Diwali / Muhurat
Diwali muhurat 2026: every auspicious window, explained
The full breakdown of Diwali 2026's Lakshmi Puja timing — fixed-lagna windows, Pradosh Kaal, and how Choghadiya timing fits in, for New Delhi.
Diwali 2026 — all muhurat windows
Muhurat & Choghadiya calculator
Sunday, 8 November 2026 · Diwali · pick your city, timings update instantly
Pradosh Kaal is the twilight window Lakshmi Puja sits inside — it runs from sunset to one-fifth of the way through the night, so it moves with your city's sunset. The fixed-lagna window (5:54–7:50 PM) inside it is a New Delhi figure.
Day Choghadiya
Night Choghadiya
Sunrise and sunset are computed with the NOAA solar algorithm for your selected city; Choghadiya divides sunrise→sunset and sunset→next sunrise into eight equal parts each, with the sequence set by the weekday. Cross-checked against DrikPanchang's published tables. Lagna-based windows (like Vrishabha Kaal) need a separate sidereal calculation and are quoted for New Delhi only — see the note beside them.
The recommended window: fixed-lagna + Pradosh Kaal
Most panchang authorities recommend performing Lakshmi Puja when two conditions overlap: Pradosh Kaal — the roughly two-hour twilight period straddling sunset — and a fixed (sthira) lagna, an astrological rising sign that doesn't change quickly. Four lagnas are considered fixed: Vrishchika (Scorpio), Kumbha (Aquarius), Vrishabha (Taurus), and Simha (Leo). The idea is straightforward: a "fixed" sign is thought to help wealth and prosperity settle into the home rather than pass through, so worship performed during one of these windows is considered to carry it longer.
For New Delhi in 2026, Vrishabha Lagna runs from 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM and sits almost entirely inside the 5:31 PM–8:09 PM Pradosh Kaal window — which is why that 5:54–7:50 PM range is the single most-recommended muhurat this year. If that window doesn't work for your household, Kumbha Lagna (1:26 PM–2:54 PM) and Simha Lagna (12:25 AM–2:42 AM on November 9) are the daytime and late-night alternatives.
What is Choghadiya, and how is it different?
Choghadiya is a separate, older timing system that divides daylight and nighttime hours each into eight equal segments, then labels each segment with one of seven repeating qualities based on planetary rulership. It's a broader, simpler system than fixed-lagna muhurat — used widely across Gujarat and parts of North India for choosing a good time for everyday activities, not just major ceremonies.
Amrit
The best-rated period — suitable for any important activity, including Lakshmi Puja.
Shubh
Good for worship, ceremonies, and starting new, positive undertakings.
Labh
Favorable for financial activity, business openings, and education.
Char
Neutral-to-good; commonly used for travel and general activity.
Kaal
Considered inauspicious for starting new activities — best avoided.
Rog
Associated with obstacles or illness; generally avoided for ceremonies.
Udveg
Associated with anxiety or conflict; avoided for important starts.
On Diwali night 2026, the Amrit Kaal period — 10:01 PM to 11:43 PM in New Delhi — overlaps with an auspicious Choghadiya segment, making it a reasonable secondary window for households who prefer to worship later in the evening, after the primary 5:54–7:50 PM muhurat.
Methodology & accuracy note
The timings on this page use the Drik Ganit Panchang method — modern positional astronomy applied to traditional tithi, lagna, and Choghadiya rules — cross-checked against DrikPanchang.com for New Delhi, India. Every muhurat window shifts with local sunset, so times will differ by several minutes for cities east or west of Delhi. Treat this page as a well-sourced reference, and confirm with a local panchang or priest for the exact minute in your city.