Diwali Muhurat 2026: Know the Right Date and Time for Lakshmi Puja in the USA

Living in the USA and wondering which time to use for Diwali puja? Do not use India's puja time for the USA. The date is the same, Sunday, 8 November 2026, but the puja time depends on your city's sunset.

This blog gives you the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for New York, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Seattle. You will also find the five-day calendar, a samagri list, a simple puja method and tips for doing puja in an apartment.

Diwali 2026 Date and Muhurat in the USA 

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Clocks move back by one hour, which means it gets dark earlier in the evening. Because of this, the muhurat in most US cities begins between 4:55 PM and 5:52 PM.

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat in US Cities

All times are local. Nearby cities are usually within a few minutes of these times. Edison and Jersey City follow New York. Naperville follows Chicago. Plano and Sugar Land follow Houston. Irvine and San Diego follow Los Angeles.

Websites can differ by a minute or two because they use slightly different map points. Check with your local temple or pandit, and keep the puja inside Pradosh Kaal.

What Is a Muhurat and Why Does It Matter?

A muhurat is a special time that is considered good for an important task. On Diwali, families choose a special time to pray to Goddess Lakshmi at home. 

Lakshmi Puja is done on Kartik Amavasya, the new moon night. The best time is Pradosh Kaal. It starts at sunset and lasts about 2 hours and 24 minutes. Pandits choose a shorter time within this period for the main puja. That window is the Lakshmi Puja muhurat.

In New York, Pradosh Kaal runs from 4:44 PM to 7:31 PM. In Houston, it runs from 5:29 PM to 8:08 PM. The muhurat sits inside these hours. If you miss the muhurat by a few minutes, try to finish the puja before Pradosh Kaal ends.

Why You Cannot Use India's Time in the USA

For New Delhi, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM. IIf you use this time in the USA, you may do the puja at the wrong time. In fact, 5:54 PM in New Delhi is early morning in New York.

Sunset happens at a different time in each city. On 8 November, sunset is about 4:44 PM in New York, 4:54 PM in Los Angeles and 5:29 PM in Houston. The muhurat follows sunset, so every city gets its own time. The good news is that Diwali falls on the same date across the USA this year.  Because 8 November is a Sunday, most families are at home and can do the puja together.

The Five Days of Diwali 2026 in the USA

Dhanteras, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj fall on working days. Keep the puja short on those days, and do it before or after work. Bhai Dooj dates can differ by calendar, so confirm with your temple.

Diwali Puja Samagri List

Diwali Puja Samagri List

Keep everything ready by Saturday. You will need:

• Idols or photos of Lakshmi and Ganesh

• A clean red or yellow cloth

• A kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut

• Roli, kumkum, rice (akshat) and turmeric

• Flowers and a flower garland

• Incense sticks and camphor

• Diyas, ghee or oil, and cotton wicks

• Sweets, fruits and dry fruits for bhog

• Betel leaves, betel nuts and a few coins

• A puja thali and a small bell

You can buy these items from Indian grocery stores, temple shops, or online. Shop early, because stocks run low near Dhanteras.

How to Do Lakshmi Puja at Home

1. Clean the house and the puja area in the morning.

2. Draw rangoli at the main door.

3. Bathe and wear fresh clothes before the muhurat.

4. Spread the cloth on a clean platform. Place Lakshmi on the right side of Ganesh.

5. Set the kalash near the idols.

6. Light a diya and incense.

7. Pray to Lord Ganesh first. He is worshipped at the start of every good work.

8. Offer roli, rice, flowers and sweets to Goddess Lakshmi.

9. Read the Lakshmi aarti or chant her mantra with your family.

10. Share the prasad. Light diyas at the door, windows and balcony.

You do not need a long puja. A short puja with your family can still feel special.  If you do not know the mantras, play a Lakshmi aarti video and sing along.

Doing Diwali Puja in an Apartment

Many families in the USA live in apartments or condos. Check your building rules before you light lamps. Some buildings do not allow open flames or fireworks.

• Use LED diyas or tea lights in glass holders if flames are not allowed.

• Keep every flame away from curtains, sofas and paper decor.

• Never leave a lit diya alone.

• Incense and camphor can set off smoke alarms. Open a window and use less.

• Tell your neighbours about the puja time and share some sweets.

Easy Rangoli and Decor Ideas for American Homes

Decorations make your home feel festive before the puja begins. These ideas need little time and money:

• Make a flower rangoli with marigold and rose petals near the main door.

• Use rangoli stickersor colored rice if floor colors are not allowed in your building.

• Hang a toran of marigolds or paper flowers on the door.

• Float flowers and a tea light in a wide bowl of water.

• Use warm yellow string lights on the balcony or windows.

Gifts for Diwali Night

Giving gifts is a big part of Diwali. After the puja, families share sweets and presents and sending Diwali gifts to USA is a simple way to show love and respect. 

Here are some simple ideas:

• For parents and elders, dry fruit boxes, silver coins or a small Lakshmi-Ganesh idol.

• For friends and neighbours sweet boxes, scented candles or a diya set.

• For office colleagues mixed gift hampers with sweets and nuts.

• For families in India a hamper sent from the USA, so it reaches before 8 November.

• For children chocolate boxes, colouring sets or small toys.

Order at least a week before Dhanteras, which is Friday, 6 November. Delivery slots can fill quickly, and gifts may arrive late if you order at the last minute. Add a handwritten card. A short Diwali wish makes a simple box feel personal.

Final Words

Diwali is a special time to spend with family, follow traditions, and pray for health, happiness, and success. By checking your city's puja time on Sunday, November 8, 2026, you can do your prayers during Pradosh Kaal. Preparing your home and buying your puja items early through TheGiftPortal can help you enjoy a smooth and peaceful Diwali with your family.

Along with the puja, sharing festive hampers with family and friends can make Diwali more special. Ordering sweets and gift hampers early makes it easy to share Diwali wishes with friends, family, and neighbours. If you need any help picking the perfect gift hamper, feel free to visit our Contact Us page, deck up your home, and enjoy a bright and prosperous Diwali 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Diwali in the USA in 2026?
   Diwali is on Sunday, 8 November 2026, in all US time zones.

2. What is the Lakshmi Puja time in New York?
   The muhurat is 5:04 PM to 6:52 PM on 8 November.

3. What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Los Angeles?
   The muhurat is 5:16 PM to 7:08 PM on 8 November.

4. What is the Lakshmi Puja time in Chicago and Houston?
   Chicago is 4:55 PM to 6:43 PM. Houston is 5:52 PM to 7:47 PM.

5. When is Dhanteras 2026?
   Friday, 6 November 2026.

6. Can I do Lakshmi Puja after the muhurat?
   The muhurat is the best time. If you are late, try to finish inside Pradosh Kaal and ask your pandit for advice.

7. Can I use LED diyas for the puja?
   Many families do this in apartments where flames are not allowed. Ask your pandit if you have a doubt.