When is Diwali 2025?

Diwali 2025, the most anticipated festival of lights, will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, 2025, with the main Lakshmi Puja ceremony. The festival spans five days, beginning with Dhanteras on October 18 and concluding with Bhai Dooj on October 23. There’s some confusion about the exact date due to the lunar calendar, but October 20 is when the Amavasya (new moon) occurs during the Pradosh Kaal, making it the most auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja.

The festival falls in the Hindu month of Kartik, specifically on Kartik Amavasya, which is considered the darkest night of the year. This timing symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, making it the perfect occasion to illuminate homes with diyas and welcome Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and abundance.

The Five Days of Diwali 2025

1
Dhanteras (Oct 18)

The festival begins with worship of Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Considered highly auspicious for purchasing gold, silver, utensils, and new items to invite prosperity into the home.

2
Kali Chaudas (Oct 19)

Also known as Choti Diwali, this day celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Devotees perform ritual oil baths and prepare for the main Diwali celebrations.

3
Main Diwali (Oct 20)

The most significant day featuring Lakshmi Puja. Families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, light countless diyas, create rangolis, and celebrate with sweets and fireworks.

4
Govardhan Puja (Oct 22)

Celebrates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect devotees. Families prepare Annakut (mountain of food) as offerings and express gratitude to nature.

5
Bhai Dooj (Oct 23)

The festival concludes with celebration of the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply tilak on brothers’ foreheads and pray for their longevity.

Spiritual Significance and Legends

The Return of Lord Rama

The most popular legend associated with Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed their beloved prince by lighting thousands of oil lamps (diyas), illuminating the entire kingdom. This tradition continues today, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness over evil and light over darkness.

Goddess Lakshmi’s Birthday

According to Hindu mythology, Diwali marks the birthday of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity, and fortune. It is believed that on this auspicious night, Goddess Lakshmi descends to Earth and visits homes that are pure, clean, and well-lit. Devotees perform special puja ceremonies to welcome her blessings for financial prosperity and abundance.

Regional Variations

North India: Focuses on Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya, with grand celebrations featuring elaborate light displays and fireworks.

South India: Celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura, with early morning oil baths and special sweets.

West India: Business communities celebrate it as the beginning of the new financial year, performing Chopda Puja for account books.

East India: In Bengal, Diwali coincides with Kali Puja, worshipping Goddess Kali for protection and strength.

Traditional Rituals and Celebrations

Home Preparation and Cleaning

Weeks before Diwali, families thoroughly clean, renovate, and decorate their homes. This ritual purification is believed to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and remove negative energies. Walls are painted, floors are polished, and every corner is cleaned to create a pure environment for the divine visit.

Rangoli Creation

Beautiful rangoli patterns are created at the entrance of homes using colored powders, flowers, and diyas. These intricate designs are not just decorative but serve as a warm welcome to Goddess Lakshmi. The patterns often include lotus flowers, peacocks, and geometric designs that hold spiritual significance.

Lakshmi Puja Ceremony

The main ritual involves worshipping Goddess Lakshmi along with Lord Ganesha. Families place idols or images on a decorated platform, offer flowers, sweets, fruits, and light diyas. The puja is performed during the Pradosh Kaal (evening twilight), considered the most auspicious time for invoking divine blessings.

Lighting Diyas and Candles

As darkness falls, homes are illuminated with countless diyas, candles, and decorative lights. This tradition symbolizes dispelling darkness and ignorance while welcoming light and knowledge. The warm glow of oil lamps creates a magical atmosphere of joy and celebration.

Exchange of Gifts and Sweets

Families exchange gifts, sweets, and greetings with relatives, friends, and neighbors. This tradition strengthens social bonds and spreads joy throughout the community. Traditional sweets like laddoos, barfis, and gujiyas are prepared and shared generously.

Fireworks and Celebrations

The night sky comes alive with spectacular fireworks displays. While traditionally celebrated with firecrackers, modern celebrations are increasingly focusing on eco-friendly alternatives like sky lanterns and LED light shows to reduce environmental impact.

Modern Diwali Celebrations

Contemporary Diwali celebrations have evolved to embrace both tradition and modern values:

Eco-Friendly Diwali

Green Celebrations: Increasing awareness about environmental impact has led to eco-friendly Diwali celebrations. People are opting for clay diyas instead of electric lights, natural rangoli colors, and avoiding firecrackers to reduce pollution and noise.

Digital Celebrations

Virtual Gatherings: With families often living apart, virtual Diwali celebrations have become popular. Video calls connect distant relatives, while social media platforms buzz with Diwali greetings, photos of decorations, and online gift exchanges.

Community Celebrations

Social Initiatives: Many communities organize collective celebrations, including charity drives, food distribution to the needy, and cultural programs. These initiatives spread the festival’s message of sharing and caring.

Commercial Significance

Diwali represents one of India’s biggest commercial seasons. Retailers offer special discounts, e-commerce platforms see massive sales, and the gold market experiences peak demand. The festival significantly boosts the economy across various sectors.

Astrological and Spiritual Importance

Diwali holds deep astrological significance as it occurs on Amavasya (new moon day) in Kartik month. This timing is considered highly auspicious for:

  • Spiritual Cleansing: The new moon energy is perfect for removing negative influences and starting fresh
  • Wealth Manifestation: Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi during this time is believed to attract abundance
  • Inner Enlightenment: The darkness of Amavasya represents ignorance, while lighting lamps symbolizes gaining wisdom
  • Planetary Alignments: The specific positioning of celestial bodies during Diwali enhances the power of prayers and rituals

The festival also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year for many communities, particularly in North India. This makes Diwali not just a celebration of light over darkness, but also a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and setting positive intentions for the year ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Diwali called the Festival of Lights?
Diwali is called the Festival of Lights because people light countless diyas (oil lamps), candles, and decorative lights to symbolize the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
What is the best time for Lakshmi Puja in 2025?
The most auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja in 2025 is from 6:59 PM to 8:32 PM on October 20, during the Pradosh Kaal when Amavasya Tithi prevails.
How can I celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali?
Use clay diyas instead of electric lights, make natural rangoli colors, avoid firecrackers, use recycled decorations, and donate to environmental causes instead of spending on harmful fireworks.
What should I buy on Dhanteras?
Dhanteras is considered auspicious for purchasing gold, silver, brass utensils, new clothes, electronics, or any valuable items that symbolize prosperity and wealth.
Can non-Hindus celebrate Diwali?
Yes, Diwali’s universal message of light over darkness transcends religious boundaries. People of all faiths participate in the celebrations, focusing on the festival’s message of hope, joy, and community spirit.
What are the traditional Diwali sweets?
Traditional Diwali sweets include laddoos (various types), barfis, gujiyas, kheer, halwa, jalebi, and regional specialties like Mysore pak, kaju katli, and rasgulla.
How do different Indian states celebrate Diwali?
Each region has unique traditions: North India focuses on Rama’s return, South India celebrates Krishna’s victory, West India observes it as New Year, and East India coincides with Kali Puja.