Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8. Whether you are hosting family for Lakshmi Puja, decorating a San Francisco apartment for the first time, or sending sweets to friends, this guide walks you through a simple, beautiful Diwali setup — and everything you can pick up at Indian Market & Liquor, 1546 Guerrero St (Noe Valley / Bernal Heights), or order online for pickup or same-day delivery.
Your Diwali preparation timeline
- 2 weeks before: Deep-clean the home (a Diwali tradition to welcome Goddess Lakshmi), plan your menu and guest list.
- 1 week before: Stock up on diyas, ghee or oil, cotton wicks, incense, camphor and puja items. Order sweets and dry fruits for gift boxes.
- Dhanteras (2 days before): Traditionally a day to buy something new for the home.
- Diwali morning: Draw your rangoli at the entrance, set up the puja space and arrange diyas.
- Diwali evening: Lakshmi Puja, light every diya, share sweets with family and neighbours.
1. Rangoli: colour at your doorstep
A rangoli at the entrance welcomes guests and good fortune. You don't need to be an artist — a simple circle, lotus or diya shape looks stunning.
Rangoli colour powders: ask our team at the counter — festival stock changes daily during Diwali week.
Natural, kitchen-cupboard rangoli (great for apartments, balconies and homes with kids or pets):
- White outline: Rice Flour — the traditional base for kolam and rangoli outlines.
- Bright yellow: Turmeric Powder (Haldi).
- Deep red-orange: Gopuram Sandoor.
- Pink and red accents: Hans Rose Petals scattered in the design.
- Texture: shredded coconut, lentils or rice grains to fill shapes.
Tip: Sketch your design with chalk first, outline with rice flour, then fill in colours from the centre outward. Place a Char Mukhi Diya in the middle once it's dark.
2. Diyas and lights
Diwali is the festival of lights, and nothing beats the warm glow of real diyas. Diyas, garlands and puja items are available in store at 1546 Guerrero St.
- Char Mukhi Diya – 4.5 inch — four-wick diya, perfect as a centrepiece for the puja or rangoli.
- Tulsi Diya – 4 count — line your windowsills, doorway and staircase.
- Fuel: Pure Ghee for the puja diya, and sesame oil or mustard oil for the rest.
For help choosing diyas and puja items, see our Diwali 2026 shopping guide for San Francisco.
Safety tip for SF apartments: keep diyas on a metal tray or plate, away from curtains, and never leave them unattended.
3. Setting up your Lakshmi Puja
Pick these up in store (ask our team if you can't find something):
- Satin Garland Pooja Mala — reusable garlands for the altar and doorway.
- Puja Coconut for the kalash.
- Himalaya Smokeless Camphor or Fine Camphor for aarti.
- Hem Sandalwood Incense or Meditation Incense Sticks.
- Sandoor and haldi for tilak.
- Rice, sweets and dry fruits as prasad (see below).
Want the complete item-by-item list, including what each item is for? See our Lakshmi Puja samagri checklist for Diwali 2026.
4. Sweets and mithai for prasad and guests
- Haldiram's Kaju Katli — the classic Diwali gift.
- Haldiram's Gulab Jamun 2.2 lb and Santos Rasgulla 1 kg — party-size tins.
- Kesar Rasmalai, Milk Cake, Besan Ladoo and Soan Papdi.
- Haldiram's Gujia and Jalebi for the dessert table.
5. Dry fruit gift plates
A tray of dry fruits is a thoughtful gift for neighbours and coworkers. Mix Whole Cashews, Almonds, Pistachios, Walnuts, Golden Raisins and Phool Makhana, and finish with a small box of Chandan 6-in-1 Mukhwas as an after-dinner treat.
6. Easy decorating ideas with what you buy
- Floating diya bowl: a wide glass bowl of water, rose petals and two or three diyas — beautiful on a dining table.
- Doorway toran: hang satin garlands across the door frame with a rangoli below.
- Window lights: a row of Tulsi diyas on every windowsill, visible from the street.
- Sweet table: arrange mithai on a brass or steel plate with marigold-coloured napkins and a single diya in the centre.
- Mukhwas bar: set out small bowls of different mukhwas and paan candies for guests after dinner.
Shop everything in one place
Browse our full Diwali 2026 Shop — Sweets, Puja Items, Dry Fruits & Gifts. Order online for store pickup or same-day delivery across San Francisco, or visit us at 1546 Guerrero St, between Noe Valley and Bernal Heights.
From all of us at Indian Market & Liquor: Happy Diwali! May your home be filled with light, sweetness and prosperity.
