Diwali 2023 (Deepavali 2023) is on Sunday, November 12th in India.
Diwali's date is determined by the India calendar and changes every year, ranging from October to November. It is observed on the 15th day of the 8th month (the month of Kartik) in India's calendar. The day is an Amavasya or 'new moon day'. Amavasya Tithi (the period when the moon opposes the sun's light by up to 12°) is from 02:44pm on November 12th to 02:56pm on November 13th in 2023.
The Goddess Lakshmi (the god of wealth) is mainly worshiped during Diwali Puja for happiness, prosperity, and fame. For Diwali 2023, the Lakshmi Puja Muhurat (best time to worship Lakshmi) is the 1 hour 56 minutes from 05:40pm to 07:36pm on November 12th.
Diwali is derived from Sanskrit word Deepavali meaning 'Line of Lamps'. It is one of the most important festivals in India, marking a new year, and often compared to Christmas in the West.
The celebrations of Diwali 2023 last for 5 days.
- Diwali Day 1: November 10th, 2023 Trayodashi - Dhanteras
- Diwali Day 2: November 11th, 2023 Chaturdashi - Choti Diwali
- Diwali Day 3: November 12th, 2023 Amavasya - Diwali
- Diwali Day 4: November 13th, 2023 Pratipada - Padwa
- Diwali Day 5: November 14th, 2023 Dwitiya - Bhai Duj
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Diwali 2023 Calendar of 5-Day Celebrations (2023 में दिवाली कब है)
5 Days of Diwali 2023Diwali celebrations take place over 5 days with each day typically having different rituals and traditions. Below we have listed all the days of Diwali along with their calendar dates and a short description of what happens on each day:
Day 1 — Dhanteras: November 10th, 2023 (Friday) Trayodashi
This is the first day of the festival when people clean their homes and prepare for the events ahead. This is also a busy shopping day, when it is considered lucky to go to markets and buy gold or new kitchen items.
Day 2 — Choti Diwali: November 11th, 2023 (Saturday) Chaturdashi
The second day is when people start decorating their homes. Many families will put up string lights and start creating their rangoli, which are intricate designs placed on the floors of homes.
Indians decorate home with string lights during DiwaliCheck more details about Diwali traditional decorations here.
Day 3 — Diwali and Lakshmi Puja: November 12th, 2023 (Sunday) Amavasya
The most important part of the celebration is the ritual that takes place on this day.
Clay oil lamps or diyas are lit and rituals worshipping the goddess Lakshmi are performed. The most auspicious time for worship (Puja) is from 05:40pm to 07:36pm. The worshipping can be done at temples or at home by placing a red cloth on the puja chowki ('worship table'), putting the idol on it, and then offering flowers, fruits (water chestnuts, pomegranate, quince, and coconut) and sweets (notably kesari bhaat — semolina pudding with saffron, nuts, and sugar) to Goddess Lakshmi, then prostrating in front of the idol and joining your palms for prayers.
On the day of Diwali, families get together to exchange gifts and have a large meal. Many people wear their nicest clothes on this day and say "Happy Diwali" to each other.
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Day 4 — Padwa: November 13th, 2023 (Monday) Pratipada
The fourth day of celebrations is dedicated to the love between husband and wife, and men will often buy gifts for their wives. Many businesses open new accounts on this day as it is considered auspicious.
Day 5 — Bhai Duj: November 14th, 2023 (Tuesday) Dwitiya
Bhai Duj (Bhaubeej), the last day of celebrations is dedicated to brothers and sisters. To celebrate their bond, sisters perform a special ceremony for their brothers for their protection. Brothers give presents to their sisters.
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What are Diwali Dates from 2022 to 2030?
Light on Diwali festivalThe date of this festival is based on the lunar calendar and therefore changes every year, but it usually falls in November or late October. Here are all the dates of the Festival of Lights in India from 2020 to 2030.
The dates included in the table are for the main day of celebrations. Diwali is also celebrated for two days before and two days after this date.
| Festival | Diwali Date |
|---|---|
| Diwali 2023 | November 12, Sunday |
| Diwali 2024 | November 1, Friday |
| Diwali 2025 | October 21, Tuesday |
| Diwali 2026 | November 8, Sunday |
| Diwali 2027 | October 29, Friday |
| Diwali 2028 | October 17, Tuesday |
| Diwali 2029 | November 5, Monday |
| Diwali 2030 | October 26, Saturday |
Is Diwali/Deepavali a Public Holiday?
Family cerebration on Diwali festivalDiwali is a public holiday for the general population of India and almost the entire country has the main day off. Depending on the region the official public holiday may take place on different days, but most Indians take off the entire week to be with their families as preparations for the holiday can start weeks in advance with Diwali fair and markets opening up to sell decorations and sweets.
Most banks and businesses will be closed on Diwali. You can also expect most restaurants and shops to be closed or have reduced hours throughout the week. Public transportation should still be running as many Indians use it to travel to their family homes, but you should always check with your hotel or guide to make sure.
Diwali is not really celebrated in the South Indian state of Kerala, and although there is a public holiday for the event you can expect some shops and restaurants to remain open.
Diwali Celebration Date in Different Regions of India
Though some themes of Diwali are universal, such as the triumph of good over evil and darkness paving the way for light, Diwali is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, each community celebrating Diwali for different reasons.
Each state is very different from its neighbors and likely has its own unique culture and language. Here are some of the multiple ways of celebrating this festival in different regions of India.
| Festivals | Region | 2023 Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepavali | South India | November 12th | Deepavali in Tamil Nadu includes Ayurvedic medicine and rituals to appease the ancestors. |
| Naraka Chaturdashi | Goa and West India | November 11th (usually the day before Diwali) | In Goa, people believe that Diwali celebrates the defeat of the evil demon Narakasura by Durga and Krishna. To celebrate they burn large effigies of the demon and parade through the streets. |
| Dev Diwali | Varanasi | November 26th | Dev Diwali a celebration unique to Varanasi's that takes place 15 days after Diwali. At this time, the gods are believed to gather at the Ganges in Varanasi and to celebrate the city lights clay lanterns, decorates, and sets of fireworks. |
| Kali Puja | West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam | November 12th | While most of the country celebrates Lakshmi, West Bengal and other east Indian states worship Kali, the goddess of destruction. During Kali Puja, large statues of the fearsome goddess are erected around the city and she is given offerings and worshipped. |
| Jain Diwali | All over India, but some of the best places include Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat | November 12th | While Diwali is mainly a Hindu holiday, it is also celebrated by Jains. Jains believe that Diwali is the day that Lord Mahavir achieved Nirvana and freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth. |
| Bandi Chhor Divas | Punjab | November 12th | Diwali is also celebrated by Sikhs in India. For Sikhs, this holiday commemorates the day when the 6th guru, Guru Hargobind was released from unjust imprisonment. To take in the beauty of the Sikh celebrations, head to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. |
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