How to Find the Diwali Puja Muhurat: Quick Answer
The ideal Diwali Lakshmi Puja muhurat is found by checking four things in order: (1) Kartik Amavasya must prevail; (2) it must be Pradosh Kaal — roughly the first 2 hours 24 minutes after sunset; (3) a fixed (sthir) lagna, usually Vrishabha (Taurus), should be rising; and (4) Rahu Kaal and other inauspicious periods should be avoided. For 8 November 2026 in New Delhi, Amavasya runs 11:27 AM (8 Nov) to 12:31 PM (9 Nov), Pradosh Kaal is 5:31–8:09 PM and Vrishabha Kaal is 5:54–7:50 PM — so the best window is 5:54 to 7:50 PM.
Step 1: Confirm Amavasya
Diwali is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya (Ashwin Amavasya in the amanta calendar). Check the tithi in the panchang. Tithi times are the same across India; only sunrise and sunset differ by city. Learn more: What is a tithi?
In 2026, Amavasya begins at 11:27 AM on 8 November — so the evening of the 8th is fully in Amavasya, while on the 9th it ends at 12:31 PM, before sunset. Diwali is therefore on 8 November.
Step 2: Find Pradosh Kaal
Pradosh Kaal is the twilight period starting at sunset and lasting about 2 hours 24 minutes (six ghatis). The scriptures prescribe Lakshmi Puja in Pradosh when Amavasya prevails. In Delhi on 8 November 2026, sunset is 5:31 PM, so Pradosh is 5:31–8:09 PM.
Step 3: Look for a Sthir (Fixed) Lagna
There are four fixed signs: Vrishabha (Taurus), Simha (Leo), Vrishchik (Scorpio) and Kumbh (Aquarius). Worship in a fixed lagna is believed to make Lakshmi sthir — staying in the home. On Diwali evening, Vrishabha lagna usually rises inside Pradosh, so the overlap is the prime muhurat. In Delhi 2026, Vrishabha Kaal is 5:54–7:50 PM. The next sthir lagna, Simha, rises around midnight (12:25–2:42 AM), suited to night sadhana.
Step 4: Avoid Rahu Kaal and Check Choghadiya
On Sunday, 8 November, Rahu Kaal in Delhi is roughly 4:09–5:31 PM — it ends at sunset, so it doesn't affect the Pradosh muhurat. For shops and offices, choghadiya is often used: Delhi's evening Shubh-Amrit-Char choghadiya runs 5:31–10:27 PM, and the afternoon Shubh is 1:26–2:48 PM. Leading panchangs recommend choghadiya mainly for business or travel; for home puja, Pradosh + sthir lagna is best. See how to read choghadiya and Rahu Kaal.
Step 5: Nishita and Mahanishita Kaal
Midnight periods (Mahanishita: 11:39 PM–12:31 AM in Delhi) are used for Kali puja and tantric sadhana by experienced practitioners, not for regular household puja.
Worked Example: New Delhi, 8 November 2026
| Check | Result |
|---|---|
| Amavasya | ✔ 11:27 AM (8 Nov) – 12:31 PM (9 Nov) |
| Pradosh Kaal | 5:31 – 8:09 PM |
| Vrishabha (sthir) lagna | 5:54 – 7:50 PM |
| Overlap = muhurat | 5:54 – 7:50 PM |
| Rahu Kaal | ~4:09 – 5:31 PM (no overlap) |
Home vs Business vs Sadhana
| Purpose | Best period |
|---|---|
| Home Lakshmi-Ganesh puja | Pradosh + Vrishabha lagna |
| Shop/office puja, bahi-khata | Afternoon or evening choghadiya, or Pradosh |
| Kali puja, tantric sadhana | Mahanishita Kaal / Simha lagna |
Summary
To find the Diwali muhurat: confirm Amavasya, find Pradosh Kaal after sunset, look for the sthir Vrishabha lagna inside it, and avoid Rahu Kaal. For 8 November 2026, that gives 5:54–7:50 PM in Delhi; check your own city in the city-wise table.
