About Diwali
Diwali, or Deepavali, meaning "a row of lamps", is celebrated on Kartika Amavasya, the new moon of Kartika, and is the heart of a five-day festival that runs from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj. On the darkest night of the month, homes, streets and temples glow with diyas, a gentle reminder that light, knowledge and goodness overcome darkness.
According to the Ramayana, the people of Ayodhya lit lamps to welcome Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana home after fourteen years of exile and the defeat of Ravana. Many also honour Goddess Lakshmi, who emerged from the churning of the ocean, and invite her into clean, well-lit homes with Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja in the evening. In Bengal and Assam, the night is devoted to Kali Puja. For Jains, it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas. Families draw rangoli, wear new clothes, exchange sweets, open new account books in many business communities and visit friends and relatives in a spirit of warmth and renewal.
How it is observed
- Cleaning the home and decorating it with rangoli, flowers and diyas
- Performing Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja in the evening at an auspicious muhurat
- Lighting lamps at the doorway, windows, courtyard and places of worship
- Exchanging sweets and greetings with family, friends and neighbours
- Celebrating mindfully, with care for elders, children, animals and air quality
Diwali dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Thursday, 31 October 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Monday, 20 October 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Next |
| 2027 | Friday, 29 October 2027 | Upcoming |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 17 October 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Monday, 5 November 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Saturday, 26 October 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated across India
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh
Deepavali
The South celebrates Deepavali mainly on Naraka Chaturdashi, with an oil bath before dawn and the victory of Krishna over Narakasura.
Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
West Bengal, Assam, Tripura
Kali Puja
Instead of Lakshmi puja, the night of Amavasya is devoted to Goddess Kali, worshipped at midnight in pandals and temples.
Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Odisha
Kaunriya Kathi, Bada Badua Daka
Families burn jute sticks and call upon their ancestors to come, see the light and return to heaven.
Gujarat
Diwali and Bestu Varas
Merchants worship their new account books (Chopda Pujan) on Diwali, and the Gujarati New Year, Bestu Varas, is celebrated the day after.
Date: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Punjab
Bandi Chhor Divas
Sikhs remember Guru Hargobind's release from Gwalior fort, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar is lit with lamps and fireworks.
Jain communities
Deepavali, Mahavira Nirvana
Jains mark the nirvana of Lord Mahavira with prayers and lamps, and the Jain new year begins the next day.
Celebrated as Kali Puja in Bengal and Assam, Bandi Chhor Divas by Sikhs and Mahavira Nirvana by Jains; in parts of South India, Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day of celebration.
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