Festival guide 4898
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, is a five-day celebration that marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
When to read
Monday, 15 December 4898 – Friday, 19 December 4898
Central timing
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat
Festival length
5 days of observance
Coming next
1049055 days until the observance begins.
Start with the story
Understand the observance before you open the schedule
Diwali unfolds over 5 days, so the story matters as much as the clock.
Observed on
Wednesday, 17 December 4898
Primary window
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat
Festival length
5 days of observance
5 Days of Diwali
Dhanteras
The festival of wealth. Lord Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, emerged from the ocean with Ayurveda on this day. People buy gold, silver, and utensils.
Rituals: Buy gold/silver, light diyas, worship Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi
Sunset: 5:08 pm
Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali)
Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura on this day. People wake before dawn for an oil bath (abhyanga snan) and light diyas.
Rituals: Pre-dawn oil bath, light 14 diyas, burst firecrackers
Sunset: 5:08 pm
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)
The main day of Diwali — the festival of lights. Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity.
Rituals: Lakshmi-Ganesh puja during pradosh kaal, light diyas and candles, rangoli, new clothes, sweets
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat
6:49 pm – 8:30 pm
Sunset: 5:09 pm
Govardhan Puja
Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from Indra's fury. Also called Annakut — a mountain of food is offered to the deity.
Rituals: Build Govardhan hill from cow dung, prepare 56 types of food (chhappan bhog), worship cows
Sunset: 5:09 pm
Bhai Dooj
Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Yama (god of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day, who applied tilak on his forehead.
Rituals: Sister applies tilak on brother's forehead, aarti, exchange gifts and sweets
Sunset: 5:09 pm
Festival Significance
Why this observance stays alive in memory
Diwali, the festival of lights, is a five-day celebration that marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
Ritual path
Rituals
Light diyas and candles for 5 days. Main Lakshmi Puja on Day 3 during pradosh kaal. Create rangoli, wear new clothes, distribute sweets, and burst firecrackers (eco-friendly).
Discipline
Fasting
Fasting is observed on Dhanteras and the main Diwali day until after Lakshmi Puja in the evening.
In Varanasi
Where the city adds its own colour
Varanasi transforms into a city of lights during Diwali. Every ghat is illuminated with thousands of diyas. Dev Deepawali, celebrated 15 days later on Kartik Purnima, sees over a million diyas lit on the ghats — a uniquely Varanasi tradition. The view from a boat on the Ganga is unforgettable.
