# Best Mantras for Diwali: A Simple Guide to the Five Days

> A simple guide to Diwali mantras for each of the five days, with 2026 dates and links to lyrics, meanings and recordings.

- **Published:** 2026-10-04
- **Author:** Mahakatha
- **Category:** festivals
- **Canonical URL:** https://mahakatha.com/blog/best-mantra-for-diwali/

Diwali is the festival of lights. On the main night, most families pray to Lakshmi and Ganesha. This guide suggests simple mantras for each of the five days. Each link opens the full lyrics, meaning and a recording.

## Quick answer: which mantra for Diwali?

For Lakshmi Puja, begin with a short Ganesha prayer. Then chant one Lakshmi mantra you can say clearly and with attention. [Lakshmi Gayatri](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-gayatri-mantra/) is a short choice. The [Mahalakshmi Ashtakam](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/mahalakshmi-stotram/) is a longer hymn. If your family has its own puja prayers, use those first.

## Diwali 2026 dates (India)

1. Dhanteras: Friday, November 6
1. Naraka Chaturdashi: Sunday, November 8, early morning. Many places mark Choti Diwali or Kali Chaudas on the evening of Saturday, November 7.
1. Lakshmi Puja (Diwali): Sunday, November 8, evening
1. Govardhan Puja: Tuesday, November 10
1. Bhai Dooj: Wednesday, November 11
In 2026 there is a gap day on Monday, November 9, because the new-moon (Amavasya) tithi carries over into that day. Some lists show Govardhan Puja on November 9 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. The panchangs below place them on November 10 and 11. Timings change by city, so check your local panchang for exact puja times.

- [November 2026 festival calendar, New Delhi (Drik Panchang)](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/hindu/hinducalendar.html?date=01/11/2026)
- [Diwali 2026 and Lakshmi Puja time (Drik Panchang)](https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-festivals/diwali/diwali.html?year=2026)
- [The five days of Diwali 2026 (Prokerala)](https://www.prokerala.com/festivals/govardhan-puja.html)
- [Mahakatha festival calendar](https://mahakatha.com/hindu-festival-calendar/)

## Day 1: Dhanteras

Dhanteras honours Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods. Many families also welcome Lakshmi and Kubera on this day.

- [Dhanvantari Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/dhanavantri/dhanavantri-mantra/): a prayer to Dhanvantari
- [Kubera Diwali Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/kubera/kubera-diwali-mantra/): a prayer to Kubera
- [Lakshmi Dhanaprapti Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-dhanaprapti/): a short prayer to Lakshmi

## Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)

This day remembers Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. Many families take an early bath and light a few lamps in the evening.

- [Shri Krishna Ashtakam](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/krishna/krishna-ashtakam/): eight verses in praise of Krishna
- [More Krishna mantras](https://mahakatha.com/deities/krishna/)

## Day 3: Lakshmi Puja (Diwali night)

Start with Ganesha, then Lakshmi. One or two chants are enough; you do not need the whole list.

1. [Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/om-shree-ganeshaya/): a short Ganesha salutation to begin
1. [Om Gan Ganapataye Namah](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/om-gan-ganpataye/): the Ganesha seed mantra
1. [Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-gayatri-mantra/): a short Lakshmi chant
1. [Mahalakshmi Ashtakam](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/mahalakshmi-stotram/): eight verses to Mahalakshmi
1. [Ashtalakshmi Stotram](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/ashtalakshmi-stotram/): a longer hymn to the eight forms of Lakshmi
1. [Lakshmi Beeja Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-beeja-mantra/): a one-line seed mantra
Diwali also remembers Rama's return to Ayodhya. If your family honours Rama tonight, try the [Shri Rama Rameti Rameti Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/rama/shri-rama-rameti-rameti/). For more choices, see [all Lakshmi mantras](https://mahakatha.com/deities/lakshmi/) and [all Ganesha mantras](https://mahakatha.com/deities/ganesha/).

## Day 4: Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja remembers Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter the people of Vrindavan from heavy rain. Many homes prepare Annakut, a large offering of food.

- [Hare Krishna Hare Rama](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/krishna/hare-krishna-hare-rama/): a simple chant of Krishna and Rama's names
- [More Krishna mantras](https://mahakatha.com/deities/krishna/)

## Day 5: Bhai Dooj

Sisters pray for their brothers' well-being and apply a tilak on their foreheads. There is no single set mantra for this day. Follow your family's custom.

## A simple way to chant on Diwali night

Light a lamp and sit quietly for a few minutes. Read the meaning first. Play the recording once, then chant along slowly, alone or with family. Keep the order and the number of repetitions your family follows. For formal Lakshmi Puja, check the puja time for your city.

## About Diwali

Diwali, or Deepavali, means "row of lights". Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists celebrate it. For many Hindus it marks Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and it is the main night of Lakshmi and Ganesha worship. Its central idea is light over darkness and good over evil.

## Questions

### Which is the best mantra for Diwali?

There is no single best mantra. For Lakshmi Puja, many people begin with a Ganesha prayer and then chant a Lakshmi mantra such as Lakshmi Gayatri or the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. Choose one you can say clearly and with attention.

### How many times should I chant?

Families differ. Some chant 11, 21 or 108 times with a mala. Others recite a hymn once. Follow your tradition; a few repetitions said with care are enough.

### Can I listen instead of chanting?

Yes. Listening with attention is a common way to take part, especially while you are learning the words.

### Is Karagre Vasate a Diwali mantra?

[Karagre Vasate](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/karagre-vasate/) is a morning prayer said on waking. You can include it in your Diwali morning, but it does not replace your family's Lakshmi Puja.

### Do these mantras promise wealth?

No. They are prayers of devotion and thanks. Mahakatha does not promise any result from chanting.

Use the linked mantra pages as your reading and listening library. Each page has the full lyrics, meaning and a recording. You may also like our [Navratri mantras guide](https://mahakatha.com/blog/navratri-mantras/).

## Related mantras

- [Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/om-shree-ganeshaya/)
- [Om Gan Ganpataye Namo Namaha](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/om-gan-ganpataye/)
- [Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-gayatri-mantra/)
- [Mahalakshmi Stotram](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/mahalakshmi-stotram/)
- [Ashtalakshmi Stotram](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/ashtalakshmi-stotram/)
- [Lakshmi Beeja Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-beeja-mantra/)
- [Lakshmi Dhanaprapti Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-dhanaprapti/)
- [Kubera Diwali Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/kubera/kubera-diwali-mantra/)
- [Dhanavantri Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/dhanavantri/dhanavantri-mantra/)
- [Shri Rama Rameti Rameti Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/rama/shri-rama-rameti-rameti/)
- [Shri Krishna Ashtakam](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/krishna/krishna-ashtakam/)
- [Hare Krishna Hare Rama Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/krishna/hare-krishna-hare-rama/)

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Source: https://mahakatha.com/blog/best-mantra-for-diwali/ — Mahakatha, https://mahakatha.com