Diwali 2025 Dates: Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj – Full Schedule, Puja Timings & Meaning

The Diwali season in India is a time of lights, rituals, devotion, family, sweets, and celebration. But with so many associated festivals—Dhanteras, Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi), Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Gujarati New Year, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj—many people often wonder: when exactly do these occur in 2025?

In this guide, you’ll get the Diwali 2025 dates, regional nuances, mythological significance, and tips for celebrating. For those searching “Diwali 2025 dates”, “when is Dhanteras 2025 date,” or “Bhai Dooj 2025 date in India,” this article is your go-to calendar and explanation.

Why Diwali isn’t just a day — the five-day festival cycle

Diwali is often thought of as a single “festival of lights,” but in Hindu tradition, it stretches over five key days, each with its own rituals, legends, and importance:

1. Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi)

2. Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi

3. Diwali (Lakshmi Puja / Kali Puja)

4. Govardhan Puja / Annakut / Padwa

5. Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej / Bhai Tika)

In states like Gujarat, the New Year (Bestu Varas / Gujarati New Year) also falls shortly after the main Diwali day, aligned with the lunar calendar.

Understanding this helps grasp why different regions may shift observance by a day. The Amavasya (new moon) tithi is central, and its timing can span parts of two Gregorian dates, leading to local variation.

Diwali 2025 Dates — The Full Calendar

Here’s the complete lineup for Diwali-season celebrations in 2025, based on the Drik Panchang and regional observations:

Notes on region & timing

• The Amavasya tithi (the new moon phase) in 2025 spans part of October 20 and October 21. Because the lunar calendar overlaps Gregorian dates, different states may observe Diwali either on October 20 or October 21.

• The NDTV article mentions that due to the start time of the tithi (3:44 PM Oct 20 to 5:54 PM Oct 21), many places will treat Oct 20 as Diwali.

• Kali Puja in Eastern states such as West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha is often done late at night (around midnight) on the Diwali new moon, so its rituals may extend into the early hours.

Deep Dive into Each Day & Its Significance

Dhanteras — Auspicious Beginning (Oct 18, 2025)

Dhanteras — derived from Dhan (wealth) + Teras (thirteenth day) — falls two days before Diwali. This day is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Kubera (treasurer of gods). It’s also associated with Dhanvantari, the physician god, said to have emerged from the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) on this day, carrying the nectar of immortality.

Customs include:

• Buying gold, silver, utensils, tools — considered to attract prosperity.

• Lighting diyas (oil lamps) in the evening.

• Cleaning and decorating homes to welcome Lakshmi.

Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi (Oct 20, 2025)

Also called Chhoti Diwali, this is celebrated a day before the main Diwali. Legend says Lord Krishna slew the demon Naraka and freed 16,000 women from bondage. The victory symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.

Families often wake up early, take a ritual bath with fragrant oils, and light lamps in the evening.

Lakshmi Puja & Kali Puja / Diwali Evening (Oct 20, 2025)

This is the heart of Diwali. In Hindu homes, the evening is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, prosperity, and auspicious beginnings.

Simultaneously, in states like Bengal and Odisha, Kali Puja is observed at midnight. While Lakshmi Puja is done during the Pradosh kaal (early night), Kali Puja’s main ritual often extends late into the night.

Rituals include:

• Lighting rows of diyas and decorative lamps.

• Offering sweets, fruits, and diya arrangements to Lakshmi and Ganesha.

• Firing crackers (where permitted) and performing aarti.

Gujarati New Year / Bestu Varas (Oct 22, 2025)

In Gujarat and among Gujarati communities, the New Year follows Diwali. It is a time to:

• Close old account books (Chopda Pujan), open new ones.

• Worship Lakshmi and Ganesha to bless business ventures.

• Visit family and exchange greetings of prosperity.

Govardhan Puja / Annakut (Oct 22, 2025)

Also known as Annakut, this day celebrates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect villages from Indra’s wrath. Devotees offer a mountain of food (Annakut) to Krishna.

Cows and cattle are also worshipped in many places, recognizing their importance in agrarian society.

Bhai Dooj (Oct 23, 2025)

The final day of the Diwali series celebrates the bond between siblings. Sisters perform rituals (tilak, aarti, sweets) for their brothers’ long life, and brothers in return give gifts or vows of protection. It’s an emotionally warm and family-oriented day.

In many parts of India, Bhai Dooj brings the festival to a close.

Regional Variations & Why Dates Shift

Because Hindu festivals follow a lunar (Purnimanta / Amanta) calendar, solar-based Gregorian dates don’t align neatly. Key reasons for variation:

• Tithi spanning two calendar dates: The new moon (Amavasya) in 2025 begins on afternoon of October 20 and ends on evening of October 21. This overlap means some regions observe Diwali on Oct 21 instead of Oct 20.

• Local customs & traditions: Some states follow a regional panchang (almanac) that may shift dates by a day.

• Timing of rituals (Pradosh Kaal, midnight pujas) especially for Kali Puja, may push observance into early hours of the next day.

Therefore, always confirm with a local temple panchang / trusted regional calendar for your area.

Tips to Celebrate Safely & Meaningfully

• Check local timings: Use a reliable panchang app or your local temple for exact muhurat (auspicious hours).

• Eco-friendly celebrations: Use LED lamps, clay diyas, and avoid excessive crackers.

• Donate & share: During Dhanteras and Govardhan Puja, donate grains, clothes, or food.

• Food & safety: Prepare sweets and snacks ahead, ensure no fire hazards around diyas.

• Bond with family: Bhai Dooj and New Year occasions are ideal moments for family visits, reconciliation, and gratitude.

Why Exactly These Dates Matter (Mythic & Cultural Context)

• Dhanteras marks prosperity and healing (Dhanvantari)

• Choti Diwali honors Lord Krishna’s victory

• Lakshmi / Kali Puja invoke prosperity and divine protection

• Govardhan Puja celebrates nature and Krishna’s love

• Bhai Dooj emphasizes familial bonds

• Gujarati New Year aligns economic renewal with spiritual renewal

Taken together, these dates form a tapestry of myth, ritual, devotion, and cultural rhythm for millions of devotees.

Conclusion — Prepare for a Joyous Diwali Season

The Diwali season of 2025 is rich in meaning, spanning from October 18 (Dhanteras) to October 23 (Bhai Dooj), with regional nuances and overlapping lunar phases. Whether you’re observing in Delhi, Gujarat, Bengal, or abroad, knowing “Diwali 2025 dates” and “when is Dhanteras 2025 date” empowers you to plan rituals, connect with family, and celebrate meaningfully.