The glow of a thousand diyas, the laughter echoing through every home, the sweetness of warm laddoos shared with the loved ones, Diwali is more than just a festival. It’s actually a feeling. A celebration that touches every heart, unites each of the families, and fills the world with love, light, hope, and happiness.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of India’s most celebrated festivals, a symbol of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Every year, millions of people across the globe come together to celebrate this beautiful festival with devotion, love, and joy.
Let’s take a journey through the meaning, traditions, and magic of Diwali, the festival that lights up not just homes, but hearts too.
What is Diwali 2025 and Why is it Celebrated?
The word Diwali actually comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means “a row of lights.” True to its name, the festival transforms cities and villages into shining seas of light, diyas on balconies, lanterns swaying in the wind, and every corner glowing with positivity and good vibes.
At its core, Diwali celebrates the eternal victory of light over darkness, both outside and within us. It reminds us to remove negativity, anger, and ego from our hearts, and welcome peace, love, and kindness.
Different regions of India connect Diwali to different stories-yet they all share the same message of hope, renewal, and triumph.
Diwali Date & Time 2025
In 2025, Diwali (Deepavali) will be celebrated on Monday, October 20.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (Auspicious Timing)
1. Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
2. Time: 7:08 PM to 8:18 PM IST
3. Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
4. Pradosh Kaal: 5:46 PM to 8:18 PM IST
5. Vrishabha Kaal: 7:08 PM to 9:03 PM IST
6. Amavasya Tithi: Begins at 3:44 PM on October 20 and ends at 5:54 PM on October 21
The History Behind Diwali
Every Indian household has grown up listening to magical stories about Diwali (Deepavali), and each one carries deep meaning.
The Return of Lord Rama
The most well-known story comes from the Ramayana. After 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Mata Sita and Lakshmana. The people lit rows of clay lamps (diyas) to welcome him, symbolizing joy and victory. This is why Diwali is also called the Festival of Lights.
The Birth of Goddess Lakshmi
Another story tells how Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, emerged from the ocean of milk during the great churning (Samudra Manthan). Devotees worship her during Diwali to invite blessings, abundance, and fortune into their homes.
The Defeat of Narakasura by Lord Krishna
In South India, Diwali is linked to Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. This victory is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, marking the triumph of divine power over evil forces.
Each story reminds us that Diwali isn’t just a festival of light - it’s a celebration of hope, faith, and new beginnings.
The 5 Glorious Days of Diwali 2025
Diwali is not just a one-day celebration; it’s a joyful five-day festival filled with rituals, devotion, and love.
Day 1, Dhanteras This day marks the beginning of the festivities. People buy gold, silver, and utensils, as it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Homes are cleaned and decorated with flowers and rangolis to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
Day 2, Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) On this day, people light small lamps, take holy baths early in the morning, and pray for the removal of negativity and evil from their lives.
Day 3, Main Diwali Day The most awaited day! Families perform Lakshmi Puja in the evening, lighting diyas and candles in every corner of their homes. Beautiful rangolis decorate doorsteps, sweets and gifts are exchanged, and fireworks light up the night sky. It’s the day when the entire world glows in happiness.
Day 4, Govardhan Puja This day is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who lifted the Govardhan Mountain to protect his devotees. People prepare and offer a variety of food items to express gratitude to nature and the divine.
Day 5, Bhai Dooj The final day celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and happiness, and brothers promise to always protect them.
Diwali 2025: The Auspicious Date and Timings
For any spiritual endeavor, timing is everything. The alignment of the stars and planets creates specific windows of time, known as 'muhurat', which are considered supremely auspicious for performing rituals. In 2025, the most critical muhurt is for the Lakshmi Puja.
1. October 18, 2025 (Saturday): The Dawn of Prosperity - Dhanteras & Lakshmi-Kuber Puja - The Tithi of Dhanteras & Lakshmi-Kuber Puja - 01:30 P.M. - 04:31 P.M.
2. October 19, 2025 (Sunday): The Power of Protection - Kali Chaudas & Hanuman Puja - The Tithi of Kali Chaudas & Hanuman Puja - 09:19 A.M. - 12:12 A.M.
3. October 20, 2025 (Monday): The Main Festival - Diwali & Ganesh-Lakshmi Puja - The Tithi of Diwali & Ganesh-Lakshmi Puja - 04:30 P.M. - 05:56 P.M.
4. October 21, 2025 (Tuesday): A Fresh Start - Diwali Snan & Dev Puja
5. October 22, 2025 (Wednesday): Nourishment & New Year - Govardhan Puja & Gujarati New Year - The Tithi of Govardhan Puja & Gujarati New Year - 06:28 A.M. - 09:20 A.M.
6. October 23, 2025 (Thursday): The Bond of Siblings - Bhaiya Dooj & Chitragupta Puja - The Tithi of Bhaiya Dooj & Chitragupta Puja - 12:11 P.M. - 03:02 P.M.
Diwali Rituals & Traditions 2025
Even though Diwali traditions may be a little different in each region, the main purpose of the Puja is the same, to welcome the gods with love and devotion. Start by cleaning a sacred space, usually a small platform covered with a red cloth. Place idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. You can also include idols of Saraswati and Kuber. The Puja follows simple steps: first, make a Sankalp (say your intention), then invite the deities (Avahana), give them a seat (Asana), and offer water for their feet (Padya). Next, do the main worship with flowers, incense, diyas, and sweets. The Puja ends with Aarti, a devotional song sung while moving a lighted lamp in front of the gods, filling the place with divine energy and blessings.
How India Celebrates Diwali?
From the majestic ghats of Varanasi to the streets of Chennai and Mumbai’s skyline, Diwali is celebrated differently across India, yet its spirit is the same everywhere.
1. In North India, homes shine with diyas, sweets like laddoos and barfis are shared, and temples glow with divine energy.
2. In South India, families celebrate Naraka Chaturdashi, light lamps, and worship Lord Krishna.
3. In Maharashtra, people prepare Faral, special festive snacks and sweets.
4. In West Bengal, Diwali coincides with Kali Puja, where Goddess Kali is worshipped.
No matter where you go, the sound of laughter, the sparkle of lights, and the warmth of love fill the air.
Diwali Remedies for Prosperity
Diwali traditions are deeply meaningful and full of positivity. Every custom, from cleaning the house to lighting diyas, carries spiritual importance.
1. Cleaning and Decorating the Home - It’s believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits clean and pure homes. So, people tidy every corner, decorate with flowers, and adorn their entrances with colorful rangolis.
2. Lighting Diyas - The soft glow of clay lamps not only removes darkness but also invites divine blessings. Each diya represents hope, knowledge, and faith.
3. Lakshmi Puja - On the main Diwali evening, families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, seeking blessings for prosperity, peace, and happiness.
4. Sharing Sweets & Gifts - No festival is complete without sweets! Exchanging gifts and sweets symbolizes spreading happiness and strengthening relationships.
5. Wearing New Clothes - Wearing new attire on Diwali marks a fresh start, letting go of the old and embracing new beginnings.
Diwali Around the World
Diwali’s glow is not limited to India - it lights up hearts across the globe. Countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, and the UK celebrate Diwali with grandeur. Temples and Indian communities abroad organize pujas, fireworks, and cultural events, keeping the traditions alive wherever they go.
Even famous landmarks like the London Eye and Sydney Opera House glow in Diwali lights, proving that the festival truly unites the world in celebration.
Diwali Spiritual Significance
Diwali, the festival of lights, is not just about decorations, sweets, and fireworks but it carries a deep spiritual meaning. The lights of Diwali symbolize the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and goodness over evil. Spiritually, it reminds us to remove negativity from our minds and hearts and fill our lives with positivity, devotion, and inner peace.
It actually teaches us to:
1. Diwali celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, symbolizing the eternal triumph of truth and righteousness.
2. Lighting lamps represents the light of wisdom that dispels darkness from our lives.
3. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha during Diwali is a way to invite divine blessings.
4. It is believed that a clean, positive home attracts spiritual energy, wealth, and happiness.
5. Cleaning and decorating homes symbolizes purifying the mind and soul.
6. Diwali encourages introspection, helping us let go of negative emotions like anger, jealousy, and greed.
7. Sharing sweets, gifts, and warm wishes reflects love, harmony, and compassion.
8. Spiritually, Diwali teaches us the importance of unity, gratitude, and selfless giving.
9. Diwali reminds us that true wealth is not only money, but also knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual growth.
10. Lighting lamps is symbolic of enlightenment, guiding us toward a life of purpose, virtue, and joy.
Every diya you light represent the light within your soul, your inner strength, compassion, and love for others. So this Diwali, let your inner light shine brighter than any firecracker.
Astrologically Importance of Diwali
Diwali is not only a festival of lights but also a highly auspicious time according to Vashist Astrology. The alignment of planets, lunar phases, and specific timings during Diwali are believed to bring prosperity, success, and spiritual growth. Astrologically, Diwali is celebrated on Amavasya (new moon) in the month of Kartik, which is considered a powerful time for divine blessings and new beginnings.
The Amavasya night is ideal for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and performing rituals for wealth and prosperity. Astrologically, the new moon signifies the start of a new cycle, making it perfect for new ventures and financial planning.
The positions of Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury during Diwali are considered highly favorable for business, health, and relationships. Performing puja during Diwali helps harness the positive energy of these planets, attracting success and abundance.
Diwali rituals are performed during only Shubh Muhurat, the most powerful hours of the day, ensuring maximum blessings and results. Starting important work or investments during Diwali is considered highly beneficial according to astrology.
Conclusion
Diwali is not just a festival but also, it’s a celebration of life itself. It’s the festival of that moment when families come to celebrate together, when smiles replace worries, and when every home becomes a small universe of love and light, hope and happiness.
As you light your diyas this Diwali, remember: “When you light a lamp for someone else, it also brightens your path.” May this Diwali fill your home with endless joy, your heart with peace, and your life with prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why do we Celebrate Diwali?
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It also marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya and the worship of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.
2. Which Goddess is Worshipped on Diwali?
Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshipped on Diwali night.
3. Why do we Light Diyas during Diwali?
Lighting diyas removes darkness, symbolizes knowledge and positivity, and invites divine blessings into our homes.