The best time of the year is just around the corner and we’re all gearing up to celebrate Diwali. The festival of lights is one of India’s most celebrated festivals. Every year, millions of homes across the country come alive with diyas, candles, and rangolis as families gather to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali falls on the 15th day of the Kartik month, which marks the darkest night of the year. Despite the darkness outside, homes are filled with warmth, joy, gifts and glowing lights that symbolise hope and positivity.
Diwali 2025: Date and Shubh Muhurat
As per Drik Panchang, Diwali in 2025 will be celebrated on Monday, October 20. The day is considered extremely auspicious for Lakshmi Puja, when devotees pray for wealth, prosperity, and happiness.
– Pradosh Kaal: 5:58 pm to 8:25 pm
– Vrishabha Kaal: 7:08 pm to 9:03 pm
– Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 7:08 pm to 8:18 pm
– Amavasya Tithi Begins: 3:44 pm on October 20
– Amavasya Tithi Ends: 5:54 pm on October 21
During this period, families light diyas, perform puja rituals, and seek blessings from Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.
Diwali 2025 Full Calendar: Dhanteras, Choti Diwali to Bhai Dooj
Diwali is not just a one-day festival, it’s a five-day celebration, each day carrying its own meaning, and rituals. Here’s the complete calendar for Diwali 2025:
– October 18 – Dhanteras
– October 20 – Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi)
– October 20 – Diwali and Lakshmi Puja
– October 22 – Govardhan Puja
– October 23 – Bhai Dooj
Day 1: Dhanteras
The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber—the deities of wealth and prosperity. It is considered highly auspicious to buy gold, silver, or new household items on this day. Some people also buy brooms as that is also considered auspicious. People clean and decorate their houses, light diyas, and gear up for Diwali.
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali)
Choti Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, is celebrated to mark Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. People wake up early, take ritual baths, and light diyas to celebrate the victory of light and purity.
Day 3: Diwali and Lakshmi Puja
Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, Mata Sita, and Lakshman to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. When they came back, the people of Ayodhya lit up the whole city with thousands of lamps to welcome them home. That’s how the festival of lights began. Even today, families keep the tradition alive, lighting diyas, making colourful rangoli, bursting crackers, and performing Lakshmi and Ganesh puja in the evening.
Diwali is also a time to exchange gifts, enjoy sweets, and spend time with loved ones.
City-wise Lakshmi Puja timings
As per Drik Panchang, here’s a look at when major Indian cities will perform Lakshmi Puja this Diwali:
– Mumbai: 7:41 pm – 8:41 pm
– Pune: 7:38 pm – 8:37 pm
– Chennai: 7:20 pm – 8:14 pm
– Hyderabad: 7:21 pm – 8:19 pm
– Bengaluru: 7:31 pm – 8:25 pm
– Ahmedabad: 7:36 pm – 8:40 pm
– Jaipur: 7:17 pm – 8:25 pm
– Gurugram: 7:09 pm – 8:19 pm
– Noida: 7:07 pm – 8:18 pm
– Chandigarh: 7:06 pm – 8:19 pm
– Kolkata: 5:06 pm – 5:54 pm (October 21)
– Bhubaneshwar: 5:19 pm – 5:54 pm (October 21)
So, while most cities across India will celebrate Diwali on October 20, Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar will mark the festival a day later, on October 21, as per Drik Panchang.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja
The day after Diwali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja. It marks the time when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Mathura from heavy rains sent by Lord Indra. On this day, devotees prepare a variety of dishes, known as Annakoot, as an offering to God.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj
The last day of Diwali is celebrated as Bhai Dooj, a day that celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters, just like Raksha Bandhan. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and happiness, while brothers promise to protect them and give gifts as a token of love. It’s a warm, emotional celebration that brings families even closer.
