Diwali 2026 Puja Items & Diyas in San Francisco, CA

Hand-painted Laxmi Ganesh diya thali with a ring of white wax diyas around a bright rangoli-style center

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, and in a lot of San Francisco homes the countdown has already started. Someone is cleaning out the mandir shelf. Someone is texting the family group about who is bringing the sweets. And someone is making the list: diyas, wicks, kumkum, a coconut, maybe a new thali this year.

If you are looking for Diwali puja items in San Francisco, Indian Market & Liquor at 1546 Guerrero Street in the Mission District stocks the traditional pieces most families reach for, from plain clay diyas to havan samagri, Lakshmi and Ganesh murtis, rangoli colors and festive garlands. This guide walks through what we carry, how the pieces fit together, and how to put together a Deepavali setup that feels complete without overbuying.

Traditional and Decorative Diyas for Diwali

Lighting diyas is the heart of Diwali, and the right mix depends on where each lamp is going. Most homes end up with three kinds: simple clay diyas for rows along the entrance and windows, a brass diya for the puja itself, and a few decorative pieces for the table or altar.

Plain clay diyas (mitti deepak)

Single unglazed terracotta clay diya seen from above, showing its shallow bowl and pinched spout — The classic mitti diya: fill with oil or ghee, add a cotton wick, and light.

Unglazed terracotta diyas are the traditional choice for oil or ghee lamps. You can buy a small plain clay diya one at a time, or save prep work with the Hans Diya Baati Plain 12-piece tray, which comes with cotton wicks included. Many families soak new clay diyas in water for a little while before the first use so they absorb less oil.

Hans Diya Baati Plain tray of twelve terracotta diyas with a bundle of white cotton wicks in one corner — Hans Diya Baati Plain: twelve clay diyas and cotton wicks in one tray.

Colored clay diyas

For entryways and window ledges, color makes a difference once the sun goes down. The Hans Diya Baati Colour tray pairs painted clay diyas with gold-edged rims and its own cotton wicks. We also carry Hans red, yellow, white and colorful matki (pot-shaped) wax diyas in packs of six, plus Tulsi diyas for the tulsi plant.

Hans Diya Baati Colour tray with twelve orange, green, pink and yellow clay diyas with gold-painted rims — Orange, green, pink and yellow diyas for a colorful doorway display.

Wax diyas and hand-painted designs

Wax diyas are ready to light and need no oil, which makes them easy for apartment balconies, dining tables and homes with busy kids. Options include hand-painted lotus clay wax diyas (pack of 2), hand-painted peacock clay wax diyas (pack of 4) and a six-piece decorative wax diya gift box that also works well as a small Diwali gift.

Two hand-painted wax diyas with red wax centers and glittering gold and red borders in clear packaging — Hand-painted wax diyas add color without the need for oil or wicks.

Brass diyas and the wicks to match

For the puja itself, many families prefer a brass diya that they reuse every year. Our golden brass jyoti diyas come in several sizes and styles, and the large char mukhi (four-sided) diya is a common choice for Diwali night. Pair them with Himalaya long diya vaat (60 pcs), Himalaya extra long pooja vat, or Bhakti long twisted cotton wicks.

Explore traditional diyas, wicks and puja essentials

Lakshmi Ganesh Puja Essentials: A Practical Checklist

Lakshmi Ganesh puja on Diwali evening looks a little different in every household. Regional customs, family habits and the guidance of a priest or elder all shape what goes on the altar. The list below covers the items people ask us about most often, so you can match it to your own tradition. If you want a complete step-by-step list that also explains what each item is for, see our Lakshmi Puja samagri checklist for Diwali 2026.

Stainless steel pooja thali etched with Om and Shubh Labh, holding a diya, kalash, incense holder, chandan and agarbatti — A complete steel pooja thali set keeps the essentials together on one plate.

Puja thali: The steel pooja thali set includes a thali, diya, small kalash, incense holder, chandan and agarbatti. For a decorative centerpiece, the Laxmi Ganesh diya thali features both deities surrounded by wax diyas.
Murtis: Laxmi Mata murti, Shri Ganesh murti and decorative Ganesh idols, plus Durga Mata (small and large) and Hanuman Mahabali murtis for home mandirs.
Kalash: a pure copper kalash or pure brass kalash, often filled with water and topped with a coconut.
Tilak and offerings: red sindoor (kumkum), chandan powder, rose petals and saffron.
Coconut and Gangajal: a puja coconut (nariyal) and Himalaya Gangajal, 500 ml.
Sacred thread and malas: cotton mauli (kalawa / rakshasutra), a Tulsi wooden mala and a Rudraksh mala (8 mm).
Aarti: Himalaya smokeless camphor or fine camphor (kapur).

Polished copper kalash lota with a flared rim and rounded body, used to hold water during pooja — A copper kalash is a long-lasting addition to the home mandir.

Whole dehusked dry coconut with a fibrous brown shell, used as a nariyal offering during puja — A whole coconut is a familiar part of many Diwali puja setups.

Spool of red, yellow and green cotton mauli kalawa thread with a yellow paper label — Cotton mauli thread, also called kalawa or rakshasutra.

Not sure what your family's puja calls for? Ask a parent, grandparent or your temple priest before you shop. It saves a second trip and keeps your setup true to your own tradition.

Browse puja and religious items

Havan Samagri, Dhoop and Incense

Fragrance is part of what makes a home feel ready for Diwali. If your family performs a havan, we carry several havan samagri options in different pack sizes: Hans Havan Samagri (200 g), Hari Darshan Havan Samagri (400 g) and Zed Black Havan Samagri (200 g). Hans Guggal (100 g), a traditional aromatic resin, is also on the shelf.

Hari Darshan Havan Samagri box with illustrated artwork of a havan fire ceremony and deities in the clouds — Hari Darshan Havan Samagri, one of several havan blends we stock.

For everyday aarti and evening lighting, choose from agarbatti, dhoop and camphor, along with holders that keep ash off the floor and furniture. The stainless steel incense stick stand holds several sticks at once, and the pure brass flower-shaped agarbatti holder adds a little shine to the altar.

Polished stainless steel incense stick stand with a domed top full of holes and a wide round base — A steel incense stand holds several agarbatti upright at once.

Burn camphor, incense and havan materials in a well-ventilated room, keep flames away from curtains and decorations, and always follow the instructions on the package.

Rangoli, Garlands and Festive Decorations

A few small touches can change how your entrance looks on Diwali night. Here are some easy ideas that work well in San Francisco apartments and flats:

Xpressions Rangoli Colour Kit in a clear case with six powder colors, a color pen, filler and stencils — The Rangoli Colour Kit includes six 100 g colors, stencils, a color pen and a booklet.

Doorstep rangoli: The Rangoli Colour Kit (600 g) includes red, green, blue, pink, white and yellow powders, plus stencils and a booklet, so even first-timers can finish a neat design. Small spaces can use a compact design on a tray or board.
Lit border: Set wax or clay diyas around the edge of the rangoli once it is finished.
Doorway and altar garlands: Himalaya multicolor satin pooja garlands are reusable and look bright year after year.
A festive centerpiece: A decorative Ganesh idol with a few lotus or peacock diyas around it makes an easy focal point for the living room.
Mehndi night: Neha Herbal Rachni Mehndi (500 g) and Dulhan henna jumbo cones are ready for family get-togethers before the festival.

Planning the whole week? Our guide on how to prepare and decorate for Diwali 2026 has a day-by-day prep timeline, kitchen-cupboard rangoli ideas and tips for the sweets table.

Discover the full Diwali 2026 shop

Your Diwali Shopping Checklist

Use this as a quick reference on your phone while you shop:

Lights: clay diyas, wax diyas, a brass diya for the puja, cotton wicks, oil or ghee
Puja setup: thali, Lakshmi and Ganesh murtis, kalash, coconut, Gangajal
Offerings and tilak: kumkum, chandan, rose petals, saffron, mauli thread
Aarti and fragrance: camphor, agarbatti or dhoop, incense holder, havan samagri if needed
Decor: rangoli colors, satin garlands, decorative diyas or a festive idol
For guests: Indian sweets and dry fruits for gifting and the after-puja spread

Himalaya Pooja Mala Rudraksh 8 mm beads with a yellow silk tassel in a clear resealable bag — A Rudraksh pooja mala with 8 mm beads, used by many for japa and prayer.

Find Diwali Supplies Locally in San Francisco

Indian Market & Liquor is a neighborhood Indian grocery on Guerrero Street, a short trip from Noe Valley, Bernal Heights and the Castro. Shopping in person lets you compare diya sizes, check the finish on a brass kalash, and pick up groceries for the Diwali meal at the same time.

Indian Market & Liquor
1546 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Open every day, 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Phone: (415) 990-0355

Prefer to order ahead? You can shop online at sfindianmarket.com for same-day delivery across San Francisco and to some nearby cities. Delivery is free on orders of $50 or more. Curbside pickup is also available during store hours: choose a pickup time when you order, park in the quick-parking zone out front, and call or text when you arrive. Available delivery and pickup times are shown at checkout, so ordering a few days before November 8 gives you the most options.

Diwali Shopping FAQs

When is Diwali in 2026?

The main Diwali celebration, including Lakshmi puja, falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Some families follow local panchang timings, so check with your temple for the exact muhurat.

Where can I buy Diwali diyas in San Francisco?

Indian Market & Liquor at 1546 Guerrero St carries plain clay diyas, colored diya baati trays, wax diyas and brass diyas. You can also order them online for delivery or curbside pickup.

What are the essential items for Lakshmi Ganesh puja?

Most families use Lakshmi and Ganesh murtis, a puja thali, a diya with wicks, a kalash, a coconut, kumkum, chandan, flowers or rose petals, incense and camphor. Traditions vary, so adjust the list to match your own.

What is the difference between plain clay diyas and decorative wax diyas?

Plain clay diyas are filled with oil or ghee and a cotton wick, and are the traditional choice for puja. Wax diyas come pre-filled and ready to light, which makes them convenient for decorating tables, balconies and entryways.

Can I shop for Diwali puja supplies online?

Yes. Our puja and religious items and Diwali shop collections are available online, with same-day delivery in San Francisco and curbside pickup at the store.

Where can I find rangoli colors and Diwali decorations in San Francisco?

We stock a 600 g rangoli color kit, satin pooja garlands, decorative diyas and Ganesh idols at our Mission District store and online.

Shop for Diwali 2026

The best Diwali preparations are the ones you finish early enough to enjoy the evening itself. Whether you need a single tray of diyas or a complete Lakshmi Ganesh puja setup, you can find it at our store on Guerrero Street or online.

Shop Diwali puja essentials or visit us at 1546 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110. From all of us at Indian Market & Liquor, Happy Diwali.