Lakshmi · Ganesha · Rama's return
Diwali · Lakshmi Puja
The night of lamps — Lakshmi worshipped in a house lit against the dark.
Tithi: Kartik Amavasya (north) · Ashwin Amavasya (west & south) — the same night
Which calendar do you follow?
The bright fortnight is named the same everywhere. A dark fortnight belongs to one month in the north and to the month before it in Maharashtra, Gujarat and the south — the same night, two true names. Saved only on this device.
In the simplest words
The festival of lights! Rows of diyas, rangoli, sweets and fireworks — because light always finds its way home, just like Ram did.
The story & purpose
On the darkest night of Kartik, Ayodhya lit rows of lamps for Rama's homecoming — deepavali, a row of lights. On the same amavasya Lakshmi is welcomed into clean, glowing homes with Ganesha beside her, and account books open a new year.
It is the axis of a five-day arc — Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj — the subcontinent's great festival of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.
Its five days each carry a task: Dhanteras brings the vessel, Naraka Chaturdashi scrubs the year's grime, the amavasya night seats Lakshmi, Govardhan thanks the land, Bhai Dooj ties the siblings.
What is done
Lakshmi-Ganesh puja
The evening's central puja in Pradosh — see the full step-by-step guide.
Deep daan
Rows of diyas at every threshold, window, and corner.
Chopda pujan
Business books and instruments blessed for the new year.
Best timings
Lakshmi puja in Pradosh kaal with sthir lagna (often Vrishabha) preferred; exact muhurat varies by city.
Exact muhurat varies by city and tradition — for the precise hour, consult a local panchang for your location.
Worth knowing
Jain tradition keeps the same night as Mahavira's nirvana; Sikhs, as Bandi Chhor Divas.
In Bengal, Odisha and Assam the same amavasya is Kali Puja — the Mother worshipped at midnight, the lamps lit for her.
Ayodhya's Deepotsav now lights lakhs of diyas along the Saryu in one evening — a Guinness-record river of lamps.
Mantras of this festival
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
Mahalakshmi mantra
Begin jaap →ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै च धीमहि । तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Lakshmi Gayatri
Begin jaap →नमस्तेऽस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते । शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam — opening
Begin jaap →ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Ganesha mantra
Begin jaap →