Diwali 2026 lands on Sunday, 8 November. As dusk settles over Bangalore, families sweep the threshold, light the first diya, and lay out the altar for Goddess Lakshmi. Flowers sit at the heart of it.
But which blooms actually belong on the Lakshmi altar? Tradition is specific. The lotus, the marigold, the red rose each earn their place for a reason, and one colour is left out on purpose. Here is a simple, puja-ready guide.
When is Lakshmi Puja in 2026?
Lakshmi Puja falls on Diwali night: Sunday, 8 November 2026. In New Delhi the puja muhurat runs from 5:32 PM to 7:28 PM. Bangalore shifts the window by a few minutes, so check a local Panchang before you light the lamp.
Order your flowers to arrive that morning. Petals picked the same day hold their colour through the evening aarti. In a hurry on the day itself? You can send Diwali flowers in Bangalore with same-day delivery, or pick a ready festive set like Diwali, Done Right.
The lotus: Goddess Lakshmi's favourite flower
Look at any image of Lakshmi. She stands on a lotus, holds one in each hand, and pours gold from her palm. The flower is her seat and her signature.
A single pink lotus on the altar carries more meaning than a dozen mixed stems. If fresh lotus is hard to find, float a few blooms in a shallow brass bowl and set a diya beside them.
Marigold: the flower that lines the doorway
Marigold, genda to most of us, is Diwali's workhorse. Yellow, orange, deep red. It strings into torans, borders the rangoli, and frames the front door in bright ropes.
The colour reads as gold and sunlight, exactly the welcome Lakshmi is said to favour. Our Marigold Mood arrangement brings that doorway glow indoors.
Red roses, hibiscus and jasmine for the altar
Red is the puja's heart colour. Red roses are named among Lakshmi's favourites. Red hibiscus, tied to married women, and fragrant red jasmine round out the offering.
Keep it simple. A few red roses, a sprig of jasmine for scent, and the altar comes alive. For what each shade says, read what flower colours really mean. For a warm, lamp-lit mix, see Light of Love.
Which flowers to avoid on the Lakshmi altar
Skip white flowers. In this tradition white reads as the colour of mourning, so it stays off the Lakshmi altar on Diwali night.
Avoid wilted or fallen blooms too. A flower that has dropped to the floor is not offered. Choose stems that stand firm and smell fresh.
Setting up your Lakshmi Puja flowers at home
Start at the entrance. Hang a marigold toran across the door, draw the rangoli, and press fresh petals into its lines.
On the altar, place the lotus or red roses in a clean brass or copper vessel. Scatter a handful of petals around the Lakshmi idol and the kalash. To make the whole evening easy, our Art of Hosting set pairs blooms with the table. Want it all chosen for you? Browse the Diwali flower collection.
Keeping your puja flowers fresh through the evening
Trim the stems at an angle, change the water, and keep the vase out of direct sun until the aarti. Altar petals stay crisp in a shallow bowl of water. For the full method, read how to keep your flowers fresh.
Where to order Diwali flowers in Bangalore
Hanabee delivers hand-tied, farm-fresh blooms across Bangalore, with same-day slots in the run-up to Diwali. From a single lotus to a full festive hamper, you can order Diwali flowers online and have them arrive ready for the altar.
New to festive flower-giving? Our complete Diwali flowers and gifting guide walks through every occasion of the season.
Frequently asked questions
Which flower is Goddess Lakshmi's favourite?
The lotus. Goddess Lakshmi is depicted seated on a lotus and holding one, so it is considered her favourite flower for puja.
Can I offer marigold flowers to Lakshmi on Diwali?
Yes. Marigold, in yellow, orange and red, is widely used for Lakshmi Puja garlands, torans and altar decoration on Diwali.
Which flowers should not be offered to Goddess Lakshmi?
White flowers are traditionally avoided, as white is linked with mourning. Wilted or fallen flowers are also not offered.
What time is Lakshmi Puja in 2026?
Diwali 2026 is on 8 November. The Lakshmi Puja muhurat in New Delhi is 5:32 PM to 7:28 PM; timings vary slightly by city, so check a local Panchang for Bangalore.
Can I get fresh flowers delivered for Diwali in Bangalore?
Yes. Hanabee offers same-day flower delivery across Bangalore, including lotus, marigold and rose arrangements for Diwali and Lakshmi Puja.