Quick answer: Diwali 2026 is celebrated on Sunday, 8 November 2026, with Lakshmi Puja as the central ritual. Chanting 108 sacred mantras dedicated to Lakshmi, Ganesha and Kubera during this festival of lights is believed to invoke divine blessings for wealth, prosperity, health and happiness.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most sacred and joyous occasions in the Hindu calendar. In 2026, the five-day celebration culminates in Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November 2026, a day considered especially auspicious for inviting the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi into every home. Chanting mantras during this period is a time-honoured way to purify the mind, focus devotion and invoke prosperity, health and happiness.

Diwali 2026 Dates You Should Know

Diwali is not a single day but a radiant sequence of five days, each with its own spiritual significance. Knowing the exact dates helps you plan your prayers, puja and mantra recitation with sincerity and calm.

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DayDate
DhanterasFriday, 6 November 2026
Naraka Chaturdasi / Choti DiwaliSaturday, 7 November 2026
Diwali / Lakshmi PujaSunday, 8 November 2026
Govardhan Puja / AnnakutMonday, 9 November 2026
Bhai DoojTuesday, 10 November 2026

Why Chant Mantras on Diwali and Why 108 Times?

A mantra is a sacred sound, word or phrase that carries spiritual energy; repeating it with devotion steadies the mind and aligns the heart with the divine. On Diwali, when the atmosphere is charged with light, mantra chanting is believed to remove obstacles and open the doors to abundance. In the Hindu tradition, 108 is a deeply sacred number, and a traditional japa mala carries 108 beads, so completing one full round transforms simple recitation into meditative prayer.

Mantras for Goddess Lakshmi — The Bestower of Wealth

Goddess Lakshmi is the divine source of wealth, fortune and abundance, and she is the principal deity worshipped on Diwali night. Her mantras are chanted to invite prosperity, harmony and grace into the household. The most beloved among these is the simple and powerful Lakshmi beeja mantra, Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah, which devotees repeat with a clean lamp lit before the goddess.

  • Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah — a classic mantra invoking Mahalakshmi for wealth and abundance.
  • Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhyo Namah — chanted for growing prosperity and financial stability.
  • The Mahalakshmi Ashtakam — an eight-verse hymn praising the eight forms of Lakshmi, best recited from a trusted source.
  • The Sri Suktam — a revered Vedic hymn to Lakshmi, traditionally chanted during formal Lakshmi Puja.

Mantras for Lord Ganesha — The Remover of Obstacles

Before any auspicious beginning, Hindus first honour Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the lord of new beginnings. During Diwali puja, Ganesha is worshipped alongside Lakshmi so that wealth arrives smoothly and remains protected. Chanting his mantras clears the path for the goddess's blessings to flow freely.

  • Om Gam Ganapataye Namah — the celebrated seed mantra for removing obstacles and inviting success.
  • Vakratunda Mahakaya — the well-known dhyana verse recited to seek Ganesha's guidance at the start of any work.
  • Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah — a simple, heartfelt salutation suitable for daily and festival chanting.

Mantras for Kubera and Dhanvantari

Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, presides over wealth and hidden treasures, and his mantras are chanted especially around Dhanteras and Diwali for financial well-being. Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, is honoured on Dhanteras for health and healing, reminding us that true prosperity includes wellness of body and mind.

DeityBlessing Sought
Goddess LakshmiWealth, abundance and household harmony
Lord GaneshaRemoval of obstacles and new beginnings
Lord KuberaFinancial stability and treasures
Lord DhanvantariHealth, healing and long life

How to Chant Diwali Mantras Correctly

  1. Bathe and wear clean clothes, then sit in a quiet, tidy space facing east or north.
  2. Light a lamp or diya and, if you wish, offer flowers and incense before the deity's image.
  3. Hold a japa mala of 108 beads and take a few slow, calming breaths.
  4. Chant your chosen mantra clearly and with devotion, moving one bead per repetition.
  5. Complete one full round of 108 repetitions, keeping the mind focused on the divine.
  6. Close by sitting in silent gratitude for a few moments before ending your prayer.

Bringing It All Together for 2026

As the lamps glow on Sunday, 8 November 2026, let your voice join the timeless chorus of devotion that has echoed for centuries. Whether you chant a single beeja mantra 108 times or recite a full hymn to Lakshmi, the sincerity of your heart is what invites divine grace. May this Diwali fill your home with light, your life with prosperity and your days with lasting happiness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is Diwali celebrated in 2026?

The main day of Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The five-day festival runs from Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November 2026 to Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

Which mantra is best for Diwali wealth and prosperity?

The Lakshmi mantra Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah is among the most popular for invoking wealth and abundance. Chanting it 108 times during Lakshmi Puja is considered especially auspicious.

Why do we chant mantras 108 times?

108 is a sacred number in Hinduism, and a traditional japa mala has 108 beads. Completing one full round is considered a complete cycle of devotion that helps the mind settle deeply into the mantra.

Can I chant Diwali mantras at home without a priest?

Yes. Diwali mantras can be chanted at home with sincerity and devotion. Simply light a lamp, sit in a clean space and chant with a focused, grateful heart.

What is the best time to chant on Diwali?

The early morning Brahma Muhurta and the Lakshmi Puja on Diwali evening are considered ideal. For exact local muhurat timings in 2026, check with your local temple or community announcements.

Should I worship Ganesha before Lakshmi on Diwali?

Yes. Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is traditionally honoured first so that the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi flow smoothly and remain protected.

Do I need a japa mala to chant Diwali mantras?

A 108-bead japa mala helps you count repetitions and stay focused, but it is not mandatory. What matters most is chanting with devotion and a calm, sincere mind.

Which deities are worshipped during Diwali 2026?

Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are the central deities. Lord Kubera is honoured for wealth and Lord Dhanvantari for health, especially around Dhanteras on 6 November 2026.