Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is one of India’s most loved festivals, a time filled with lights, joy, and togetherness. The festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Across the country, streets and homes glow with earthen lamps and candles, families dress in festive clothes, and sweets and gifts are exchanged with warmth.
According to tradition, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, following the defeat of the demon king Ravana. People of Ayodhya lit oil lamps to welcome them home, a custom that continues to this day. Over the years, Diwali has come to hold spiritual and cultural meaning not just for Hindus, but also for Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists.
When is Diwali in 2025?
Diwali is a five-day festival, with each day holding its own unique significance. In 2025, the festivities are as follows:
Day 1: Dhanteras (October 18, 2025, Saturday): The festival begins with Dhanteras, an auspicious day for buying gold, silver, and new utensils to welcome prosperity.
Day 2: Narak Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali (October 19, 2025, Sunday): This day commemorates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. It is a day for cleansing rituals and lighting the first lamps.
Day 3: Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (October 20, 2025, Monday): This is the main day of the festival. Families perform the Lakshmi Puja in the evening, light diyas throughout the home, and enjoy fireworks.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja (October 22, 2025, Wednesday): This day celebrates Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill. It is also celebrated as the New Year in Gujarat.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj (October 23, 2025, Thursday): The festival concludes by celebrating the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.
The main Diwali night, Lakshmi Puja, falls on October 20, 2025. Families will worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, light diyas, and decorate their homes to invite blessings of wealth, happiness, and prosperity.
Legends and Significance
The most well-known story behind Diwali is from the Ramayana, celebrating Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya. But there are many other legends too.
In South India, Diwali is linked to Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, which is remembered on Narak Chaturdashi. Some traditions also say Goddess Lakshmi was born on the new moon day of the Kartik month. In the Mahabharata, the return of the Pandavas after 12 years of exile is also marked with lights and celebration.
For Jains, Diwali is the day Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, attained Nirvana in 527 BCE. For Sikhs, it marks the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment in 1619. These stories together reflect the festival’s shared theme, light and hope overcoming darkness.
The Five Main Days of Celebration
Dhanteras – The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day believed to be lucky for buying gold, silver, utensils, or new household items. Homes are cleaned, decorated, and prepared to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber, and Lord Dhanvantari.
Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) – This day remembers Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. People take early morning oil baths with turmeric or herbal pastes and light diyas for Yama, the god of death, seeking protection and good health.
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) – The most important day. Families prepare rangoli, hang flower garlands, and set up idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for evening puja. Diyas are lit in every corner to bring in light and drive away negativity. Gifts and sweets are exchanged, and homes glow with warmth and festivity.
Govardhan Puja – Celebrated the day after Diwali, this marks Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from heavy rains. In many homes, large meals and offerings are made to thank nature for its blessings.
Bhai Dooj – The final day celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and happiness, and brothers give gifts in return.
How to Perform Lakshmi Puja at Home: A Simple Guide
On the evening of Diwali, families gather to worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles. Here is a simple way to perform the puja:
Cleanse the Space: Clean the puja area thoroughly and sprinkle it with Ganga Jal (holy water).
Set Up the Altar: Place a red cloth on a raised platform. Place idols or images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Fill a Kalash (pot) with water, a betel nut, a flower, and a coin, and place mango leaves on top.
Light the Diya: Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks.
Offerings (Prasad): Offer fresh flowers, fruits, and homemade sweets like kheer or ladoos to the deities. Place any gold, silver, or new account books you have in front of the idols to be blessed.
Recite the Aarti: Sing the Aarti for Lord Ganesha first, followed by the Aarti for Goddess Lakshmi, while ringing a small bell.
Distribute Prasad: After the puja, distribute the prasad among family members.
Light Up the Home: Following the puja, light earthen diyas and candles in every corner of the house to welcome light and drive away darkness.
More Than Just a Festival
Diwali is not only about rituals, it’s about unity, love, and new beginnings. The lights we see in every lane are also a reminder to brighten our hearts and lives.
This year, as diyas light up every home from October 17 to 23, let’s celebrate not just with crackers and sweets, but also with kindness, gratitude, and hope for the year ahead.
Happy Diwali 2025!