When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When is Diwali Laxmi Pujan in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Diwali Laxmi Pujan 2026 will be celebrated on Monday, November 9, 2026 (Kartik Amavasya). The Amavasya tithi prevails during the evening hours, which is the most auspicious window for Lakshmi Pujan.

What is the exact Laxmi Pujan 2026 Muhurat in Maharashtra?

The prime Laxmi Pujan Muhurat (Pradosh Kaal with fixed Vrishabha Lagna) is from 05:45 PM to 08:14 PM on Monday, November 9, 2026. The ideal window for fixed wealth stability (Vrishabha Lagna) is from 06:05 PM to 08:02 PM. The late-night Mahanishita Kaal Muhurat runs from 11:41 PM to 12:32 AM.

What is Chopda Pujan and who performs it on Laxmi Pujan?

Chopda Pujan is the ritual worship of commercial account books, ledger registers, and digital accounting systems. Businessmen, traders, professionals, and shopkeepers across Maharashtra perform this pujan to inaugurate the new financial year, seeking Goddess Saraswati's wisdom and Goddess Lakshmi's prosperity.

Why are Lahya (popped rice) and Batashe offered during Laxmi Pujan in Maharashtra?

Lahya (puffed paddy) represents the newly harvested rice crop of the autumn season (Kharif harvest). Offering the first grains of the fresh harvest mixed with sweet Batashe and coriander seeds (Dhana) to Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes agricultural thanksgiving and prayers for boundless abundance.

Which Marathi Aarti is sung during Diwali Laxmi Pujan?

The traditional aarti 'Jai Devi Jai Devi Jai Mahalaxmi... Karveerpurvasini Survar Pujite' dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur is sung by families, followed by Lord Ganesha's 'Sukhkarta Dukhharta' and Karpura Gauram.

Diwali Laxmi Pujan 2026 | लक्ष्मीपूजन २०२६

Diwali Laxmi Pujan 2026 Chopda Pujan Maharashtra Setup

Looking for calendar views and tithis?

Read more about the exact tithi timings and planetary alignments in our comprehensive November 2026 Calendar.

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About Diwali Laxmi Pujan(उत्सव माहिती)

Diwali Laxmi Pujan (लक्ष्मी पूजन) is the grand spiritual pinnacle of the entire Diwali festival in Maharashtra. Celebrated on the moonless night (Amavasya) of the dark fortnight in the holy month of Kartik, this sacred evening transforms every Maharashtrian home and business establishment into a resplendent sanctuary of divine light, purity, and spiritual grace.

Tradition dictates that on Kartik Amavasya night, Goddess Mahalakshmi — the consort of Lord Vishnu and the bestower of wealth, fortune, and righteousness — descends to Earth and visits households that are clean, radiant with light, and filled with peaceful devotion. In every corner of Maharashtra, doorways are adorned with glowing rows of earthen lamps (Pantis), skyward-facing paper lanterns (Akashkandils), and vibrant Rangolis illustrating the divine lotus and Goddess Lakshmi's holy footsteps entering the home.

Alongside Goddess Lakshmi, devotees worship Lord Ganesha (the remover of obstacles), Goddess Saraswati (the deity of wisdom, arts, and intellect), and Lord Kubera (the celestial keeper of cosmic wealth). For merchants, traders, and corporate offices across Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, this evening is celebrated with Chopda Pujan — the consecration of new financial account books, registers, and computers with turmeric, kumkum, and auspicious swastika marks.

History: According to ancient Vedic lore, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the cosmic Ocean of Milk (Kshira Sagara) during the great churning (Samudra Manthan) on Kartik Amavasya. She was welcomed by the Gods, Gandharvas, and Sages with divine lotus garlands and Vedic hymns. Lord Vishnu accepted her hand, and the universe was bathed in boundless spiritual and material prosperity. Lighting oil lamps on this moonless night commemorates her triumphant arrival and banishes the gloom of poverty and ignorance.

From an epic perspective, Kartik Amavasya marks the grand homecoming of Lord Rama, Sita Mata, and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and the defeat of Ravana. The ecstatic citizens of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with hundreds of thousands of clay oil lamps, turning the dark night into an eternal day of joy.

In Maharashtra's cultural and commercial history, the trading guilds and royal courts of the Maratha Empire under the Chhatrapatis celebrated Laxmi Pujan with state honors. Weapons, royal treasuries, and state ledgers were consecrated at Raigad, while citizens opened their doors to share Lahya-Batashe (crispy puffed paddy and sugar cakes) with every traveler and neighbor, reflecting the deep Maharashtrian ethos of egalitarian abundance.

Significance: Laxmi Pujan unites celestial devotion, financial ethics, and community goodwill:

Welcoming Goddess Lakshmi (लक्ष्मी आगमन): Devotees maintain that Goddess Lakshmi dwells only in homes that are clean, peaceful, fragrant, and free of malice. The ritual cleansing and lighting of lamps invites lasting prosperity, peace, and spiritual harmony.
Chopda Pujan & Ethical Commerce (हिशोबाच्या वह्यांची पूजा): Business communities perform sacred ledger worship, pledging honesty, fair pricing, and ethical enterprise in the upcoming Hindu financial year (Vikram Samvat).
The Sacred Lahya-Batashe Tradition (लाह्या आणि बत्ताशे): In Maharashtra, the mandatory naivedya of Laxmi Pujan consists of freshly popped paddy (Lahya) and sugar candies (Batashe). Freshly harvested autumn paddy represents the agricultural heart of Maharashtra. Offering the first puffed grains of the new crop to the goddess expresses deepest gratitude to mother Earth.
Dispersing Alakshmi (अलक्ष्मी निसारण): At midnight, after the formal worship, elderly women gently sweep the threshold with a broom or beat a winnowing basket (Soop) with the proclamation *'Alakshmi jaao, Mahalakshmi yaao'* (May misfortune and poverty leave, and may divine wealth enter).

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Cleaning and purifying the puja room, drawing auspicious Rangoli of Goddess Lakshmi's footprints (पाऊले) pointing inwards from the main door to the altar.

Setting up the Puja Altar: Spreading a red or yellow silk cloth over a wooden platform (Pat), creating a grain bed of wheat or rice, and establishing the sacred copper/silver Kalash with mango leaves and coconut.

Placing idols or images of Goddess Mahalakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Kubera on the altar.

Chopda Pujan: Inscribing the sacred symbols 'ॐ', 'श्री', and the Swastika in Kumkum and Sandalwood paste on account registers, notebooks, or office computers.

Consecrating newly bought gold ornaments, silver coins (Lakshmi coins), and currency notes with Akshata and fragrant flower petals.

Offering sacred Shodashopachara Pujan with Haldi-Kumkum, lotus flowers, bilva leaves, durva grass to Lord Ganesha, and lighting unbroken cow-ghee lamps (Akhand Diya).

Offering the traditional Maharashtrian Naivedya: Puffed paddy (Lahya), Batashe, roasted coriander seeds (Dhana), sugarcane pieces, pedha, and fresh fruits.

Singing traditional aartis: 'Jai Devi Jai Devi Jai Mahalaxmi', 'Sukhkarta Dukhharta', and reciting the Sri Suktam and Lakshmi Stotram.

Lighting 13, 21, or 51 earthen lamps (Pantis) with sesame oil and placing them across all windows, verandas, and thresholds of the home.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Lahya-Batashe and roasted Dhana (sacred popped rice with sugar candy and coriander seeds)

Traditional Diwali Faral platter (Chakli, Karanji, Besan Ladoo, Shankarpali, and spicy Chivda)

Puran Poli served hot with melted pure cow ghee and fragrant Katachi Amti

Saffron-infused Shrikhand and puffed golden Puris

Kaju Katli, Mawa Pedha, and Motichoor Ladoos