Diwali 2026, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness and prosperity over misfortune. Central to the festival is Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja, performed to invite Shubh (auspiciousness) and Labh (wealth) into homes. Devotees clean and decorate their homes, light diyas, create rangolis, exchange gifts and sweets, and follow traditional puja steps. Worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha together ensures wisdom, prosperity, and divine blessings, making the celebration spiritually enriching and culturally vibrant.
✔️6th November 2026, Friday / शुक्रवार - Dhanteras
✔️7th November 2026, Saturday / शनिवार - Kali Chaudas
✔️8th November 2026, Sunday / रविवार - Narak Chaturdashi
✔️8th November 2026, Sunday / रविवार - Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)
✔️10th November 2026, Tuesday / मंगलवार - Govardhan Puja
✔️11th November 2026, Wednesday / बुधवार - Bhai Dooj
Diwali 2026, the Festival of Lights, transforms homes into vibrant celebrations of joy and prosperity. Decorated with glowing diyas, intricate rangolis, and fresh flowers, every house welcomes the divine presence of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. This auspicious festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, making it one of the most cherished celebrations in India.
Diwali, also called Deepavali (“row of lamps”), is celebrated in October–November every year. It marks the return of Lord Sri Rama to Ayodhya and the victory of light over darkness. Beyond this legend, Diwali is a festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and wisdom. Homes are illuminated with diyas, rangolis, and flowers to invite divine blessings and positive energy.
In 2026, Diwali falls on Friday, 6th November. The festival week begins with Dhanteras on 6th November, followed by Kali Chaudas and Narak Chaturdashi on 7th November, and continues with Govardhan Puja on 10th November and Bhai Dooj on 11th November. These auspicious days are celebrated across India with prayers, rituals, and festive gatherings.
The main day of Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja, though some also include Saraswati or Kubera in the worship. Devotees place idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha made of metal, stone, or clay in their puja space. The deities are offered Dhoopa (incense), Deepa (lamp), Naivedyam (food offerings), vastra (clothes), ornaments, fruits, and Tamboolam (betel leaves). These rituals invite prosperity, wisdom, and divine blessings into the home.
No Diwali celebration is complete without performing the Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja, the heart of the festival of lights. Devotees thoroughly clean and decorate their homes, wear their finest clothes, and offer prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, wisdom, and good fortune. While everyone follows these rituals, many are unaware why these two deities are worshipped together during Diwali.
On Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped alongside Lord Ganesha rather than Lord Vishnu. According to tradition, Lakshmi once wished to adopt a child to understand the joy of motherhood. Goddess Parvati granted her son Lord Ganesha, and in return, Lakshmi blessed him with all her powers. Since then, it is customary to worship Ganesha first during Lakshmi Puja, ensuring Shubh (auspiciousness) and Labh (prosperity) flow into the home.
During Diwali, devotees seek Shubh (auspiciousness) and Labh (prosperity) through the worship of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Ganesha removes obstacles and grants wisdom, ensuring that prosperity is used wisely. Goddess Lakshmi brings wealth and material success to those with a pure heart. Together, they symbolize the perfect balance of intellect and abundance, reminding devotees that true fortune comes when wisdom guides financial gains.
Performing the Lakshmi-Ganesh puja on Diwali is considered to be very auspicious. To perform this puja correctly, some directions and guidelines must be followed.
Before starting with the puja, a lot of preparations are required. Start the preparations by cleaning the entire house. This must be followed by taking a shower. Any puja must be performed with a clean mind and body in a clean environment. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi never graces a house with her presence that is not clean.
Apart from cleaning the house, purifying it by sprinkling Gangajal (holy water) all over it and decorating it with marigold flowers and mango leaves is very important. Putting up lights before performing the puja is also customary.
Take a puja kalash that is made of copper, silver, or bronze. Fill three-quarters of it with water and place a betel nut, a marigold flower, a clean coin, and rice grains. At the opening of the pot, arrange five mango leaves in a circular fashion and place a coconut in the opening.
Spread a red cloth on a raised platform and place some rice grains in the middle. Be mindful that the clothes are clean and new. After placing the rice on the cloth, place the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh on the grains and place the puja kalash along with them.
Begin the puja by lighting a camphor and some incense sticks. Offer the first prayer to Lord Ganesha and then worship Goddess Lakshmi as is the tradition of Diwali. Chant mantras and sing aartis for both the deities and offer flowers, batashas, betel leaves, fruits, sweets, etc to them.
Close the puja by singing the Lakshmi aarti and offering gratitude to the goddess. Apply the tilak to everyone present and distribute the prasad.
Check out this book: How to Worship Goddess Lakshmi, Shri Mahalakshmi Deepawali Poojan Vidhan
During Diwali, place Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha idols in the northeast corner of your home. Lord Ganesha should always sit on the left side of Goddess Lakshmi. Both idols should be in a seated position, as standing idols are considered inauspicious. Correct placement ensures the flow of Shubh (auspiciousness) and Labh (prosperity) into the household.
It is considered inauspicious to keep a standing Lakshmi idol or photo. For Diwali and Lakshmi Ganesh Puja, always use a seated idol or image, as it symbolizes stability, wealth, and prosperity. Seated idols help attract divine blessings and ensure the proper flow of Shubh-Labh into the home.
Rangoli is a traditional art form created using colors, rice, flowers, or flour, decorating floors and entrances during Diwali. For Diwali and Lakshmi Ganesh Puja, rangolis are believed to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into the home, inviting wealth, prosperity, and positive energy. Women and girls typically create rangolis near doors, in halls, or around the puja area, making the space visually appealing and spiritually auspicious.
Sharing gifts and sweets is an integral part of Diwali celebrations and Lakshmi Ganesh Puja. After the puja, families and friends exchange sweets, dry fruits, and presents to spread joy, generosity, and community spirit. This practice not only strengthens bonds but also aligns with the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and goodwill.
🔸Diwali celebrates light, prosperity, and wisdom through Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja.
🔸Homes are cleaned, decorated, and rangolis created to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
🔸Worship Lord Ganesha first to remove obstacles and invite Shubh-Labh.
🔸Sharing sweets and gifts spreads joy, generosity, and community spirit.
🔸The festival balances wealth (Labh) and wisdom (Shubh) for true prosperity.
🔸Proper idol placement ensures divine blessings flow into the home.
🔸Diyas, prayers, and puja rituals symbolize victory of light over darkness.
The multicolored thread of festivals runs through the fabric of the rich culture and heritage of India, and every festival represents values that are necessary for living a fulfilled life. Being one of them, Diwali falls on the Amavasya of the Ashwin month and is the darkest night of the year. However, we can remove that darkness with the lights of many diyas. This just symbolizes that the might of an obstacle is never bigger than the hearts that stand united against it.
Exchanging presents and savoring the finest delicacies are just part of Diwali celebrations. Behind the glitz of Diwali are the feelings of love and affection for each other. Another very important aspect of these celebrations is the Lakshmi-Ganesh puja. This puja is performed to invite the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and attract financial prosperity and good fortune. We celebrate enlightenment and dharma and realize the value of mental strength and spiritual peace along with financial success in life.
Your email address will not be published *
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist