When is Diwali in 2025? Date, 5-Day Schedule, and Significance
Diwali, the spectacular Hindu “festival of lights,” is one of the most important and joyously celebrated festivals in India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide. It is a time for lighting diyas, exchanging gifts, sharing sweets, and celebrating the symbolic victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
As October begins, the most common question is about the exact date of the festival. This guide will provide you with the complete schedule for the five days of Diwali in 2025, explaining the significance and traditions of each day.
Diwali 2025: The Complete 5-Day Schedule
The festival of Diwali is not a single-day event but a five-day celebration. Here are the dates for 2025:
A Day-by-Day Guide to the Festival of Lights
Day 1: Dhanteras (October 29, 2025)
Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Diwali festivities. On this day, homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is considered extremely auspicious to buy new things, especially gold, silver, or new kitchen utensils. In the evening, a puja is performed to worship Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdasi or Choti Diwali (October 30, 2025)
Choti Diwali, or “small Diwali,” is celebrated on the second day. This day commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, who had imprisoned 16,000 princesses. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The tradition is to wake up before sunrise, apply aromatic oils, and take a holy bath. In the evening, a few diyas are lit in preparation for the main festival.
Day 3: Lakshmi Puja – The Main Day of Diwali (October 31, 2025)
This is the most important day of the festival. On the dark new moon night (Amavasya), families gather to perform the Lakshmi Puja. They worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Homes are illuminated with rows of diyas, candles, and electric lights. Beautiful rangoli patterns are drawn at the entrance to welcome the goddess. After the puja, families share sweets and burst firecrackers.
- Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (Auspicious Time) for 2025: 06:15 PM to 08:15 PM
Day 4: Govardhan Puja (November 1, 2025)
This day is celebrated to honor the incident when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from the torrential rain sent by a wrathful Lord Indra. Devotees prepare a mountain of food, called ‘Annakut,’ which is offered to the deities in temples as a sign of gratitude.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj (November 2, 2025)
The final day of the festival celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters apply a ’tilak’ (a ceremonial mark) on their brother’s forehead, perform an aarti, and pray for his long life and well-being. In return, brothers give gifts to their sisters as a token of their love and promise of protection. It is a beautiful celebration of sibling love that concludes the Diwali festivities.