Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2018
The festival of lights — Lakshmi Puja while Amavasya prevails during pradosh.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)06:09
- Pradosh puja muhurat17:14 – 19:38
- Fasting window (tithi)2018-11-06 · 22:27 → 21:31
- Parana (tithi ends)21:31
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaDiwali (Lakshmi Puja) — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct time for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali?
Lakshmi Puja is performed in pradosh kaal, the window beginning at sunset, and preferably during a sthir (fixed) lagna such as Vrishabha. Exact timings shift by city, since they depend on local sunset.
Why is Diwali celebrated on a new moon night?
Kartika Amavasya is the darkest night of the lunar year. Lighting lamps on it is the point: the festival is about producing light where none is given, rather than celebrating light that already exists.
Should Ganesha be placed to the left or right of Lakshmi?
Ganesha is placed to Lakshmi's right as you face the idols. He is invoked first, as every Hindu rite begins with him.
Other major festivals in 2018
- Makar Sankranti — 14 January 2018
- Vasant Panchami — 22 January 2018
- Maha Shivaratri — 14 February 2018
- Holika Dahan — 1 March 2018
- Holi — 2 March 2018
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 18 March 2018
- Ram Navami — 25 March 2018
- Akshaya Tritiya — 18 April 2018
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 14 July 2018
- Guru Purnima — 27 July 2018
- Nag Panchami — 15 August 2018
- Raksha Bandhan — 26 August 2018
- Krishna Janmashtami — 2 September 2018
- Hartalika Teej — 12 September 2018
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 13 September 2018
- Anant Chaturdashi — 24 September 2018
- Pitru Paksha begins — 26 September 2018
- Sharad Navratri begins — 10 October 2018
- Durga Ashtami — 17 October 2018
- Maha Navami — 18 October 2018
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 19 October 2018
- Karwa Chauth — 27 October 2018
- Dhanteras — 5 November 2018
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 6 November 2018
- Govardhan Puja — 8 November 2018
- Bhai Dooj — 9 November 2018
- Chhath Puja — 13 November 2018
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 23 November 2018
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 23 November 2018
- Hindu Festivals 2018 →