Posted by Soultheory Editorial Team
on October 19, 2026
Lakshmi Puja 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, the Kartik Amavasya night that most of India celebrates as Diwali. This guide covers what the evening puja involves, how families traditionally set up the altar, the simple step by step vidhi, which colours and jewellery are traditionally believed to suit the night, and how to cleanse a new bracelet so it is ready to wear when the first diya is lit.
At Soultheory we get the same few questions every year in the week before Diwali: what time should we start, what goes on the chowki, and is it fine to wear a crystal bracelet during the puja. The answers below follow common North and West Indian household practice. Regional customs differ, so where your family has its own way, follow that.
When is Lakshmi Puja 2026?
Lakshmi Puja is performed on the Amavasya (new moon) of the Kartik month, the main day of the five-day Diwali festival. Both Drik Panchang and Prokerala list Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on the same Sunday this year, with Dhanteras two days earlier on the Friday and Govardhan Puja on the Tuesday after.
Per Vedic tradition, the puja is done after sunset during Pradosh Kaal, and many families try to begin inside the Sthir Lagna (a fixed ascendant, usually Vrishabha) that falls within that window. The exact minutes change from city to city, so check a panchang set to your own location on the day rather than copying a time from a national website.
The Diwali days in 2026 at a glance
| Day | Observance | What families traditionally do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dhanteras | Buy metal, a new utensil or jewellery, light the Yama deepam |
| Day 2 | Kali Chaudas | Hanuman puja in some regions, house cleaning finishes |
| Day 3 | Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja | Early oil bath in the South, evening Lakshmi Ganesha puja |
| Day 4 | Diwali Snan | Holy dip and family visits in some regions |
| Day 5 | Govardhan Puja | Annakut offering to Krishna, Bali Pratipada |
What is Lakshmi Puja and why is it done on Amavasya?
Lakshmi Puja is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, traditionally associated with wealth, abundance and auspiciousness, together with Lord Ganesha, who is worshipped first as the remover of obstacles. According to the Puranas, Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), and it is traditionally believed that she visits clean, well-lit homes on the darkest night of Kartik. That is the reason behind the cleaning, the rangoli at the door and the rows of diyas that give Diwali its name, the festival of lights. You can read more about the festival's history on Wikipedia's Lakshmi Puja page.
In Gujarat and among many trading families, the same evening is also Chopda Puja or Sharda Puja, when new account books are blessed. In Bengal and Assam the night is given to Kali Puja instead, so the rituals there are different.
Lakshmi Puja samagri: what to keep ready
Gather everything before Pradosh Kaal begins so the puja is not interrupted. A typical home list:
- A low wooden chowki covered with a red or yellow cloth
- Idols or a framed picture of Lakshmi and Ganesha (Ganesha usually placed to Lakshmi's left)
- A kalash filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut
- Diyas with ghee or sesame oil, plus cotton wicks and a matchbox
- Roli, kumkum, haldi, akshat (unbroken rice) and fresh flowers, ideally lotus or marigold
- Kheel (puffed rice), batasha, kheer or homemade sweets as bhog
- A few silver or gold coins, or the coins you bought on Dhanteras
- Account books, a pen and any new jewellery you want blessed
Lakshmi Puja vidhi: step by step
The full shodashopachara puja has sixteen steps, but most families follow a shorter version like this:
- Bath and clean clothes. Everyone who sits for the puja bathes and wears fresh or new clothes.
- Set the altar. Place the chowki in the north-east or north of the room, arrange the idols, kalash and diyas.
- Sankalp. Hold water, akshat and a flower, and state your name, gotra if you know it, and the intention of the puja.
- Ganesha puja first. Offer kumkum, flowers and a sweet to Ganesha and chant Om Gan Ganapataye Namah.
- Lakshmi puja. Offer kumkum, haldi, flowers, coins and bhog to Lakshmi. Many families read the Shri Suktam or chant Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah 108 times on a mala.
- Kuber and account books. Place the books and new jewellery near the altar and apply a small swastik with roli.
- Aarti. Sing Om Jai Lakshmi Mata with the whole family, then light the diyas around the house.
- Keep one diya burning. Traditionally a ghee diya is kept lit near the altar through the night.
What to wear on Lakshmi Puja 2026
There is no strict dress code, but a few customs are widely followed.
Colours
Red, yellow, gold, pink and green are traditionally associated with Lakshmi and with prosperity. Many women wear a red or yellow saree or a silk suit. Men often choose a yellow, cream or maroon kurta. Black is usually avoided for the puja itself.
Jewellery and bracelets
Gold and silver are the traditional choice, and wearing jewellery on Diwali is itself considered auspicious. Crystal and rudraksha bracelets fit naturally alongside them. Common choices people make for the night:
- Citrine, the yellow stone traditionally linked with abundance
- Pyrite, a golden stone often kept on business desks and in shop counters
- Clear quartz (sphatik), associated with purity and often used on puja altars
- Green aventurine, worn by people starting a new venture after Diwali
- Rudraksha, especially for elders who already wear one daily
- A Laxmi yantra pendant, for those who want something worn close to the heart
How to cleanse a new bracelet before the puja
A bracelet bought on Dhanteras or in the days before Diwali can be prepared in a few minutes:
- Rinse it gently under running water or wipe it with a soft damp cloth. Skip water for pyrite, which can tarnish.
- Pass it through incense smoke or keep it beside the kalash for a few minutes.
- Place it near the Lakshmi idol during the puja and let it sit through the aarti.
- Put it on after the aarti, while the diyas are still lit.
Recommended Soultheory bracelets for Lakshmi Puja
Citrine Natural Stone Buddha Bracelet
A simple citrine bracelet in the warm yellow most families already associate with Lakshmi. It sits well under a saree blouse sleeve or a kurta cuff. See the Citrine Natural Stone Buddha Bracelet.
Pyrite and Citrine for Wealth and Abundance
Golden pyrite paired with citrine, a popular pick for shop owners who do Chopda Puja the same evening. See the Pyrite and Citrine bracelet.
Sri Laxmi Yantra with Rudraksha Pendant Necklace
For those who prefer a pendant to a bracelet, this pairs a Sri Laxmi yantra with a rudraksha bead and can be placed on the altar before you wear it. See the Laxmi Yantra pendant.
Clear Quartz (Sphatik) Natural Stone Buddha Bracelet
Clear and understated, a good choice for elders or for anyone who wears white or cream for the puja. See the Clear Quartz (Sphatik) bracelet.
Browse the full Soultheory wealth collection for more Diwali choices.
FAQ: Lakshmi Puja 2026
What is the date of Lakshmi Puja 2026? Lakshmi Puja falls on the Kartik Amavasya, the main Diwali night, which is the Sunday given at the start of this guide. Check your local panchang for the exact Pradosh Kaal timing in your city.
Can I wear a crystal bracelet during Lakshmi Puja? Yes. Many families wear citrine, pyrite, clear quartz or rudraksha during the puja, and some place a new bracelet near the idol first so it is blessed before they put it on.
Which God is worshipped first on Diwali night? Lord Ganesha is traditionally worshipped first, followed by Goddess Lakshmi. Many trading families also worship Kuber and their account books in the same sitting.
What colour should I wear for Lakshmi Puja? Red, yellow, gold, pink and green are traditionally associated with Lakshmi. Black is usually avoided for the puja itself.
Should a diya be kept burning all night after Lakshmi Puja? Per Vedic tradition, many households keep one ghee diya burning near the altar through the night as a welcome to Lakshmi. Place it safely away from curtains and keep an eye on it.
Wishing you and your family a bright and peaceful Diwali from all of us at Soultheory. If you are planning the rest of the Kartik month, our Kartik month 2026 guide covers deep daan and snan rules.
Important note: Information shared here reflects traditional Vedic beliefs and cultural practices. Individual experiences vary. This content is for educational and cultural purposes only - it is not medical, financial, or psychological advice. Consult qualified professionals for health, financial, or other personal decisions.
