Diwali 2025: Date, Significance & How It’s Celebrated
Diwali 2025: Date, Significance & How It’s Celebrated
Festival of Lights: Families light diyas, design rangoli, exchange sweets, and offer prayers for prosperity and renewal. Below: the official date(s), the five festival days, and beginner-friendly FAQs.
Diwali 2025 Date (at a glance)
Note: Some listings show Tue, Oct 21 as “Diwali,” reflecting how the Amavasya tithi spans into Tuesday and how state holidays differ.
Why the variation? Diwali’s main worship is tied to the Kartika Amavasya (new-moon) window. In 2025, the new-moon period begins the afternoon of Oct 20 and ends late on Oct 21, so Lakshmi Puja is on Monday for much of India; many South Indian communities celebrate their main Deepavali on Sunday morning (Naraka Chaturdashi).
The Five Days of Diwali (2025)
- Dhanteras (Sat, Oct 18) — Auspicious purchases; lamps for Yama Deepam.
- Naraka Chaturdashi / Chhoti Diwali (Sun, Oct 19) — Traditional oil bath and dawn celebrations; main Deepavali day in parts of South India.
- Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Mon, Oct 20) — Evening worship for prosperity; illumination with diyas, rangoli, sweets, fireworks.
- Govardhan Puja / Annakut (Tue, Oct 21) — Offerings of food; some regions observe Vishwakarma Puja.
- Bhai Dooj (Thu, Oct 23) — Siblings celebrate their bond with blessings and gifts.
Regional calendars and muhurat may shift by location—always follow your local temple/panchang.
What Diwali celebrates
Diwali symbolizes light over darkness and good over evil. Themes vary by region: the return of Rama to Ayodhya, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for prosperity and wisdom, the slaying of Narakasura, and the start of the new year in several communities.
How families celebrate
- Diyas & lights: rows of earthen lamps and string lights around doors/windows.
- Rangoli: powdered designs welcoming guests and auspiciousness.
- Puja: Lakshmi–Ganesha worship; business owners may perform Chopda Pujan.
- Food & sweets: laddoo, barfi, chakli, karanji/gujiya—varies by region.
- Gifts & new clothes: exchanging hampers, visiting relatives, charity.
- Fireworks: practiced in many places; check local rules and opt for eco-friendlier choices.
Diwali 2025 FAQs
Is Diwali one day or five?
It’s a five-day festival, with Lakshmi Puja evening typically treated as the “main day” in many regions.
Why do some calendars list Oct 21?
Because the Amavasya tithi spans into Oct 21 in 2025 and government holidays vary by state. Some almanacs list the holiday as Tuesday even though the Lakshmi Puja evening is Monday for much of India.
When is the best time (muhurat) for Lakshmi Puja?
Local panchang publishes the evening muhurat based on the Amavasya window where you live; consult your temple or a reputable panchang site.
Follow your local temple or panchang for muhurat in your time zone.