Quick answer: Diwali 2026 in New York is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Lakshmi Puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset, which is about 4:44 PM EST in New York that day; confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang. Dhanteras is Friday 6 November, Choti Diwali Saturday 7, Govardhan Puja Monday 9 and Bhai Dooj Tuesday 10 November. Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, Diwali is about three weeks later than last year, and daylight saving time will already have ended.

For Indian families in New York, from Queens and Long Island to New Jersey and Westchester, Diwali is often celebrated in an apartment, after work, with family in India on a video call. Mantras carry the festival into that space. This guide brings together the essential Diwali mantras with simple pronunciation and meaning, a five-day plan for 2026 and practical tips for New York homes.

Diwali 2026 five-day plan for New York

DayDate (2026)FocusSuggested mantras
DhanterasFri 6 NovHealth, wealth, new purchase, Yama deepamDhanvantari, Kubera, Lakshmi beej
Choti DiwaliSat 7 NovEarly oil bath, evening lampsGanesha, Hanuman
Diwali / Lakshmi PujaSun 8 NovMain puja after sunset (about 4:44 PM)Ganesha, Mahalakshmi, Lakshmi Gayatri, Kubera
Govardhan PujaMon 9 NovAnnakut offering to KrishnaOm Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Bhai DoojTue 10 NovSiblings, tilak, prayers for long lifeMaha Mrityunjaya

New York sunset on Dhanteras (6 November) is about 4:46 PM. Remember that Diwali falls on a Sunday this year, so many families can do the full puja at a relaxed pace.

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Lakshmi mantras

Mahalakshmi mantra

Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah (ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः).

Meaning: "O Lotus-dwelling Goddess, be gracious, be gracious; salutations to Mahalakshmi." Pronunciation: Shreem rhymes with "dream"; Kamale is "kuh-muh-lay"; Kamalalaye is "kuh-muh-laa-luh-yay"; Mahalakshmyai is "muh-haa-luck-shmee-yay". Chant 108 times during the evening puja on 8 November, facing east, with a lamp lit before the Goddess.

Lakshmi Gayatri

Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dhimahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat. "We know the great Lakshmi, we meditate on the consort of Vishnu; may Lakshmi inspire us." It joins prosperity with right understanding, a good mantra for the whole family to chant together.

Lakshmi beej mantra (short form)

Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah. Simple enough for children and for busy schedules. Chant 108 times on Diwali and 11 or 21 times daily afterwards, even silently on the subway.

Lakshmi Ashtottara and Kanakadhara Stotram

The 108 names of Lakshmi (beginning "Om Prakrityai Namah, Om Vikrityai Namah, Om Vidyayai Namah...") take about 20 minutes and are often recited while offering kumkum or flowers. Adi Shankaracharya's Kanakadhara Stotram, the "stream of gold" hymn, is traditionally recited on Diwali morning or evening. If the full stotram is too long, the short prayer "Om Mahalakshmi Namastubhyam Namastubhyam Sureshwari" is a beautiful substitute.

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Ganesha mantras: always begin here

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah (ॐ गं गणपतये नमः). The mool mantra of Ganesha, chanted 21 or 108 times before Lakshmi Puja to remove obstacles.

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada. "O Lord with the curved trunk and mighty body, radiant as a million suns, make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always." Recite 11 times at the start of any puja or new venture.

Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat. The Ganesha Gayatri, good for students before exams and for anyone facing a big decision.

Kubera mantras for wealth and savings

Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanya Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha. "Salutations to Kubera, lord of wealth and grain; grant me abundance." Chant 108 times on Dhanteras and Diwali, often with a wallet, account book or business ledger placed before the deities.

Kubera is honoured alongside Lakshmi, not instead of her: Lakshmi brings wealth, Kubera guards it. For families running a business in Jackson Heights, Edison or anywhere else, a short Chopda or ledger puja on Diwali evening is a long-standing tradition.

Saraswati mantras for students

Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah (ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः). The beej mantra of Saraswati; Aim rhymes with "time". Many families place children's books near the altar on Diwali and chant this 11 or 108 times.

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Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala, Ya Shubhra Vastravrita... The Saraswati Vandana, recited for clear thinking and learning.

Protection and health mantras

Maha Mrityunjaya: Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat. Chanted for the health and protection of the family, especially on Bhai Dooj for siblings far away.

Dhanvantari: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita Kalasha Hastaya Sarvamaya Vinashanaya Trailokya Nathaya Sri Mahavishnave Namah. The Dhanteras mantra for healing and well-being.

Hanuman: Om Ham Hanumate Namah, or "Om Sri Hanumate Namah, Sri Rama Dootaya Namah", for courage, often chanted on Choti Diwali morning.

Durga: Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute. A prayer for protection and auspiciousness.

Shanti: Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah. "May all be happy, may all be free from illness." A lovely way to close the puja.

Diwali evening puja sequence for a New York home

  1. Clean the altar area and make a small rangoli at the door (check building rules for hallways).
  2. After sunset, place Lakshmi and Ganesha on a clean cloth with a kalash, rice, kumkum, flowers, sweets and a lamp.
  3. Ganesha puja: offer flowers and chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" 21 or 108 times.
  4. Lakshmi puja: offer kumkum, flowers and sweets; chant the Mahalakshmi mantra and the Lakshmi Gayatri 108 times each, or the beej mantra if time is short.
  5. Kubera: chant the Kubera mantra with your wallet or ledger before the deities.
  6. Saraswati: chant "Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah" 21 times with children's books on the altar.
  7. Aarti: sing "Om Jai Lakshmi Mata" and close with the Shanti mantra.
  8. Prasad and lamps: share sweets with family and neighbours, and place diyas (or LED lights) in every room.

Teaching mantras to children in New York

  • Ages 3-7: "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" and "Om Namah Shivaya", five times each, with a story about Ganesha.
  • Ages 8-12: Ganesha, Lakshmi beej and Saraswati beej mantras, 11 times each; let them hold the mala and count.
  • Teenagers: the Gayatri mantra and Ganesha Gayatri, and an explanation of what each word means.
  • Play mantra recordings on car rides, and let children lead one part of the Diwali puja.

Puja supplies and community in New York

Indian grocery stores in Jackson Heights, Flushing, Edison and across the tri-state area stock diyas, puja kits, sweets and flowers in the weeks before Diwali. The Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam (the Ganesh Temple) in Flushing and other area temples hold Lakshmi pujas during Diwali week; public Diwali events around the city are announced each autumn. Check your local temple or association for 2026 programmes.

  • Puja kit: Lakshmi-Ganesha murti or picture, LED or clay diyas, incense, flowers, kumkum, turmeric, rice, a small bell, a kalash, a clean cloth, sweets and a mala.
  • Fire safety: keep flames on a metal tray, away from curtains and smoke detectors, and never unattended.
  • Family in India: India will be on Diwali the same Sunday, so a video call before your evening puja (their late night or early morning) works well.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Skipping the Ganesha invocation; always begin with Ganesha.
  • Rushing the count; 21 attentive repetitions are better than 108 hurried ones.
  • Chanting while scrolling a phone; set the phone aside.
  • Worrying about perfect pronunciation; learn gradually from a trusted temple recording and chant with sincerity.

Frequently asked questions

When is Diwali 2026 in New York?

Diwali / Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November 2026 in New York. Dhanteras is Friday 6 November, Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) Saturday 7 November, Govardhan Puja Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj Tuesday 10 November.

What time is Lakshmi Puja in New York in 2026?

Lakshmi Puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. On 8 November 2026 the sun sets in New York at about 4:44 PM (EST). Confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang; do not use an India muhurat converted to US time.

Which is the most important mantra for Diwali?

For most families it is the Mahalakshmi mantra, "Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalakshmyai Namah", chanted after the Ganesha invocation. If time is short, "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" 108 times is a complete practice.

How many times should Diwali mantras be chanted?

Traditionally 108 times on a mala. Eleven or twenty-one attentive repetitions are also meaningful; steady focus matters more than the count.

Can I use LED diyas for Lakshmi Puja in a New York apartment?

Yes. Many buildings restrict open flames, and an LED diya is a perfectly acceptable offering. If you light a ghee lamp, keep it on a metal plate away from curtains and never leave it unattended.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

Updated for 2026 with New York dates from Drik Panchang for the USA and local sunset times. We removed last year's muhurat times and outside links. Mantras are given for devotional use; benefits described are traditional beliefs. For exact puja timings, check Drik Panchang for your city or ask your temple priest.