Diwali Lakshmi Puja Muhurat

Diwali Lakshmi Puja is done on the evening of the Amavasya (new moon) of Kartika, which is Ashwina Amavasya in the amanta calendar. The day is set by Pradosh Kaal, the first fifth of the night after sunset (about two and a half hours): Lakshmi Puja falls on the day when Amavasya prevails during Pradosh. When it does on two evenings, the second is taken only if Amavasya lasts at least one ghati (24 minutes) into it.

Within Pradosh, the best time is when a fixed (sthira) lagna is rising. Vrishabha (Taurus) is the fixed sign that rises on the Diwali evening, and a puja in a fixed lagna is believed to make Lakshmi stay in the home. So the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is the time when Pradosh Kaal, Amavasya and Vrishabha lagna all overlap; it is given above for major cities.

Nishita Kaal, the middle of the night, is kept for Kali Puja and tantric worship. The Mahanishita muhurat is Nishita Kaal while Amavasya lasts; Simha (Leo), the other fixed sign, rises close to it. Shops and offices that cannot hold the puja in the evening often use the day's auspicious Choghadiya times instead.

Times for Indian cities are Indian Standard Time; times abroad are local time. They match established panchangs to within a minute or two. For a city not listed, the nearest city is usually within a few minutes.