Diwali Night Mantras: Quick Answer
On Diwali night (8 November 2026), the most widely chanted mantras are: (1) Ganesh mantra *"Om Gam Ganapataye Namah"*; (2) the Mahalakshmi beej mantra *"Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseeda Praseeda Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah"*; (3) the simple *"Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah"*; (4) Lakshmi Gayatri; (5) the Shri Suktam; (6) the Kuber mantra; and (7) the deep mantra. Chant them during the Lakshmi Puja muhurat (5:54–7:50 PM in Delhi) and, if you wish, again in the Nishita Kaal (11:39 PM–12:31 AM).
1. Ganesh Mantras (Always First)
- •"Vakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha, nirvighnam kuru me deva sarvakaryeshu sarvada." — O Lord with the curved trunk and mighty body, radiant as a million suns, remove obstacles from all my work, always.
- •"Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" — 11 or 108 times.
2. Mahalakshmi Beej Mantra
"Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseeda Praseeda Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah."
Meaning: Salutations to Mahalakshmi, who dwells in the lotus — be pleased with me. Shreem is the seed sound of Lakshmi; Hreem is the seed of divine energy. Chant 108 times with a kamal gatta or sphatik mala.
3. Simple Lakshmi Mantra
"Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" — ideal for beginners, children and family chanting.
4. Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra
"Om Mahalakshmyai cha vidmahe, Vishnupatnyai cha dhimahi, tanno Lakshmih prachodayat."
Meaning: We know Mahalakshmi, we meditate on the consort of Vishnu — may Lakshmi inspire and illuminate us.
5. Shri Suktam (First Two Verses)
"Om hiranyavarnam harinim suvarna-rajata-srajam, chandram hiranmayim Lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha."
"Tam ma avaha jatavedo Lakshmim anapagaminim, yasyam hiranyam vindeyam gamashvam purushanaham."
Meaning: O Agni, bring to me the golden Lakshmi, adorned with gold and silver garlands, radiant like the moon — the Lakshmi who never leaves, through whom I may gain gold, cattle, horses and good people. The full Shri Suktam (from the Rigveda khilani) has 15–16 verses and is the most revered Lakshmi hymn.
6. Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (Opening Verse)
"Namaste'stu Mahamaye Shripithe surapujite, shankha-chakra-gada-haste Mahalakshmi namo'stu te."
7. Kuber Mantra
"Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha." — chanted at the locker or cash box.
8. Deep (Lamp) Mantra
"Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhanasampadam, shatrubuddhi vinashaya deepajyotir namo'stu te."
9. Kshama Prarthana (Closing)
"Aavahanam na janami na janami visarjanam, pujam chaiva na janami kshamasva Parameshwari."
Rules for Chanting on Diwali Night
- 1Bathe, wear clean clothes and sit on a woollen or kusha mat facing east or north.
- 2Use a kamal gatta, sphatik or rudraksha mala; don't cross the sumeru bead.
- 3Chant after the Ganesh puja and before the aarti.
- 4Keep a ghee lamp burning while chanting.
- 5Pronounce clearly; if unsure, use the simple "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah".
- 6Many devotees continue japa through the night — Diwali is one of the four great nights (Kalaratri) for sadhana.
Summary
On 8 November 2026, begin with the Ganesh mantra, chant the Mahalakshmi beej mantra or "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" 108 times, add Lakshmi Gayatri and the Shri Suktam if possible, chant the Kuber mantra at the locker and close with the deep mantra and kshama prarthana.
