Diwali is one of the most delightfully celebrated festivals in Hindu culture, a festival of new beginnings, a time to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness. The festival is perhaps best known as a festival of lights. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepawali, meaning "rows of lighted lamps”. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on Diwali.

The celebrations last for 5 days and this is the reason it is called “Panchutsav”

Diwali 2025 date and puja muhurat

Pradosh Kaal Muhurat

Step by step Diwali Puja Vidhi

1. Sanctify Your Home and Its Surroundings 

After cleaning every corner of the house, you need to sprinkle the Holy water of Ganga or Ganga Jal to purify the house. Besides, you should clean the surroundings as well.

     2. Set the Platform 

After the purification, set the platform. Then place a red cloth on a raised platform, and keep a few rice grains in the center.

     3. Place the Kalash 

After that, place the bronze plated Kalash on the rice bed in the middle of the platform and fill it with 75% water. Than put a betel nut, any flower, a coin, and some rice, and also the odd number of mango leaves around it.

     4. Place the Idol or Picture of Goddess Lakshmi 

Next, you need to place the idol carefully within the center of the decorated plate or thali. You can put the idol of Lord Ganesh and goddess Lakshmi on the right side of the Kalash.

     5. Place Some Items Related to Wealth 

After placing the idol, you ought to put your business accounts book or any other wealth items in front of the Goddess to shower blessing over you.

     6. Bath the Idol 

Place the idol in a plate, bathe with panchamrit, and then with clear water. After that, settle the idol carefully in its former place.

     7. Apply Tilak and Light Diya 

Now it is time to apply tilak to the idols and also in the Kalash. Then light incense sticks and a Diya or oil lamp with five wicks, place it on a plate with some haldi, kumkum, and rice. You may try to decorate the diyas with recycled materials.

     8. Offer Water, Flower, Sweet, Coconut and Put a Garland 

In front of the idol, make offerings of water, flowers, various sweets, coconuts, rice grains, fruits, money, or gold ornaments. Now, offer a garland of marigold around the neck of the Goddess and place some flowers and a few bel leaves.

     9. Start the Puja and Recite the Mantra 

After arranging all these, you need to sprinkle Holy Water all over the items. Then you can start the puja by placing a flower in your folded hands to offer your prayers. Then chant the mantras available in many books and online by closing your eyes and praying to the Goddess for your family’s wealth and well-being.

    10. Perform the Arati 

Finally, recite the puja arati with the entire family and offer some flowers at the feet of the Goddess. In the end, distribute the prasad among the family members.

Day-wise Significance

First Day – Dhanteras

Dhanteras also known as Dhantrayodashi marks the beginning of  the festival of lights to welcome prosperity and wealth in our life . The word Dhan translates to wealth, an on this day the God and Goddess of wealth, Lord Kubera and Goddess Laxmi, are worshipped. It is believed that it was on this day that Goddess Laxmi emerged from the ocean when it was being churned (samudra manthan) with a pot of gold and wealth. The God of Ayurveda, Lord Dhanvantari, is also worshipped on this day. He is believed to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu and it is believed he reserved the vessel containing the nectar of immortality, Amrit. People light diyas and while performing puja they place their new purchases next to the idol of the deity.

Second Day – Narak Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali

Narak Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali also goes by the name Roop Chaturdashi and Roop Chaudas. On this day, Lord Krishna defeated demon Narakasura, and therefore, people make it a practice to let go of all things bad, evil, or old on this day. Choti Diwali is, in fact, also the main day of the Diwali celebration in most of South India.

Third Day – Diwali or Deepavali

The third day is the new moon day in the month of Karthik and the main day of celebration in most parts of India as they welcome Lord Rama’s victory and arrival in Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

Fourth Day – Govardhan Puja

According to the Vikram Samvat calendar, the fourth day of the festival is also a new year day. Known for Pratipada, Govardhan Puja, or Annakut, the legend says that Lord Krishna on this day lifted the Govardhan Hill and provided shelter to local villagers during torrential rains.

Fifth Day – Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej

The last day of this five-day celebration ends with a beautiful family moment that honors the sweet bond shared by a brother and sister. Bhai Dooj or Bhratri Ditwiya, also known as Bhau Beej (in Marathi), Bhai Phota (in Bengali), relates to Yama (the God of death) and his sister, Yamuna who put tilak on Yama’s forehead and showered the Akshat on him.

Stories and Legend behind Diwali

Although there are several stories associated with Diwali celebrations but here are few which are commonly known and may help shed light on the rich internal diversity nature of the festival.

The Return of Lord Rama and his Wife

The most interesting story associated with Diwali is that of Rama’s return to Ayodhya according to the Ramayana. As legend has it, Rama was exiled from the kingdom of Ayodhya for 14 years, along with his brother Lakshman and wife Sita. The three lived happily together in the forest along a riverbank until one day Sita was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana. Rama searched the land for some time in pursuit of Sita until he finally found her, defeating Ravana and bringing her back to his side. Rama and his companions then returned to Ayodhya to reclaim the throne which was rightfully his and were greeted joyously by all.

The Rebirth of Lakshmi

Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, is the most prominent goddess associated with Diwali, and thus her story is one that has particular significance to the festival.

As the story goes, through a display of arrogance, the god Indra once provoked Lakshmi to leave the divine world and enter the milky ocean. Without the guidance and blessings of Lakshmi, the world then turned into a dark place, and the gods were desperate to bring her back. After churning the milky ocean for 1,000 years, Lakshmi was finally reborn, rising to the surface on a beautiful lotus flower, and once again bringing to the world her blessings of good fortune.

On Diwali, people light up the night to guide Lakshmi into their home and bring good fortune and prosperity for the year to come.

Lord Krishna's Victory

This legend holds that Narakasura was blessed by Brahma with the power that he could only die by the hand of his mother, whom Narakasura believed would never kill him due to her deep love for him. His mother, however, was born again as Krishna’s wife Satyabhama, who, upon seeing Narakasura wound her husband Krishna in battle, delivered the fatal blow. In dying, Narakasura requested that no one mourn his death, and instead celebrate with life and color, as we see take place every year during the Diwali festival.

Diwali Celebrations across different religions

As we all know Diwali is a symbol of the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is celebrated by many different religions in India and each religion has different pretexts for celebration. They celebrate this festival based on their own religious legends/histories.

• Hindus celebrate Diwali to honor Rama’s eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana.
• For Jains, this holiday is the celebration of one of their most revered leaders attaining Nirvana.
• For Sikhs, it is the celebration of Guru Hargobind's release from prison.