Lakshmi Puja Timings Vary Across India for Diwali 2026

As India prepares to celebrate Diwali in 2026, Hindu devotees seeking to perform Lakshmi Puja during the festival's peak observance will need to note the varying auspicious timings across different cities. The muhurat, or sacred time window, for the worship of the goddess of wealth and prosperity shifts based on local astronomical calculations and geographical positioning.

In Kolkata, the puja timings are scheduled to commence at 5:20 pm, while major financial and cultural hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru will observe different windows for their evening prayers. These city-specific calculations are derived from traditional Hindu almanac systems that determine propitious moments for religious observances based on planetary positions and lunar phases.

Diwali, celebrated on the new moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik, holds deep spiritual significance across India. The Lakshmi Puja ritual, performed in homes and temples throughout the country, seeks blessings for prosperity and good fortune during the coming year. Families typically prepare their worship spaces and gather for collective prayers during the designated muhurat.

Devotees are advised to consult local pandits or verified astronomical calculations specific to their city to ensure they perform the ritual during the most auspicious period. Regional variations in sunrise and sunset times, combined with traditional calculation methodologies, necessitate city-wise guidance for those observing the festival according to religious custom.