As the festival of Tihar (Yamapanchak) approaches, preparations are underway across Nepal for Laxmi Puja, with established auspicious timings (muhurats) and step-by-step rituals set for the 2026 celebrations in homes and business establishments.

Auspicious Timings (Muhurat) for 2026

Selecting the appropriate time to perform prayers remains central to the ritual:

  • Pradosh Kaal (Prime Time for Home Rituals): 5.31 PM – 8.09 PM

  • Vrishabha Kaal (Stable Venus Energy): 5.54 PM – 7.50 PM

  • Mahanishita Kaal (Night Sadhana): 11.57 PM – 12.48 AM

  • Abhijit Muhurat (For Offices/Businesses): 11.45 AM – 12.30 PM

Traditions in Nepal (Tihar)

In Nepal, Laxmi Puja is celebrated as an integral part of Tihar (Yamapanchak). Homes and commercial premises are cleaned and adorned with marigold garlands, colorful rangoli or mandala designs at entrances, and rows of oil lamps (diyas) and candles to welcome the goddess inside.

During the evening and night hours, families gather to present offerings of flowers, fruits, sel roti, sweets, and coins to Goddess Laxmi, while business owners bless their financial ledgers. Following the puja, groups of children and young people visit households to perform traditional Bhailo songs, spreading festive cheer across communities.

Simple Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi

The ceremonial observance follows a structured six-step sequence:

  1. Preparation: Clean the worship area and cover an altar table with a clean red or yellow cloth. Place images or idols of Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Saraswati.

  2. Kalash Sthapana: Fill a copper or brass kalash (vessel) with water, adding a single coin, a betel nut, a small quantity of rice, and turmeric. Arrange five mango or peepal leaves around the neck of the pot and set a coconut on top.

  3. Prayers to Lord Ganesha: Invoke Lord Ganesha first to remove all obstacles by chanting "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" 3 to 11 times while offering flowers and a sweet.

  4. Worshipping Goddess Laxmi: Light an oil lamp (diya) and incense. Recite the Laxmi mantra "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namaha" 11 times while offering flowers, turmeric-stained rice (akshat), and sweets.

  5. Blessing Assets: Place items representing daily livelihood—such as wallets, laptops, or textbooks—near the altar to receive divine blessings.

  6. Aarti: Conclude the ceremony by performing the Laxmi Aarti with camphor, passing the flame gently to gather blessings. Main entrance doors should remain open with diyas burning late into the night.