Diwali 2026: Auspicious timings to buy new account books on Dhanteras and worship them on Lakshmi Puja

Diwali is a major festival of joy in Indian culture. Dhanteras and Lakshmi Puja hold special meaning for traders and ordinary people alike. On these days, it is a long-standing sacred tradition to buy a new bahi or chopda (account book) for the new year's accounts and to worship it.

According to the Panchang, Dhanteras is considered the best day to buy the account book, while its worship, known as chopda pujan, is held on the day of Lakshmi Puja.

On Friday, 6 November, the Trayodashi tithi begins at 10:30. The auspicious time for daytime purchases that day will be from 10:30 am to 2:15 pm, as it carries the best choghadiya and Trayodashi energy. In the evening, the muhurat for purchase and worship during Pradosh Kaal is from 6:02 pm to 7:57 pm. This period falls in the Sthir Lagna, that is, the Vrishabha period, and is therefore considered highly auspicious for buying the book and bringing it home.

On Sunday, 8 November, the Amavasya tithi begins at 11:27 am. The main auspicious muhurat for chopda pujan is from 5:31 pm to 10:27 pm, which will have the Shubh, Amrit and Char choghadiya. The Pradosh Kaal muhurat for worship is from 6:14 pm to 8:13 pm.

In Hinduism and astrology, great importance is attached to starting any new work or buying important items at an auspicious time. The account book is not regarded as merely a paper book; it is a mirror of one's financial life, labour and fortune.

It is believed that on Dhanteras and Lakshmi Puja, waves of wealth, prosperity and abundance are highly active in the universe. According to astrology, a purchase made during Pradosh Kaal when the Vrishabha Lagna, or Sthir Lagna, is in effect brings lasting prosperity to the home. There is also a belief that bringing the book home at the muhurat keeps money coming in from business or a job and prevents wasteful spending.

Bringing a new book means settling old accounts and making a fresh start, with a clean slate and positive energy. It is believed that transactions entered in a book brought at an auspicious time see barkat, or growth. This is said to help clear business debt and keep the flow of money in order.

Diwali worship is not only of wealth but also of intellect and knowledge. Goddess Lakshmi gives wealth, Lord Ganesha gives the discernment (vivek) to spend it properly, and Goddess Saraswati, whose symbol is the account book or chopda, gives transparency and knowledge in dealings. By buying the book at the muhurat and worshipping it, the blessings of all three deities are received together.

When a task is done according to the scriptures, with attention to time and with reverence, it brings a great deal of positivity to the mind. A book brought at an auspicious time strengthens the resolve to run an honest and profitable business in the new year.

When buying the book, its cover should if possible be red, yellow or green. Buying a black book should be avoided.

On Lakshmi Puja, "Shri", a swastika and "Shubh-Labh" should be written with kumkum on the first page of the new book. Only after this should one begin writing the next year's accounts or new resolutions. Many people now keep accounts on computers or laptops. In that case, the laptop or accounting software can be worshipped, but in keeping with a forty-year tradition, one should still bring a new diary or book, however small, and worship it.

These matters relating to religion, astrology and Vastu are for readers' information only. It is necessary to consult an expert before trying any of them.