Festival of the Lights: Happy Diwali 2025

Please light the flame of love in your heart. Light the flame of wisdom in your heart. With determination, light the candle of steady faith. I am waiting to light the fire of strength that exists within you. It’s Divali time. – Divya Prabha

In the Vedic calendar, the new moon, associated with the debilitated Sun in Libra, marks one of the darkest times of the year when light seems to be extinguished and melancholy and fear can reign. The ancients knew to counteract this energy through festivals and letting in more light. So we have a wonderful Diwali to cheer us up and bring us out of the darkness.

This year, Diwali will be celebrated over five holy days from October 18 to October 22, 2025. The Sun will reach its greatest weakness on October 27th at 10 degrees Libra and the most important Lakshmi Puja will take place during the new moon on Monday October 20th. It’s the darkest night when we light candles to bring light to the darkest part of the year.

5 day celebration

With the onset of autumn, people begin preparing to celebrate festivals. Each day has its own special meaning and sacred timing.

Day 1: Dhanteras (Saturday, October 18th) – The festival of wealth begins with lamps that are ritually kept lit throughout the night in honor of Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and health, and Goddess Lakshmi. It is the most auspicious day for purchasing gold, silver, and tableware, and it is believed that these purchases will bring prosperity.

Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi/Chhoti Diwali (Sunday, October 19th) – The early morning begins with the pre-sunrise ritual Abhiyan Sunan (sacred oil bath) to commemorate Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Homes are decorated with colorful floor patterns called rangoli, and women decorate their hands with intricate henna patterns.

Day 3: Main Diwali – Deepavali (Monday 20th October) – The culmination of the celebration of worshiping Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Kuber. Relatives, family and friends acknowledge their important relationships by exchanging gifts and sweets. Diyas are lit all over the house, turning the darkness into a sea of ​​light. This day is the most auspicious day to start a new business, as the Goddess will bless your new aspirations and actions.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja/Annakut (Tuesday, October 21st) – On this day, which celebrates the lifting of Govardhan Hill by Krishna to protect devotees, grand food offerings (Annakut) are made in temples to express gratitude and abundance.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj/Yama Dhutiya (Wednesday, October 22) – The festival ends with sisters applying tilak on the foreheads of their brothers and exchanging gifts to celebrate the sacred bond of brotherhood.

spiritual meaning

People worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, along with Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, and Kuba, the treasury of wealth. Before Diwali night, families clean, renovate and decorate their homes and offices. They wear new clothes, light lamps and candles, and participate in pujas to worship these deities.

The puja is followed by fireworks and a family banquet where sweets and gifts are exchanged among family, friends and loved ones. For many businessmen, Monday October 20th also marks the start of a new financial year by adopting a new ‘bahi hatha’ or accounting books after offering it to Goddess Lakshmi. They believe that with her blessings, this year will be beneficial for them.

ancient roots and myths

This festival is mentioned in Sanskrit scriptures such as Skanda Purana and Padma Purana. The diya or small lamp is said to symbolize the part of the sun that gives cosmic light and energy to everyone.

According to popular mythology, Diwali is associated with Yama and Nachiketa of Kartik Amavasya, the new moon night of Diwali. This story is revered throughout the ages as a story about right and wrong, true wealth and knowledge. This is why people celebrate Diwali as the festival of lights, which means knowledge, prosperity and wisdom.

Myths vary by region and tradition.

• Many people celebrate Diwali to commemorate the return of Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile.
• Some celebrate this as the return of the Pandavas after 12 years of vanva and 1 year of agyatva.
• In South India, Naraka Chaturdashi commemorates Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.
• Govardhan Puja reminds us of Krishna who protected people from Indra’s wrath

In a 7th century Sanskrit play, King Harsha mentions ‘Deepaprati Padutsava’, when lamps are lit and gifts are given to the newlyweds to commemorate the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. By the 9th century, Rajasekhara called “Deepavali” “Dipamalika” to describe the tradition of cleaning houses and decorating streets and markets with lights at night.

inner light time

As we navigate this five-day festival of lights from October 18th to 22nd, let us remember that Diwali is not just an outward celebration, but a kindling of the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. At a time when the light outside seems to be at its weakest, we are called to discover and cultivate the eternal flame within ourselves.

Each of the five days offers a unique opportunity for transformation.

• Dhanteras for material and spiritual wealth
• Choti Diwali for victory over our inner demons
• Main Diwali to invite divine prosperity and remove obstacles.
• Govardhan Puja to seek gratitude and divine protection
• Bhai Dooj celebrates sacred relationships

May this Diwali bring prosperity, wisdom, and the victory of light over darkness into every aspect of your life.

Special thanks to Komilla Sutton, Jamie Bateman, and other sources for their help in gathering information about special Hindu holidays.