people they have fallen out with on Diwali.
14. Clear debts or make a plan to clear them. Even a small step shows intent.
15. Wake or stay up during the Nishita Kaal, if possible, with a lamp, chanting the Lakshmi mantra or the Shri Suktam.

Note: These are beliefs and traditions of devotion. They are not guarantees. Wealth comes through effort and good judgment, and the puja is a way of asking for the Goddess's blessing and of starting the year with the right attitude.

Part 10: When to Remove the Setup (Visarjan and Next Morning)

Practices differ between families, but this is the most common guidance:

• Do not remove the setup on the night of the puja. Let the deities stay in place at least through the night, and let the diya burn on.
• Next morning (9 November), do a short prayer and aarti, thank Lakshmi and Ganesh, and offer the leftover naivedya. Amavasya continues until about 12:31 PM that day.
• Kalash water: Sprinkle it around the home, or pour it on the tulsi plant or another plant. Do not pour it in a drain.
• The coconut from the kalash: Break it and share it as prasad, or keep it with the puja items.
• Flowers and leaves: Put them in running water, at the root of a tree, or in a plant pot. Do not throw them in the dustbin.
• The idols you worship every year (metal or marble): Keep them in your puja room. Lakshmi-Ganesh stay with you all year.
• New clay or paper idols: Many families keep them until Govardhan Puja (10 November) or Bhai Dooj, then immerse them in flowing water or a pot of soil with a plant, with a short aarti and a prayer.
• Coins and notes from the puja: Place them in your tijori or wallet.
• Diyas: Let them burn out on their own. Do not blow them out.

If you are unsure, follow your family elders or ask your pandit.

Part 11: Do's and Don'ts

Do's

• Do the puja after sunset, in Pradosh Kaal (or Nishita Kaal).
• Do clean the house and yourself before you begin.
• Do take a sankalp with your name and gotra.
• Do worship Ganesh ji first.
• Do light diyas at every entrance and dark corner.
• Do offer lotus, kheer, batasha and khil to Lakshmi ji.
• Do keep the mind calm and the voice gentle.
• Do involve children and elders.
• Do share prasad and give to those in need.
• Do ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja.

Don'ts

• Don't leave the house dirty or the entrance dark.
• Don't use stale, broken or torn items in the puja.
• Don't offer tulsi to Ganesh ji.
• Don't use a damaged or cracked idol.
• Don't rush through the puja or use the phone during it.
• Don't quarrel or shout on Diwali.
• Don't gamble. The custom of playing cards on Diwali is common in some families, but the puja is about devotion, and gambling carries risks to your finances and peace.
• Don't consume alcohol or non-vegetarian food on the day.
• Don't turn off the puja diya intentionally.
• Don't refuse a beggar at your door on Diwali night, if you can help.
• Don't blow out the diyas. Let them settle on their own.
• Don't worry if you make a small error. Ask forgiveness and carry on.

Part 12: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why do we worship Ganesh ji along with Lakshmi ji?

Lakshmi ji is said to be chanchala, restless, and does not stay for long where wealth is used without wisdom. Ganesh ji is the lord of buddhi (intellect) and removes obstacles. A popular tradition says that Lakshmi ji herself declared that she would be worshipped only with Ganesh ji, so that wealth comes with wisdom. That is why Ganesh ji is worshipped first and sits beside Lakshmi ji.

Q2. Why is Saraswati ji worshipped on Diwali?

Wealth (Lakshmi), wisdom (Saraswati) and a clear mind (Ganesh) together form a complete blessing. Many families, especially those of students and professionals, worship all three so that prosperity is supported by knowledge. Devpunya's Lakshmi Ganesh Saraswati Samriddhi Mahapuja is done on this idea.

Q3. Why is the Lakshmi puja done at night?

On Amavasya night the moon is invisible and the sky is dark. Tradition says Mahalakshmi visits homes in the dark, and that she stays in the homes that are clean, bright and welcoming. The lights of the diyas are the invitation. Pradosh Kaal, right after sunset, and the Nishita Kaal at midnight are the two traditional windows.

Q4. Why do we light so many diyas?

A diya stands for light overcoming darkness, knowledge overcoming ignorance, and an invitation to the Goddess. The festival's name comes from deepavali, a row of lamps. Lighting diyas in every corner is also thought to remove negativity and fill the home with warmth.

Q5. How many diyas should I light?

There is no fixed number. Most families light 5, 7, 11, 21, 31, 51 or 101. One large ghee diya for the puja, and then as many as your space and budget allow. Even one diya at the main door, lit with devotion, is enough.

Q6. Ghee or oil in the diya?

A ghee diya is preferred for the puja diya near the deity. Sesame or mustard oil diyas are commonly used at the door and around the home. Use what you can. Do not worry if you only have oil.

Q7. In which direction should the diya face?

The commonly stated tradition: the wick faces east (for health and long life) or north (for wealth). Many avoid placing a diya facing south, which is associated with Yama. Place the puja diya to your right as you face the deity.

Q8. Can I use electric diyas or candles?

For the puja itself, use a real flame (ghee or oil diya), because the flame and the offering of light is part of the ritual. For the decoration, electric lights or candles are fine.

Q9. Which diya should I leave burning all night?

The ghee diya near the idols. If it is not safe or possible to leave it burning, light a small one in a steel or brass holder placed away from curtains and children, or let it burn for as long as it safely can. Safety comes first.

Q10. What is the rule for sleeping on the floor on Diwali night?

There is no single scriptural rule that says everyone must sleep on the floor on Diwali. It is a family and regional custom, and families give several reasons:

• As part of a vrat or fast. In some families, those who fast on the day or on the nights around Diwali sleep on the ground (bhoomi shayan) as a sign of simplicity and discipline.
• To stay close to the earth (Bhoomi Devi) and stay humble, as Lakshmi's grace is said to come with humility.
• To keep a night vigil. Some families stay awake on Diwali night or sleep lightly near the puja space, so that the diya and the puja space are looked after and the Goddess is "welcomed all night."

If your family follows this custom, you may do so as long as it suits your health. If you have back pain, are elderly or unwell, a normal bed is perfectly acceptable. A custom should support devotion, and not become a burden.

Q11. Why do we stay awake on Diwali night?

In some traditions, devotees chant, sing bhajans or meditate through the Nishita Kaal (the midnight window) because it is considered the most powerful time for Mahalakshmi sadhana. This is optional. A short chant at the Nishita window, or a bhajan before sleeping, is enough.

Q12. Do I need a pandit for the puja at home?

No. The head of the household or any family member can do it. A pandit helps with the longer Sanskrit sankalp and the full vidhi, but a sincere puja in your own words is complete.

Q13. Can women perform the Diwali puja?

Yes, absolutely. In many homes, the woman of the house leads the Lakshmi puja. Anyone can do it.

Q14. Can I do the puja if I don't have a separate puja room?

Yes. Use a clean, raised surface (a small table or chowki) in the north-east or any clean, quiet corner of the living room. Cover it with a clean cloth.

Q15. Do I need new idols every year?

No. If you have metal or marble idols, clean them (with water and a soft cloth) and use the same ones. Many families buy a new clay Lakshmi-Ganesh set every year. Both are fine.

Q16. Which Lakshmi idol or picture is best for the home?

Lakshmi seated on a lotus, with gold coins flowing from her hand, is preferred. Lakshmi standing, or with an owl, is traditionally associated with the idea of restlessness, so many families choose the seated form. Ganesh ji seated with his trunk curved to the left is commonly chosen for the home. Choose what you feel devotion to.

Q17. What if someone in my family passed away this year?

Many families do not celebrate festivals with the usual rituals during the first year of mourning. Practices vary a great deal by community. Ask your family elders. If your family does not do a full puja, you may light a single diya, say a prayer and keep the day quiet.

Q18. What do I do if I do not know Sanskrit mantras?

Say "ॐ श्री महालक्ष्म्यै नमः" or simply pray to Lakshmi ji and Ganesh ji in your own language: Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali, any. The Goddess understands every language of the heart.

Q19. What should I do on Dhanteras and Choti Diwali?

On Dhanteras (6 November in many panchangs) people clean the house, buy utensils or metal, worship Dhanvantari and Kuber and light a diya for Yama. Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi (7 November) is a day of lighting diyas, removing negativity, and (in many places) worshipping Kali and Hanuman. You can read more in our other Diwali guides.

Q20. Do I need to do puja at my shop or business too?

Yes, many business owners do a Lakshmi puja at the shop or office as well. Clean the space, do a short Ganesh-Lakshmi puja, draw a swastika on the new account book (Chopda Pujan), and light a diya at the entrance. Many do the shop puja before the home puja, or on the same evening in the muhurat.

Q21. What is the best offering to Lakshmi ji?

Lotus flowers, kheer, batasha, khil (puffed rice), makhana, fruits like pomegranate, singhara and coconut, and sweets. A silver coin and a new cloth are also traditional.

Q22. What if my children are small or someone has a disability or illness?

Do the short version. Keep the puja brief, let the child offer a flower and ring the bell. The Goddess is pleased by a happy household. If someone is unwell, the puja can be done by another family member while they rest and pray from their seat.

Q23. Can I do a Lakshmi puja at a temple instead of at home?

Yes. Many people visit a temple on Diwali evening. If you cannot go, you can also have a puja performed at a temple in your name by a pandit, with a sankalp, video and prasad. Devpunya's Diwali pujas are done at Shri Gaja Lakshmi Temple, Ujjain on 8 November.

Q24. Will the puja definitely bring wealth?

A puja is an act of faith and devotion, and no one can promise a particular result. The tradition teaches that Lakshmi ji is drawn to cleanliness, honesty, effort, generosity and gratitude. Do the puja with devotion, work with honesty, share with others, and trust.

Quick Checklist for Diwali, 8 November 2026

Timings above are for New Delhi. Please check your city.

Do the Puja at a Temple Too

If you want your Diwali to include a puja at a sacred temple, performed by a pandit in your name, you can take part from home:

The practices described in this guide are traditional and vary between families and regions. The mantras and aartis are widely recited versions. If your family or pandit follows a slightly different text, follow that. No puja can promise a specific outcome. Timings are approximate for New Delhi and based on commonly published panchang listings.