Diwali 2025: What Is Diwali?

What Is Diwali?

Diwali (also called Divali or Deepavali) is a festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name comes from Sanskrit Deepavali, meaning “row of lights.” 

The holidays follow a lunar calendar, not the modern Gregorian calendar, so Diwali does not always have the same timing every year. The main celebration of Diwali takes place on the day of the new Moon when the sky is at its darkest, so a big part of the celebration revolves around light. On the evening of Diwali, celebrants light dozens of candles and clay lamps (called diyas), placing them throughout their homes and in the streets to light up the night. 

When Is Diwali?

Diwali occurs annually in autumn during the Hindu month of Kartik. (In Western terms, Kartik begins around mid-October and ends in mid-November.) The primary day of Diwali occurs on the darkest day of the lunar month, the day of the new Moon.

Note: The Hindu calendar does not follow the day clock; it uses the Moon’s movement instead; sometimes, a day on the Hindi calendar spans two calendar days on the English calendar.

The dates below (from 2025 to 2028) align with Northern Deepavali, which is based on the Hindu lunar calendar.  For 2025, the government has designated the 20th as the calendar holiday for Diwali. All the festivities and fireworks will occur on the evening of the 20th and run into the 21st.

The Five Days of Diwali

In most of India, Diwali is a five-day event, with the “main day” of Diwali falling in the middle of the festival.

1. The first day of Diwali—Dhanteras—is considered an auspicious day for wealth and prosperity. People decorate their homes with small clay lamps (diyas), candles, and flowers. They also decorate the doorway with rangoli and stick stickers of tiny feet, inviting the Goddess Lakshmi (wealth) into their home.
2. The second day—Kali Chaudas—is dedicated to purging evil from the home. People worship the Goddess Kali, who destroys negative energy, disease, and ill effects.
3. The Third day—the primary day of Diwali—is devoted to the triumph of light over darkness. People celebrate the lighting of clay diyas, which symbolize the inner light. It is Goddess Lakshmi’s birthday and a day of worship, followed by a family feast, exchanges of sweets, and fireworks.  
4. The Fourth Day—Govardhan Puja— is a festival dedicated to Lord Krishna with specific offerings. It’s also a day when people express appreciation and respect towards Mother Nature.
5. The Fifth day—Bhai Dooj—is a festival that celebrates the bond between siblings, specifically between brother and sister.

Who Celebrates Diwali?

Followers of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths all celebrate Diwali. As India is such a large country of many cultures and religions, each country has its way of celebrating, with slightly different stories. However, all have the same theme of good over evil. All celebrate the festival of lights with the lighting of candles.

• For Hindus, Diwali marks the end of a 14-year war in which the exiled Prince Rama of Ayodhya returns victorious, with the people lighting lamps along the path of darkness to light his way.
• For the Sikhs, this holiday represents freedom, marking the release of imprisoned Guru Hargobind from the designs of Emperor Jahangir; the guru refused his release until all 52 princes imprisoned with him were freed.
• For the Jains, Diwali is different. This holiday marks the last of the great spiritual leaders (akin to saints), Lord Mahavira, who attained nirvana, also known as complete knowledge and enlightenment. 

Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and elsewhere around the globe also regularly celebrate Diwali. Diwali is now a national holiday celebrated throughout India, Singapore, and several other South Asian countries, meaning that people outside the three main religions may participate in Diwali celebrations, too. 

How to Celebrate Diwali

Because Diwali is celebrated by so many people worldwide, traditions are diverse, though there are a few common themes, including worship, fireworks and lights, and sharing of sweets. 

Candles, clay lamps, and oil lanterns are lit and placed throughout the home, in the streets, in areas of worship, and floated on lakes and rivers. Fireworks are also set off on the night of Diwali—said by some to ward off evil spirits.

Another central theme of Diwali is family. Wearing their best new clothes, families gather to eat sweets and other special foods, light diyas, and pray for their ancestors. Businesses are generally closed (or close early) on Diwali to allow workers to celebrate with their families.

The feast can be quite extravagant, with unique dishes and sweets filling the table. In honor of Diwali, here are a few Indian-inspired recipes to try:

1. East Indian Curry Dip
2. Raita Cucumber Yogurt Salad
3. Palak Panir Spinach and Tofu
4. Sweet Potato Lentil Coconut Curry
5. Coconut Ladoos

Do you celebrate Diwali? What traditions do you follow for the holiday? Let us know in the comments below—and Happy Diwali to those who celebrate!