Is Diwali 2025 on October 20 or 21? Check the Exact Date, Tithi & Muhurat Here

Confused about Diwali 2025? Discover the correct dates, Tithi & Muhurat for celebrating the festival of lights with your family.

Diwali is almost here, bringing joy, devotion, and a sense of spiritual renewal. Hindus anticipate this festival of lights, sweets, and family reunions every year. However, many people get confused about the date because it follows the lunar calendar. In 2025, the main day of the several days of Diwali celebrations will be October 21. Here’s a closer examination of the festival and its best times to be celebrated, along with its spiritual significances.

The Festival of Diwali is Just Around the Corner

Day 1: Dhanteras – October 18, 2025

Tithi: Trayodashi

Begins: 12:18 PM, October 18

Ends: 01:51 PM, October 19

Dhanteras is the first and most auspicious day of Diwali. On this day, buying gold, silver, utensils, or other valuable items is believed to bring wealth and good luck, according to the shastras. Sadhus and gurus have passed down this tradition for generations. It is considered a perfect day to invite prosperity and well-being into your home. Devotees also perform Lakshmi Puja to welcome divine blessings.

Shloka from Padma Purana:

सर्वसंपदां महाधनं लक्ष्मीः संप्राप्यते च।

"By worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, one attains all wealth and prosperity."

Day 2: Choti Diwali – October 20, 2025

Tithi: Chaturdashi

Begins: 01:51 PM, October 19

Ends: 03:44 PM, October 20

Choti Diwali, or Naraka Chaturdashi, commemorates the day Lord Krishna beat the demon Naraksura. On this day, devotees wake up the earliest, perform special ritual baths, and light small diyas. The diyas help to remove darkness and bring light into their homes. Sanatangyan teachings emphasize that cleansing both mind and body on this day invites positivity and spiritual purity.

Day 3: Diwali – October 21, 2025

Tithi: Amavasya

Begins: 03:44 PM, October 20

Ends: 05:54 PM, October 21

The most significant day of Diwali will be on October 21, 2025. On this day, devotees venerate Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, along with Lord Ganesha. Homes are adorned with rows of diyas, rangoli, and colorful lights. According to Sanatangyan shastras, lighting lamps on Amavasya symbolizes the illumination of wisdom and the removal of darkness from our lives.

Shloka from Vishnu Purana:

असतो मा सद्गमय, तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।

"Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light."

Every family relishes this day with fireworks, sweets, and fireworks, thus celebrating the festive spirit of joy and togetherness, and fostering family reunions. The celebrations also remind us of the values taught by gurus and preserved by sadhus for centuries.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja – October 22, 2025

Tithi: Pratipada

Begins: 05:54 PM, October 21

Ends: 08:16 PM, October 22

Annakut, or Govardhan Puja, celebrates and honors Lord Krishna for lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect villagers during nasty rains. On this day, devotees prepare large vegetarian meals. They offer these meals to Lord Krishna as a sign of devotion and gratitude. Based on the Sanatangyan philosophy, this day embodies the spirit of gratitude, devotion, and reverence for nature. This day celebrates the special bond, along with the values of harmony and oneness, as taught in the shastras and Sanatangyan traditions.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj – October 23, 2025

Tithi: Dwitiya

Begins: 08:16 PM, October 22

Ends: 10:46 PM, October 23

The last day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj. This day marks the celebration of the special bond along with the values of harmony and togetherness taught in the shastras and the Sanatangyan tradition. Sisters perform aarti and pray for their brothers’ well-being and success, and in return, brothers give gifts to their sisters. It also celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters.

Spiritual Significance of Diwali

It is also more celebration of the values of Sanatan Dharma which Diwali holds and the Sanatan principles which have been preservedd over the centuries by the gurus, sadhus, and the sacred shastras. The festival encourages self-reflection, cleansing of the mind, and devotion to Dharma.

In Sanatangyan philosophy, Diwali inspires us to light the wisdom lamp inside ourselves, which the Rigveda eloquently describes.

"तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।"

“Lead me from darkness to light.”

In 2025, Diwali will be celebrated mainly on October 21. With rituals like Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj, the days surrounding Diwali also hold significance. Sadhus, the gurus, and ancient shastras also guide these traditions. This festival of lights teaches us to value knowledge, devotion, and harmony. It truly reflects the spirit of the Sanatangyan tradition.