Diwali is the new-moon night of Kartik and the biggest festival of the north: the night Rama came home to Ayodhya after fourteen years, and the night Lakshmi visits clean and lighted houses. It sits in the middle of five days, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj. Houses are whitewashed, rows of clay diyas line every ledge, and traders open the new year's account books.
The story
When Rama returned with Sita and Lakshman after the defeat of Ravana, there was no moon, and the people of Ayodhya lit lamps along the whole road to show him the way. The north has been lighting them since.
It is also the night Lakshmi rose from the churning of the ocean and chose Vishnu. She is worshipped with Ganesha at dusk, and doors are left open so that she may enter. Jains keep the same night as the nirvana of Mahavira, and Sikhs as Bandi Chhor Divas.
शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धनसंपदा । शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते ॥
Bringer of good, of well-being, of health and wealth, destroyer of hostile thoughts: light of the lamp, I bow to you
Said while lighting the evening lamp
The five days
- DhanterasTwo days before: metal is bought, a new utensil, silver or gold, and a lamp is lit for Yama at the door.
- Chhoti DiwaliThe eve, Narak Chaturdashi, with a first few lamps.
- Lakshmi PujaAt dusk on the new moon, Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped with kheel, batashe and sweets; then the lamps are lit and the fireworks begin.
- Govardhan Puja and AnnakutThe next day a hill of food is offered to Krishna.
- Bhai DoojOn the fifth day sisters put a tilak on their brothers.
Why this date
Diwali is the Amavasya of Kartik in the northern calendar (Ashwin by the southern count). Lakshmi is worshipped after sunset, so the day chosen is the one on which Amavasya covers the pradosh, the hours just after sunset.
Diwali in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday | |
| 2026 | Sunday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday |
More North Indian festivals
29 OctoberKarwa Chauthकरवा चौथ
15 NovemberChhath Pujaछठ पूजा
20 OctoberDussehraदशहरा
24 NovemberKartik Purnimaकार्तिक पूर्णिमा
19 OctoberMaha Navamiमहा नवमी
15 January 2027Makar Sankrantiमकर संक्रांति
Where to see Diwali
In North India
- AyodhyaUttar PradeshDeepotsav: lamps by the million along the ghats of the Sarayu, for the homecoming.
- VaranasiUttar PradeshThe ghats are lit on Diwali and again, far more grandly, a fortnight later.
- JaipurRajasthanThe markets of the Pink City are illuminated street by street in competition.
- GovardhanUttar PradeshThe day after Diwali is the hill's own festival, with Annakut in every temple of Braj.
Across India
- Golden Temple, AmritsarPunjabBandi Chhor Divas: the shrine and its pool ringed with lamps and fireworks.
- KolkataWest BengalThe same new-moon night is Kali Puja, kept until dawn.
- PanajiGoaEffigies of Narakasura are burned at dawn.