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Festival guide

दीपावली Dīpāvalī & Lakṣmī Pūjā

The festival of lights on the new-moon night of Kārtika, when Lakṣmī and Gaṇeśa are worshipped and every home is lit with lamps.

  • Festival
  • Lakṣmī
  • Gaṇeśa
  • Rāmāyaṇa tradition; Bhāgavata Purāṇa (Narakāsura); Padma and Skanda Purāṇas (Kārtika māhātmya)
Lakṣmī

At a glance

When
Kārtika Amāvasyā (Āśvina in the pūrṇimānta calendar)
Usually falls in
October–November
Duration
Five days, from Dhanteras to Bhāī Dūj
Deity
Lakṣmī
Also called
Diwali, Deepavali, Deepawali, Lakshmi Puja

Exact dates and timings depend on your location and calendar tradition: check a local pañcāṅga.

The story of Dīpāvalī & Lakṣmī Pūjā

Dīpāvalī means "a row of lamps". In the North it celebrates Rāma's return to Ayodhyā after fourteen years of exile, when the city lit lamps to welcome him. In the South the day before, Naraka Caturdaśī, recalls Kṛṣṇa and Satyabhāmā slaying the demon Narakāsura. Everywhere, the new-moon night is the night of Lakṣmī, goddess of prosperity, who is invited into clean, lit homes.

The festival runs for five days: Dhanteras (worship of Dhanvantari and Lakṣmī), Naraka Caturdaśī, Lakṣmī Pūjā on Amāvasyā, Govardhana Pūjā or Bali Pratipadā, and Yama Dvitīyā or Bhāī Dūj for brothers and sisters.

Sources: Rāmāyaṇa tradition; Bhāgavata Purāṇa (Narakāsura); Padma and Skanda Purāṇas (Kārtika māhātmya)

How to observe Dīpāvalī & Lakṣmī Pūjā

  1. Clean and decorate the home, draw rangolī at the door and light lamps in every room and at the entrance.
  2. In the evening (pradoṣa kāla) worship Gaṇeśa first, then Lakṣmī, with Kubera and the account books for businesses.
  3. Offer lotus or red flowers, sweets, rice and coins, and recite the Śrī Sūktam or the Mahālakṣmī Aṣṭakam.
  4. Keep a lamp burning through the night and share sweets with neighbours.
  5. On the following days, keep Govardhana Pūjā and Bhāī Dūj as your family does.

Customs differ between families and regions; follow your own tradition where it differs.

How it is celebrated in different regions

  • North India

    Rāma's homecoming, Lakṣmī–Gaṇeśa pūjā and fireworks on Amāvasyā.

  • Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

    The main day is Naraka Caturdaśī, with an oil bath before dawn.

  • Bengal

    Kālī Pūjā is celebrated on the same new-moon night.

  • Nepal

    Tihar, five days honouring crows, dogs, cows and brothers as well as Lakṣmī.

Questions about Dīpāvalī & Lakṣmī Pūjā

When is Lakṣmī Pūjā done on Dīpāvalī?

In the evening of Amāvasyā, during pradoṣa kāla after sunset, preferably in a fixed (sthira) lagna. Check a local pañcāṅga for exact times.

Why is Gaṇeśa worshipped with Lakṣmī?

Gaṇeśa is worshipped first in every pūjā as remover of obstacles; wealth is sought together with wisdom.

Learn Sanskrit

About Dīpāvalī & Lakṣmī Pūjā

Dīpāvalī & Lakṣmī Pūjā is a festival (in Devanagari: दीपावली (Dīpāvalī & Lakṣmī Pūjā)). Source: Rāmāyaṇa tradition; Bhāgavata Purāṇa (Narakāsura); Padma and Skanda Purāṇas (Kārtika māhātmya).

The festival of lights on the new-moon night of Kārtika, when Lakṣmī and Gaṇeśa are worshipped and every home is lit with lamps.

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