Diwali 2025 spans five auspicious days from Saturday, October 18 through Thursday, October 23. Here’s a detailed look at the key dates, their mythological importance, and rituals to observe each festival.

Key Dates and Timings

• Dhanteras: Saturday, October 18, 2025

  • Puja muhurat: 7:16 PM–8:20 PM​

  • Pradosh kāl: 5:48 PM–8:20 PM​

• Chhoti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi): Sunday, October 19, 2025​

• Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Monday, October 20, 2025

  • Lakshmi puja muhurat: 7:08 PM–8:18 PM​

  • Amavasya tithi: October 20, 3:44 PM–October 21, 5:54 PM​

• Govardhan Puja: Wednesday, October 22, 2025​

• Bhai Dooj: Thursday, October 23, 2025​

Dhanteras: Welcoming Wealth and Health

Significance
Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi, marks the first day of Diwali festivities. It falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month. According to legend, this is the day when:​

• Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the cosmic ocean during Samudra Manthan, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.​

• Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, appeared carrying the elixir of immortality, making the day auspicious for health and longevity.​

Rituals and Celebrations

1. Clean and Decorate: Thoroughly clean homes and businesses; create rangoli patterns and light diyas at entryways.​

2. Shopping: Purchase new gold, silver, utensils, or cleaning tools—the first purchase is believed to invite wealth.​

3. Puja Vidhi:​

   • Install idols or pictures of Ganesha, Lakshmi, Kubera, and Dhanvantari.

   • Light a cluster of 13 diyas to honor Trayodashi.

   • Offer flowers, akshata (unbroken rice), roli (vermilion), sweets, and fruits.

   • Recite Lakshmi-Kubera mantras and perform aarti.

   • Keep one diya burning overnight as a beacon for prosperity.

Chhoti Diwali: Triumph Over Darkness

Significance
Known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Kali Chaudas, Chhoti Diwali precedes the main Diwali and celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, who symbolized ignorance and oppression.​

Rituals and Celebrations

1. Oil Bath (Abhyanga Snana): Before sunrise, take a ritualistic bath with sesame oil to cleanse body and spirit.​

2. Puja Vidhi:​

   • Offer prayers and sweets to Krishna and Hanuman.

   • Light 14 diyas in memory of Krishna’s 14,000 rescued captive princesses.

   • Apply kohl (kajal) as a protective talisman.

3. Home Décor: Clean rooms and illuminate with lamps and rangoli reflecting the victory of light over darkness.

Diwali: Festival of Lights and Prosperity

Significance
Diwali, or Deepavali, is the most celebrated Hindu festival, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Key legends include:​

• Return of Lord Rama: Citizens of Ayodhya lit oil lamps to welcome Rama back after 14 years of exile.​

• Krishna’s Victory: In southern India, Diwali commemorates Krishna’s slaying of Narakasura.

• Goddess Lakshmi: It is believed Lakshmi chose Lord Vishnu as her consort on this night, making it ideal for invoking prosperity.​

Rituals and Celebrations

1. Lakshmi–Ganesha Puja:​

   • Cleanse and adorn an altar with idols or images of Lakshmi and Ganesha.

   • Place offerings of sweets, fruits, and dry fruits on a red or yellow cloth.

   • Light multiple diyas, incense, and camphor lamps; chant the mantra “ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः” to invite abundance.

   • Perform aarti and distribute prasad among family and guests.

2. Home Illumination: Decorate interiors and exteriors with fairy lights, lanterns, and rangoli designs celebrating light.​

3. Fireworks: Burst crackers responsibly or choose eco-friendly alternatives to minimize pollution.

4. Gifts and Feasts: Exchange sweets and presents with loved ones, and prepare elaborate festive meals.

5. Charity (Daan): Honour the spirit of giving by donating food, clothes, or money to those in need.​

Five-Day Diwali Calendar

Diwali 2025 promises a blend of ancient traditions and contemporary celebrations. Observing each day’s unique rituals—from Dhanteras’s wealth invocations to Diwali’s grand illumination—offers an opportunity to renew spiritual, familial, and social bonds while embracing prosperity and light.