Deepavali 2026 in Singapore: Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Dhanteras Timing, Oil-Bath Morning and the 5-Day Guide

Quick answer: Deepavali 2026 in Singapore is on Sunday 8 November. Tamil families begin with the pre-dawn oil bath that morning, and the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is 7:19 PM – 9:13 PM SGT that evening (Drik Panchang). Dhanteras is Friday 6 November (puja muhurat 7:28 PM – 9:13 PM). Govardhan Puja is Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj Wednesday 11 November, the same as in India.

Singapore is one of the few places outside India where Deepavali is a national public holiday and a citywide celebration, with Little India glowing for weeks beforehand. This guide brings together everything a Hindu household needs for 2026: the exact Lakshmi Puja and Dhanteras timings for Singapore, the five-day calendar, the Tamil Deepavali morning and the North Indian Lakshmi Puja evening, and a devotional step-by-step puja for your home. For Diwali across Australia and the Gulf as well, see our Diwali 2026 Australia, UAE & Singapore guide.

Deepavali 2026 dates in Singapore: the five days

These are Drik Panchang's dates for Singapore and they match India exactly. This year the two great strands of Deepavali meet on one day: the South Indian celebration of Naraka Chaturdashi at dawn and the North Indian Lakshmi Puja at dusk both fall on Sunday 8 November. Friends in the USA, Canada, the UK and the UAE will keep Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj a day earlier (9 and 10 November) — both calendars are right for where they are used.

Lakshmi Puja and Dhanteras muhurat in Singapore

Lakshmi Puja is offered on Amavasya evening in Pradosh Kaal — the first part of the night after sunset — and ideally while Vrishabha (Taurus) lagna, a fixed sign, is rising, so that Lakshmi's grace remains steady in the home. The muhurat is the overlap of the two, using the sidereal zodiac: this is the method Drik Panchang uses, and the Singapore times below are Drik Panchang's published values.

Singapore's timings apply across the island — from Jurong to Tampines and Woodlands to Sentosa the difference is well under a minute. The window lasts close to two hours and closes with Pradosh Kaal at 9:13 PM, so begin the sankalp and Ganesh puja a few minutes before 7:19 PM. Families in Johor Bahru can use the same times as a close guide, but should check a Malaysian panchang.

Never convert India's muhurat to Singapore time

India's Lakshmi Puja muhurat is 5:54 PM – 7:50 PM IST (New Delhi, Drik Panchang). Adding Singapore's two and a half hours gives 8:24 PM – 10:20 PM — over an hour after Singapore's window has opened, and running more than an hour past the end of local Pradosh Kaal. A muhurat is tied to your own sunset and the lagna rising over your own horizon, so it must be calculated for Singapore. Use 7:19 PM – 9:13 PM, or the time your temple announces — not a converted Indian time.

Tamil Deepavali: the morning of Sunday 8 November

For most Hindus in Singapore — the majority of whom trace their roots to Tamil Nadu — Deepavali is the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi, celebrating Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura and the triumph of light over darkness. Customs vary by family, but commonly include:

• Ganga snanam, the oil bath: before sunrise, elders apply warm gingelly (sesame) oil to the head of each family member, followed by a bath with shikakai or herbal powder. Tradition holds that on this morning the water of every bath is as holy as the Ganga — hence the greeting "Ganga snanam aacha?" ("Have you had your Ganga bath?").
• New clothes and blessings: everyone wears new clothes laid out on the puja shelf the night before, and children seek their elders' blessings.
• Deepavali marundhu and sweets: a spoonful of the herbal lehiyam to aid digestion, followed by murukku, adhirasam, laddoo and other homemade treats.
• Temple darshan: a visit to the family temple in the morning; expect large crowds at temples in Little India and across the island.
• Open house: Singapore's much-loved custom of welcoming friends and neighbours of every community for food and greetings later in the day.
• Thalai Deepavali: a newly married couple's first Deepavali, traditionally celebrated at the bride's parents' home.

Many Tamil households also light lamps and offer Lakshmi-Kubera worship in the evening, and some observe Kedara Gauri Vratam around Amavasya — follow your own family calendar.

Lakshmi-Ganesh puja at home: step by step

For North Indian, Gujarati, Marwari, Sindhi and many other families in Singapore, the evening Lakshmi Puja is the heart of Deepavali: a lamp-lit welcome to Mahalakshmi, the Mother of prosperity and grace, with Ganesha worshipped first.

Samagri

• Murtis or a picture of Lakshmi and Ganesha on a chowki covered with red cloth
• A kalash with water, mango or betel leaves and a coconut, set on rice
• Ghee or oil diyas (kuthu vilakku for many Tamil homes), incense, camphor and a bell
• Kumkum, haldi, chandan, akshat, flowers (lotus or jasmine) and a garland
• Naivedya: kheer or payasam, laddoos, kheel-batashe and fruit
• Coins, some cash and account books for business families

The puja

1. Prepare: clean the home, make a kolam or rangoli at the door, bathe and wear fresh clothes. Face east or north, with Ganesha seated on Lakshmi's right (your left).
2. Achaman and lamp: sip water three times, sprinkle water over yourself and the samagri, and light the main lamp.
3. Sankalp: holding water, rice and a flower, state your name, gotra, the place ("in Singapore"), the day — Kartika Amavasya, Sunday 8 November 2026 — and your prayer. Release the water into a plate.
4. Ganesh puja: kumkum, akshat, a flower and a sweet, with "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah".
5. Kalash puja: honour the kalash with kumkum and flowers.
6. Avahan of Mahalakshmi: invite the Goddess with folded hands, offer water for her feet and bathe the murti in panchamrit and clean water.
7. Offerings: chandan, kumkum, akshat, flowers, garland, incense and lamp; place coins and books before her and mark them with kumkum.
8. Japa: chant "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" 108 times, or 11 or 21.
9. Naivedya and aarti: offer the sweets and fruit, then sing "Om Jai Lakshmi Mata" while circling the lamp clockwise.
10. Close: ask forgiveness for any lapse, seek elders' blessings, share prasad and light lamps around the home.

Mantras and their meaning

• Om Gan Ganapataye Namah — "Salutations to Ganapati", remover of obstacles.
• Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — "Om, I bow to Mahalakshmi." Shreem is Lakshmi's seed syllable, the sound of abundance, beauty and auspiciousness.
• Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe, Vishnupatnyai Cha Dhimahi, Tanno Lakshmih Prachodayat — Lakshmi Gayatri: "May we know Mahalakshmi; may we meditate on Vishnu's consort; may Lakshmi illumine us."
• Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanya Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha — to Kubera, lord of wealth, for prosperity used wisely.

Aarti: Om Jai Lakshmi Mata

Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata; Tumko nishdin sevat, Hara Vishnu Vidhata. — "Victory to you, Mother Lakshmi; Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma serve you day and night." Uma Rama Brahmani, tum hi jag-mata — "You are Uma, Rama and Brahmani, Mother of the world."

Dhanteras, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj

Dhanteras, Friday 6 November: Lord Dhanvantari, the divine healer who rose from the ocean of milk with the pot of amrit, is honoured, and Lakshmi's wealth is welcomed. Families buy gold, silver or a new vessel, offer a short Lakshmi-Kubera puja between 7:28 PM and 9:13 PM, and place the Yama Deepam — a four-wick lamp facing south — near the door for the family's protection.

Govardhan Puja, Tuesday 10 November: Krishna lifted Govardhan hill to shelter the people of Vraj; temples offer Annakut, a mountain of vegetarian dishes, and Gujarati families celebrate their New Year.

Bhai Dooj, Wednesday 11 November: sisters apply tilak and pray for their brothers' long life, as Yamuna did for Yama; brothers give gifts in return.

Practical tips for Deepavali in Singapore

• Public holiday: Deepavali is a gazetted public holiday. With 8 November on a Sunday, the Monday after is normally the day off in lieu — confirm on the Ministry of Manpower's official list.
• Little India light-up: the streets around Serangoon Road are traditionally decorated with lights and arches for several weeks before Deepavali, with festive stalls selling flowers, clothes, sweets and puja items. Official dates and programmes are announced each year — check the organisers' announcements rather than older posts. Go on a weekday evening to avoid the heaviest crowds, and take the MRT.
• No firecrackers: firecrackers are banned in Singapore. Celebrate with lamps, kolam and lights.
• Lamps in HDB flats: keep oil lamps on a heat-proof tray away from curtains, never leave them burning unattended, and do not place them in common corridors.
• A long Sunday: with the oil bath before dawn and Lakshmi Puja after 7 PM, plan an afternoon rest for elders and children.

Temples in Singapore

Singapore's long-established temples — including Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown, and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in Little India — hold special Deepavali prayers and are very busy on the morning of 8 November, while North Indian temples hold Lakshmi Puja in the evening. Check each temple's own notices for 2026 timings.

Frequently asked questions

When is Deepavali 2026 in Singapore?

Deepavali is on Sunday 8 November 2026 in Singapore. Tamil families celebrate with the pre-dawn oil bath that morning (Naraka Chaturdashi), and North Indian families perform Lakshmi Puja that evening. Dhanteras is Friday 6 November, Govardhan Puja Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj Wednesday 11 November (Drik Panchang for Singapore).

What is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Singapore on Deepavali 2026?

The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in Singapore is 7:19 PM – 9:13 PM SGT on Sunday 8 November 2026, within Pradosh Kaal of 6:50 PM – 9:13 PM. This is Drik Panchang's published time for Singapore.

Is Deepavali a public holiday in Singapore in 2026?

Yes, Deepavali is a gazetted public holiday in Singapore. Because 8 November 2026 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is normally observed as the holiday under Singapore's rules for Sunday holidays. Check the Ministry of Manpower's official 2026 public holiday list to confirm.

Can I use India's Lakshmi Puja time in Singapore by adding 2.5 hours?

No. India's window (5:54 PM – 7:50 PM IST in New Delhi) converts to 8:24 PM – 10:20 PM SGT. It starts more than an hour after Singapore's correct window opens and runs past the end of local Pradosh Kaal. Use Singapore's muhurat, 7:19 PM – 9:13 PM.

What is the Dhanteras puja muhurat in Singapore in 2026?

Dhanteras is Friday 6 November 2026. The Dhanteras puja muhurat in Singapore is 7:28 PM – 9:13 PM, within Pradosh Kaal of 6:50 PM – 9:13 PM.

When should Tamil families take the Deepavali oil bath in 2026?

The traditional oil bath (Ganga snanam) is taken before sunrise on Naraka Chaturdashi, which in Singapore is the morning of Sunday 8 November 2026 — the same day as the evening Lakshmi Puja. Many families follow the exact pre-dawn time given in their Tamil panchangam or announced by their temple.

Editor's note (5 October 2026): Festival dates and the Lakshmi Puja and Dhanteras muhurats follow Drik Panchang's published values for Singapore; the muhurat is the overlap of Pradosh Kaal and the sidereal Vrishabha lagna. Little India light-up dates and temple programmes are not yet confirmed — organisers are still publishing 2026 flyers; we will update this guide.

Related guides

• Diwali 2026 — dates, rituals and significance
• Diwali 2026 in Australia, UAE & Singapore
• Diwali 2026 Australia: Lakshmi Puja muhurat city by city
• Diwali 2026 Dubai & UAE: Lakshmi Puja muhurat and 5-day guide
• Navratri 2026 Singapore
• Dussehra 2026 Singapore, area by area
• Karwa Chauth 2026 — city-wise moonrise times
• November 2026 Hindu festivals calendar