The party outfit is for Saturday night. The puja outfit is for Sunday evening, when the whole family sits down in one room, the diyas are lit and the thali is passed around. They are different jobs, and the kurta that is right for one is rarely right for the other.
Diwali is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Here is how we would dress for the puja itself, depending on where you sit in the room.
If you are the host
The host usually sits at the front of the puja, close to the thali and the idol, and the family photograph is built around him. He should look settled and a little more dressed than the guests. A kurta with fine work in a calm colour is right. The Ice Blue Vine-Embroidery, ₹3,999, with a churidar, is soft and dressed at once. If you prefer plain, the Navy Blue Solid, ₹1,950, never looks wrong beside a diya.
If you are a guest or a younger member of the family
You will sit on the floor for a long time and be handed things to carry. Choose a kurta that moves with you and a colour that does not fight the rest of the room. The Blush Pink Solid, ₹1,850, and the Royal Blue Solid, ₹1,850, are the two we suggest first for younger buyers. A print is fine if it is small and calm. The Mint Paisley Print, ₹1,900, is a good example.
If you are the elder of the house
Elders often prefer a simple look, and a kurta with a small amount of tonal work does that well. The Bottle Green Chikankari-Style, ₹3,499, suits many fathers well. A Pathani is another good option, such as the Pale Yellow Pathani at ₹2,200, for a man who finds a regular kurta too fitted for long sitting.
Colours that work, and colours to think about
Soft and warm colours suit a puja room: pastels, cream, yellow, marigold, light green and blues. Deeper navy and royal blue suit the evening. Many families avoid black at a puja, so it is simplest to choose another colour. Very bright neon colours and large graphics pull the eye away from the thali.
Sitting on the floor for an hour
Before the day, put the full set on and sit cross-legged on the floor. Check that the pajama is not tight at the knee and that the kurta does not pull at the shoulder or ride up. Every product page lists the real chest, length, shoulder and sleeve of the garment, so you can compare it with a kurta you already sit in comfortably. Keep the pajama white or off-white and plain.
Shoes, and what to leave off
Shoes come off at the door of the puja room, so there is no need to match them to the kurta. Leave the watch and any loud jewellery off for the puja. A plain kada or a thin chain is enough. For other accessories through the festival week, see how to accessorise a kurta.
Before and after the puja
Most families change after the puja for the dinner and the visits. Two kurtas make that easy: a soft one for the puja and a deeper one for the evening. For the whole week, read what to wear on each of the five days of Diwali. See also our puja kurta collection.
Online sizes run 38 to 44. Both our shops also carry plus sizes up to 6XL and kurtas for boys and babies, coming online soon, so the whole family can sit down in matching colours. Message us on WhatsApp with the sizes.
Questions we hear at the counter
What colour kurta should I wear for the Diwali puja?
A soft colour in the morning, such as blush pink, cream or powder blue, and a deeper one in the evening, such as navy or royal blue.
Should I wear something new for the puja?
Many families do, and it is a lovely habit. If you cannot, wear something clean and well pressed.
Can I wear jeans after the puja?
Yes, once the puja is over and you are going out. Keep the pajama for the puja and for time with the elders.
Is an embroidered kurta right for a puja?
Yes, if the work is fine and the colour is calm, as with vine embroidery or chikankari-style work. Avoid heavy shine.
Also see: Diwali at Home.