Diwali 2025 is primarily celebrated on the Amavasya (new moon) night of the Kartik month. The main day of Diwali in 2025 is Tuesday, October 21, 2025, according to most sources, marking the auspicious night for Lakshmi Puja, the central ritual of the festival. However, some regions, including parts of Karnataka, consider October 20, 2025, as the key day for the main decorations and celebration starting from the night of Kartik Amavasya (new moon).
Also read- Festival in October 2025: Complete List of Hindu Festivals
Diwali 2025 Date and Festival Overview
- Main Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- Amavasya Tithi (New Moon) marking Diwali starts on October 20 in the early hours and lasts until October 21 in the evening (varying slightly by region).
- The festival spans five days, celebrated by Hindus across India and worldwide, marking spiritual, mythological, and seasonal significance.
The Five Days of Diwali 2025
- Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi) – Saturday, October 18, 2025
- Narak Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali / Kali Chaudas – Monday, October 20, 2025
- Lakshmi Puja / Main Diwali Night – Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- The main festival day where Goddess Lakshmi (wealth and prosperity), Lord Ganesha (remover of obstacles), and Lord Kubera (treasurer of wealth) are worshipped
- Lighting of diyas (oil lamps) and candles to drive away darkness and invite divine blessings
- Families gather for elaborate puja ceremonies and celebrations.
- Govardhan Puja / Annakut – Wednesday, October 22, 2025
- Bhai Dooj / Yama Dwitiya – Thursday, October 23, 2025
Also read – Lakshmi Puja 2025: Diwali Night Worship Muhurat & Vidhi
Diwali 2025 Puja Muhurat (Auspicious Timings)
The puja muhurat is critical to maximize the spiritual benefits and positive energy of the rituals. The Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Diwali 2025 varies slightly by location but generally falls on the evening of October 21:
- Lakshmi Puja Muhurat in most locations: Approximately 6:59 PM to 8:32 PM IST (India Standard Time)
- In Delhi: Specifically from 5:46 PM to 5:56 PM IST with extended favorable periods during Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Kaal.
Families are encouraged to perform the puja during these auspicious windows for blessings of wealth, health, and prosperity.
Rituals and Preparations for Diwali 2025
Preparations Before the Festival
- Thorough cleaning and decoration of homes and workplaces, symbolizing the removal of negativity and welcoming of positive energies
- Shopping for new clothes, gifts, sweets, and items required for worship like flowers, incense sticks, and puja thalis
- Setting up a clean and beautiful altar dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kubera.
Key Rituals During Diwali
- Lighting Diyas and Lamps: Lighting oil lamps and candles around homes and public places to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
- Lakshmi Puja: Central to Diwali celebrations, this ritual involves invoking Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings for wealth and well-being. Offerings include sweets, fruits, grains, and coins.
- Lord Ganesha Puja: Performed alongside Lakshmi Puja to remove obstacles and ensure success.
- Ritual Bath (Snan): On Narak Chaturdashi, devotees perform an oil bath early in the morning to purify themselves.
Cultural and Social Customs
- Exchanging gifts and sweets among family, friends, and neighbors as tokens of goodwill and affection
- Fireworks and sparklers, celebrated with safety and joy, enhance festive spirit
- Recitation of traditional prayers, chants, and devotional songs to invoke divine energies.
Spiritual and Symbolic Significance
Diwali is a festival layered with rich symbolism and spiritual meaning beyond the lights and festivities:
- Victory of Good over Evil: Celebrating Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana as narrated in the Ramayana
- Worship of Wealth and Prosperity: Honoring Goddess Lakshmi to attract abundance for the coming year
- Harvest and New Beginnings: Marking the end of the harvest season in many regions, it symbolizes gratitude and renewal
- Community and Family Bonding: Strengthening ties through collective celebrations, prayers, and festivities.
Preparatory Rituals Before Diwali
The preparations for Diwali begin days in advance. Houses and workplaces are thoroughly cleaned and renovated to rid the environment of negative energies and welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. Homes are decorated with colorful rangoli designs at entrances and aesthetically arranged with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and vibrant lights to create an inviting and auspicious atmosphere.
Shopping for new clothes, precious metals (like gold or silver), utensils, and decorative items is an essential part of the Dhanteras day rituals. Buying these items is believed to bring good fortune and lasting prosperity throughout the year.
Detailed Daily Customs of Diwali 2025
- Dhanteras (October 18, 2025)
The festival kicks off with Dhanteras, dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Devotees worship for good health and wealth, buy new items, and decorate their homes. Lighting diyas on this day is believed to ward off evil spirits. - Narak Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali (October 20, 2025)
This day commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Ritual holy oil baths (Abhyang Snan) before sunrise purify the body and soul. Homes are illuminated with lamps and fireworks start to fill the evening sky with joy. In some regions, special rituals like “Roop Chaudas” are observed, where women enhance their beauty by bathing before sunrise. - Lakshmi Puja / Main Diwali Night (October 21, 2025)
The festival reaches its spiritual peak with Lakshmi Puja. Families gather to perform rituals honoring Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kubera, seeking wealth, prosperity, and well-being. The lighting of hundreds of diyas symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and dispels negativity. After the prayers, people share sweets and gifts with loved ones, strengthening social bonds. - Govardhan Puja / Annakut (October 22, 2025)
Celebrated predominantly in North India, this joyous day honors Lord Krishna’s protection of his devotees by lifting Govardhan Hill. Devotees offer an “Annakut,” a mountain of food to divine beings, symbolizing gratitude for nature’s bounty. - Bhai Dooj / Yama Dwitiya (October 23, 2025)
This day celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters put a protective “tilak” on their brothers’ foreheads, pray for their long life, while brothers give gifts in return, fortifying familial love and protection.
Symbolism and Spiritual Practices
- Lighting Lamps and Fireworks: Not only decorative, the lighting of lamps purifies the atmosphere and symbolizes knowledge, hope, and enlightenment. Fireworks add to the festive spirit, marking joy and the eradication of evil.
- Lakshmi Puja Offerings: Devotees prepare elaborate offerings including sweets, fruits, rice grains, coconuts, and flowers. Traditional mantras and aarti (prayer with light) accompany the puja, inviting divine blessings.
- Oil Bath Rituals: The ritual bath during Narak Chaturdashi is both a physical and spiritual cleansing, removing impurities and negative energy to welcome a fresh start.
- Exchanging Gifts and Sweets: This is a universal custom that fosters goodwill and strengthens community bonds. Different regions have unique sweets associated with Diwali, reflecting the diversity in Indian culture.
Regional Variations and Cultural Richness
- In Maharashtra, special rituals such as pounding dried coriander seeds with jaggery for Goddess Lakshmi offerings are practiced.
- In Karnataka and parts of South India, the lighting of lamps and fireworks centers around the Naraka Chaturdashi day, with significant festivities continuing for three days.
- In some parts of North India, the festival includes extended celebrations like Dev Diwali (Kartik Poornima), involving lighting thousands of lamps at river ghats, symbolizing divine presence.
Additional Festive Activities
- Families and communities organize cultural programs, fairs, and devotional singing (bhajans) during the festival days.
- Many people visit temples to seek blessings and participate in communal prayers.
- There is a tradition of giving to the needy during Diwali, representing the spirit of generosity and compassion.
Also read – Govardhan Puja 2025: Annakut Rituals & Puja Muhurat
