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By Astrologer Praveen Kumar · 14 February 2026 · Updated 3 October 2026
Across Bihar, Diwali (दीपावली, Deepawali) is the most awaited festival of the year. Homes glow with diyas, traders close their old account books, and families gather to worship Goddess Lakshmi (लक्ष्मी), the giver of wealth and prosperity. Behind the lights and sweets lies a precise astrological framework. The timing of Lakshmi Puja, the choice of muhurat and the sequence of the five-day celebration are all governed by the Panchang. Understanding this helps you perform the rituals correctly and invite abundance into your home.
Diwali falls on Kartik Amavasya (the new moon of Kartik in the Purnimant calendar used across North India and Bihar). In 2026 the Amavasya that matters for Lakshmi Puja is in early November — most published North Indian Panchangs place Diwali on 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras two days earlier and Bhai Dooj two days later. Because the Amavasya tithi begins and ends at different clock times in different places, always confirm the exact evening window from a local Panchang for Patna (or your own town) before fixing your puja. We do not publish generic clock times — they mislead more than they help.
Chhath Puja follows about six days after Diwali, so many Bihar households plan both festivals together. See our guide to Chhath Puja astrology.
In Vedic tradition, a muhurat (मुहूर्त) is a window of time when the Panchang factors are favourable for a particular action. Worshipping Lakshmi at the right muhurat is believed to multiply the blessings received. Performing the puja in a rush, or during an inauspicious period, is thought to dilute its effect.
The Diwali muhurat depends on five things: the tithi (Amavasya must prevail in the evening), the kaal (Pradosh or Nishita), the rising lagna (fixed sign preferred), the Choghadiya and the avoidance of Rahu Kaal. Classical works on electional astrology such as Muhurta Chintamani explain why fixed ascendants are chosen for works meant to last. A qualified astrologer in Patna calculates the window for your exact city, whether you are in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur or Bhagalpur.
| Day | Tithi | Main ritual | Astrological focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Kartik Krishna Trayodashi | Dhanvantari and Lakshmi puja, buying metal, Yama Deepdaan | Wealth and health, Venus and Jupiter |
| Naraka Chaturdashi | Krishna Chaturdashi | Abhyanga Snan, Yama diya | Cleansing, removing negativity |
| Lakshmi Puja | Amavasya | Lakshmi-Ganesh-Kuber puja, bahi-khata puja | Fixed lagna, Pradosh Kaal |
| Govardhan Puja | Shukla Pratipada | Annakut, cattle worship | Gratitude, abundance of food |
| Bhai Dooj | Shukla Dwitiya | Tilak, Chitragupta Puja | Sibling bond, Yama blessing |
Dhanteras honours Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, along with Lakshmi and Kubera. Buying gold, silver, brass or new utensils during the Dhanteras muhurat is a widespread custom in Patna's markets, believed to make wealth grow. In the evening a four-wicked diya is placed facing south at the main door for Yama Deepdaan, a prayer for protection from untimely death.
This day commemorates Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura. An early-morning oil bath (Abhyanga Snan) before sunrise is said to cleanse negativity. Many families light a small diya in the evening for Yama as well.
The most important day. The darkness of Amavasya is lit with countless lamps to welcome the Goddess. The puja is ideally performed in Pradosh Kaal (the period of roughly two and a half hours after sunset) while Vrishabha (Taurus) Lagna — a fixed sign — is rising. Families who follow tantric or Kali traditions, common in Purnia, Katihar and parts of Mithila, worship at Mahanishita Kaal around midnight when Simha (Leo), another fixed sign, rises.
Honouring Krishna's lifting of Govardhan hill, this day celebrates nature's abundance. In Mithila, the day after Diwali is also Sukhrati, when cattle are bathed, decorated and worshipped.
Sisters apply tilak and pray for their brother's long life. In the Bhojpur and Magadh regions this day is called Godhan, with the folk ritual of symbolically cursing and then blessing brothers. The Kayastha community across Bihar also performs Chitragupta Puja on this day, worshipping pen, ink and account books.
The ideal Lakshmi Puja is performed when:
Where Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Lagna overlap, the window may be quite short. That overlap is what astrologers call the "best" Lakshmi Puja muhurat. Your personal chart can refine this further — for example, a business owner running a weak Mercury period may be advised to add a Ganesh-Budh element to the puja.
Preparation (morning and afternoon)
Samagri (items)
The puja sequence
Ganesh mantra — ॐ गं गणपतये नमः Om Gam Ganapataye Namah — "Salutations to Lord Ganesha." Chant 11 or 108 times before beginning.
Mahalakshmi mantra — ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — "Salutations to Mahalakshmi, embodied in the seed sound Shreem." Chant 108 times with a lotus-seed (kamalgatta) or crystal mala.
Kubera mantra — ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धनधान्याधिपतये धनधान्यसमृद्धिं मे देहि दापय स्वाहा Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhana-dhanyadhipataye Dhana-dhanya-samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha — "O Kubera, lord of wealth and grain, grant me abundance."
Diwali is a good time to strengthen the planets connected with wealth in your own chart:
If these are weak or afflicted, or a difficult dasha is running, money troubles can persist despite hard work. A Vedic astrology consultation identifies the exact blockage. Traders and shop owners benefit from our business astrology guidance, which also covers timing for new ventures — see business and shop opening muhurat. If debt is the core worry, read our guide to karz mukti remedies.
Remedies tied to the specific planet that is blocking wealth in your chart work better than general practices. Astrology complements, but does not replace, sound financial planning and advice from a qualified financial adviser.
Do
Don't
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Any time on Diwali night is equally good | Tradition prefers Pradosh Kaal with a fixed lagna |
| Expensive puja brings more wealth | Devotion, cleanliness and correct timing matter more than cost |
| One Diwali remedy fixes money problems forever | Remedies support effort; planetary periods also change over time |
| Buying gold on Dhanteras is compulsory | Any new metal item, even a steel utensil, follows the custom |
Bihar's Diwali has its own flavour. In Mithila, families light hukka-pati — bundles of jute sticks — and wave them around the house to drive away darkness, followed by Sukhrati the next day. In Bhojpur and Magadh, Dariddar Bhagana sees women beating an old soop before dawn to drive out poverty. In Purnia and Katihar, Kali Puja pandals light up the night, reflecting the Bengal influence. In Patna, the old city markets of Patna City and the shops around Fraser Road are crowded on Dhanteras, and many families also visit Patan Devi temple during the festive season.
For a personalised Diwali muhurat and wealth reading, bring:
The astrologer checks your 2nd, 9th and 11th houses, running dasha and current transits, then suggests the best window within the general Diwali muhurat and one or two focused remedies.
Diwali is a beautiful blend of devotion, tradition and astrology. Performing Lakshmi Puja at the correct muhurat, understanding the meaning of each of the five days, and strengthening the wealth-giving planets in your chart together create the conditions for prosperity to grow. The lights are the symbol; the timing and intention are the substance.
Astrologer Praveen Kumar can calculate the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for your home and recommend personalised remedies to strengthen the wealth houses in your chart.
Book your consultation with Astrologer Praveen Kumar — Contact us today
Tradition prefers Pradosh Kaal, the roughly two and a half hours after sunset, on Kartik Amavasya, ideally when a fixed ascendant such as Vrishabha (Taurus) is rising. Families who worship at night may also use Mahanishita Kaal around midnight with Simha Lagna. The exact clock time changes every year and by city, so check the local Patna Panchang or ask an astrologer.
Yes. If you miss the ideal window, perform the puja calmly at the next available auspicious period that night, avoiding Rahu Kaal where possible. Sincerity, cleanliness and devotion matter more than panic over a few minutes. Many families also do a short Lakshmi aarti again at midnight to make up for an early or delayed main puja.
Sthir means fixed. The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Classical muhurat practice holds that work begun in a fixed ascendant tends to stay and last, so worshipping Lakshmi during a fixed lagna is believed to make wealth stable in the home. Vrishabha Lagna usually rises in the evening during Diwali, which is why it is preferred.
Jupiter, Venus and Mercury are the main wealth significators, along with the 2nd house of savings, the 11th house of gains, the 9th house of fortune and the lords of these houses. Weak or afflicted wealth lords, or a difficult dasha, can slow income even with hard work. A chart reading shows which planet needs support.
In many villages of Bhojpur and Magadh, women beat an old winnowing basket (soop) with a stick before dawn after Diwali night and walk it out of the house, symbolically driving out poverty, or daridra. It is a folk custom that complements Lakshmi Puja, welcoming wealth on one night and sending away want the next morning.
Book a personalised session with Astrologer Praveen Kumar — Bihar's most trusted Vedic astrologer.
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