Diwali 2025 Festival Calendar: Confirmed Dates for Dhanteras, Diwali, Govardhan & Bhai Dooj
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the biggest and most significant Hindu celebrations, recognized for its grandeur, joy, and spiritual importance across India and worldwide. In 2025, as families begin preparing for rituals and festivities, one key question dominates—on which date will Diwali fall this year, October 20 or 21? Here is a comprehensive guide to the Diwali 2025 calendar, including confirmed dates according to the Hindu panchang, the shubh muhurat for Lakshmi Puja, and all major Deepawali festivals like Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.
Diwali 2025: Which Day is Diwali?
According to multiple sources and the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali (the main day of Deepawali) will be celebrated on October 20, 2025, marking the Amavasya or the new moon night of Kartik month. The confusion over October 20 or 21 arises from time zone differences and local panchang computations, but for most of India, the evening of October 20 is the widely accepted date for Lakshmi Puja and the principal Deepawali festivities.
Full Diwali 2025 Festival Calendar: All Five Days
Here’s a quick table for preparedness and easy reference:
| Date | Festival Name | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| October 18 | Dhanteras | Worship of Goddess Lakshmi & Lord Kuber, new purchases |
| October 20 | Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) | Ritual baths, lamp lighting, elimination of negativity |
| October 20 | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Triumph of light, prosperity, traditional Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja |
| October 22 | Govardhan Puja | Honoring Lord Krishna’s Govardhan miracle |
| October 23 | Bhai Dooj | Celebrating the sibling bond, sister’s prayers for brother |
Diwali 2025 Shubh Muhurat and Panchang Details
- Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (October 20): 07:08 PM to 08:18 PM (local time, Pradosh Kaal)
- Amavasya Tithi Begins: 03:44 PM on October 20
- Amavasya Tithi Ends: 05:54 PM on October 21
Most families will perform Lakshmi Puja after sunset during Pradosh Kaal, ensuring adherence to auspicious timings for health, wealth, and spiritual blessings.
Rituals and Significance Across All Days
Dhanteras (October 18, 2025)
Dhanteras marks the commencement of Deepawali. On this day, devotees seek blessings from Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber, purchasing new household goods, ornaments, utensils, or even gold/silver to symbolize abundance. It’s not just a day for shopping, but for invoking prosperity and renewing accounts, especially for traders.
Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali (October 20, 2025)
Choti Diwali is all about cleansing and preparation. Traditionally, families wake up early, bathe with scented oils, and decorate homes with rangoli and lamps—establishing a positive space leading up to grand Diwali celebrations. Mythologically, the day celebrates Lord Krishna destroying the demon Narakasura.
Diwali & Lakshmi Ganesh Puja (October 20, 2025)
Diwali night is the most anticipated event: earthen diyas and modern lights brighten homes and streets, signifying the spiritual victory of light over darkness. Lakshmi and Ganesh are worshiped, with families seeking happiness, financial well-being, and spiritual contentment. The legend of Lord Rama’s homecoming to Ayodhya after exile and conquering evil remains central to the festival.
Govardhan Puja (October 22, 2025)
The day post-Diwali honors Lord Krishna’s miraculous act of lifting Mount Govardhan, protecting Mathura’s people from rain and storm sent by Indra. In North India, devotees create food mounds symbolizing the mountain, and communities unite for Annakut (grand feasts).
Bhai Dooj (October 23, 2025)
Bhai Dooj (also called Bhau Beej or Bhaiya Dooj) brings the celebrations to a close, focusing on sibling bonds. Sisters pray for their brothers’ happiness, performing tilak, aarti, and sharing sweets, while brothers make heartfelt promises of lifelong care.
Why There’s Confusion on Diwali’s Date in 2025
Some calendars and media sources list Diwali as October 21, especially for communities outside India like those in the US. Time zone differences and celestial events can shift muhurat calculations. However, the key pan-Indian recommendation for Lakshmi Puja is the evening of October 20. Always consult a local priest or panchang for exact regional timing.
FAQs for Diwali 2025 Calendar
- When is Diwali 2025 in India?
Main Deepawali celebration: October 20, 2025 - Is Choti Diwali and Diwali on the same day in 2025?
Yes, both Choti Diwali and the principal Diwali festival fall on October 20. - Can I celebrate Lakshmi Puja on October 21?
Traditional muhurat and the most auspicious period is the evening of October 20 for most regions. - What are the other major Deepawali festivals?
Dhanteras, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj are significant, each with unique customs.
How to Celebrate Diwali 2025 for Prosperity and Joy
- Start with a clean home and invigorate spaces with diyas, candles, and rangoli.
- Shop new items on Dhanteras for fortune, especially utensils and jewelry.
- Engage in early morning baths on Choti Diwali for purification.
- Honor Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha during Diwali with prepared prasad, flowers, and prayers.
- Join Govardhan Puja feasts and contribute to community meals.
- Strengthen family ties with personalized rituals and gifts on Bhai Dooj.
Diwali 2025—A Festival for All
Diwali 2025’s five-day calendar encapsulates India’s vibrant culture, family bonding, and everlasting devotion. Accurate dates and panchang information help every household plan rituals for optimal blessings. Whether October 20 or 21, the joy, spirituality, and tradition remain. Bookmark this guide and make your Deepawali bright, prosperous, and unforgettable.