Festival Calendar

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2021

The festival of lights — Lakshmi Puja while Amavasya prevails during pradosh.

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Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2021 date
Thursday, 4 November 2021
Tithi: Kartika Amavasya
Tithi window: 06:09 AM, Thursday, 4 November 2021 → 02:51 AM, Friday, 5 November 2021

Muhurat & timings

Kashi/IST · astronomically computed
  • Sankalp (sunrise)06:07
  • Pradosh puja muhurat17:15 – 19:39
  • Fasting window (tithi)06:09 → 2021-11-05 · 02:51
  • Parana (tithi ends)02:512021-11-05

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 katha

Diwali (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.