New Delhi, October 20, 2025 – The festival of lights, Diwali, has arrived, filling homes across India with joy and brightness. But this year, there is a big question on everyone’s mind: is Diwali on October 20 or October 21? Many families woke up today to light diyas, draw rangoli, and perform Lakshmi Puja, even as some calendars show tomorrow as the main day. Despite this confusion, most parts of the country are celebrating today, with streets glowing and markets buzzing.
Diwali, also called Deepawali, is one of India’s biggest festivals. It marks the victory of good over evil and brings people together for prayers, sweets, and fireworks. This year, the confusion comes from the Hindu calendar, where the new moon day, or Amavasya, falls over two dates. But experts say today, October 20, is the right day for the main rituals based on old rules.
As per reports from reliable sources like Moneycontrol and Times of India, the Amavasya Tithi starts at 3:44 PM on October 20 and ends at 5:54 PM on October 21. This overlap has led to different views, but the Pradosh Vyapini rule points to October 20 for Lakshmi Puja.
In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur, people have already started the festivities. Homes are decorated with lights, and the air smells of fresh sweets like kaju katli and laddoo. But along with the fun, there are worries about air pollution from crackers. Let’s look deeper into why there’s confusion, how people are celebrating, and what experts say.
Why the Mix-Up Over Diwali Date This Year?
Diwali is always on the Amavasya night in the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar. This is the darkest night, when people light lamps to chase away darkness. In 2025, the Amavasya starts in the afternoon of October 20 and goes on till the next evening.
The problem is that some calendars pick October 21 because the Amavasya ends then. But Hindu traditions use the Pradosh Vyapini rule. This rule says that if Amavasya is there during the evening time called Pradosh Kaal, that’s the day for Puja. Pradosh Kaal is the time just after sunset, around 5:35 PM today.
According to Drik Panchang and other panchangs, Pradosh Kaal on October 20 has Amavasya, so today is the correct day. In some parts of South India, they follow a different way, looking at Amavasya at sunrise, which might make it October 21 for them.
This kind of mix-up happens sometimes because the lunar calendar changes with the moon’s movement. Social media has made it bigger this year, with posts and videos spreading different dates. For example, the French Embassy in India even made a fun video saying celebrate both days!
But most religious groups, like the Kashi Vidwat Parishad in Varanasi, have said October 20 is the day. They checked old books and decided that the full Pradosh period is covered today.
How Families and Cities Are Celebrating Diwali Today
Even with the date question, India is in full festive mood on October 20. Homes from small villages to big cities are shining with diyas and colorful lights. People clean their houses early in the morning, draw beautiful rangoli at the door, and get ready for evening prayers.
In Delhi, markets like Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazaar are packed with shoppers buying sweets, clothes, and gifts. “The rush started over the weekend, and today it’s even more,” said a shop owner in Mumbai’s Crawford Market. Families are gathering to make sweets at home or buy from local shops. Popular ones are motichoor laddoo, soan papdi, and barfi.
Temples are also busy. In Varanasi, priests are doing special pujas, and in Ujjain, the Mahakaleshwar temple is lit up. Kids are excited about bursting crackers, though many places have rules against it because of pollution.
In smaller towns, people celebrate in simple ways. They light earthen lamps on rooftops and share food with neighbors. “Diwali is about family and happiness, not just the date,” said a homemaker in Jaipur.
The festival lasts five days: Dhanteras on October 18, Chhoti Diwali on October 19, main Diwali today, Govardhan Puja on October 21, and Bhai Dooj on October 22. So, even if some celebrate Puja tomorrow, the fun continues.
What Astrologers and Religious Leaders Are Saying
Many experts have spoken out to clear the air. Acharya Vinod Joshi, a Vedic astrologer from Varanasi, said: “According to the Pradosh Vyapini rule, Lakshmi Puja must be done when Amavasya is active during Pradosh Kaal. That falls on October 20 this year. So, today is the correct day for Diwali.”
Swami Harinarayan, a priest at a big temple in Ujjain, added: “We are performing all rituals today. The confusion is natural, but tradition and scriptures guide us clearly.”
From social media, astrologer Astro Vasishtji shared: “There is no real reason for confusion… Diwali should be celebrated on 20 October 2025.” Another astrologer, Dr. Madhu Priya, confirmed the dates for related festivals like Dhanteras on October 18.
Anshul Pandey, a writer on Hindu traditions, explained: “Many are debating without scriptural evidence. Based on texts, it’s October 20.”
These statements match reports from Business Today and NDTV, which say India will mostly celebrate on October 20.
Boom in Markets and Business During Diwali
Diwali means big shopping time. This year, sales have gone up a lot. E-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart saw a 24% rise in orders compared to last year. People from small cities and towns bought more, making up over 50% of sales.
Retailers say gold, electronics, and clothes are hot items. “We had record crowds over the weekend,” said a jeweler in Delhi. Sweet shops are busy with orders for kaju katli and other mithai.
Overall, festive sales might cross Rs 1.2 lakh crore, up 27% from 2024. Auto sales also grew by 5.2% in September. This shows how Diwali boosts the economy.
Pollution Worries in Big Cities
While celebrations are on, air quality is a big concern. In Delhi, the AQI hit 335 this morning, which is ‘very poor’. By afternoon, it reached 334, with smog covering the city.
Crackers and stubble burning are the main reasons. The government has banned many types of crackers and is using anti-smog guns. In Lucknow and Patna, similar warnings are out.
Experts say use green crackers or skip them. “Celebrate with lights, not smoke,” advised a doctor in Kolkata. SAFAR reported hazardous levels in some areas.
Key Rituals and Timings for Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi Puja is the heart of Diwali. It happens during Pradosh Kaal, from 7:08 PM to 8:18 PM today. People worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, Lord Ganesha for good starts, and Lord Kuber for money.
Steps include:
- Clean the house and Puja place.
- Draw rangoli and place diyas.
- Set up idols or pictures of gods.
- Offer flowers, sweets, fruits, and light incense.
- Chant mantras and do aarti.
- Share prasad with family.
Many also do Puja for books and money. After Puja, light crackers safely.
Other days: Dhanteras for buying new things, Govardhan Puja for thanking nature, Bhai Dooj for brothers and sisters.
History and Meaning of Diwali
Diwali has old roots. It celebrates Lord Ram coming back to Ayodhya after beating Ravana. People lit lamps to welcome him. In some places, it’s for Goddess Lakshmi’s birth or Lord Krishna killing Narakasura.
It’s not just Hindu; Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, Jains mark Lord Mahavira’s nirvana. It stands for light over dark, knowledge over ignorance.
In modern times, it’s about family time, gifts, and new beginnings. Many start new businesses on Diwali.
Regional Ways of Celebrating Diwali
In North India, it’s all about lights and Puja. In South, like Tamil Nadu, it’s Deepavali with oil baths and sweets. Bengal has Kali Puja on the same day.
In Gujarat, it’s also New Year. People do Chopda Puja for account books.
Despite differences, the joy is the same everywhere.
Tips for an Eco-Friendly Diwali
To cut pollution:
- Use LED lights instead of many diyas.
- Choose green crackers if you must.
- Plant trees or give eco-gifts.
- Avoid plastic decorations.
This way, we keep the festival clean for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why is there confusion about Diwali’s date in 2025?
The confusion is because the Amavasya Tithi lasts from October 20 afternoon to October 21 evening. Diwali is on the new moon night, but the Pradosh Vyapini rule says Puja should be when Amavasya is during evening twilight on October 20. Some calendars follow different rules, like sunrise Amavasya, leading to October 21 in a few places. But most experts and panchangs confirm October 20 as the main day. This happens rarely due to lunar timing, but scriptures guide us.
Q2. What is the Pradosh Vyapini rule?
It’s an old Hindu astrology rule for timings. It means if a tithi like Amavasya covers the Pradosh Kaal (evening after sunset), that’s the day for the ritual. In 2025, Amavasya starts at 3:44 PM on October 20, so it covers the evening of October 20. This makes it right for Lakshmi Puja today. Without this rule, dates could shift, but it keeps things standard.
Q3. Can people celebrate Diwali on October 21?
Yes, if their local tradition or panchang says so, like in some South Indian areas. But most religious leaders recommend October 20 for the main Puja. You can extend celebrations to both days – do lights and fun on 21 too. The spirit matters more than the exact date.
Q4. What are the key rituals performed on Diwali?
Key ones are cleaning home, making rangoli, lighting diyas everywhere. Then Lakshmi Puja: set up altar with idols of Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kuber. Offer sweets, fruits, flowers, chant prayers. Do aarti and distribute prasad. Many burst crackers, exchange gifts, and eat festive food. Also, worship Saraswati for knowledge. It starts from evening Pradosh Kaal.
Q5. What are the pollution concerns this Diwali?
Air quality is bad in cities like Delhi, with AQI at 335-354 today, called ‘very poor’ to ‘hazardous’. Crackers release smoke, adding to smog from farms and traffic. Governments ban loud crackers, use water sprinklers. People should use eco options or avoid crackers to protect health, especially kids and old people.
Diwali 2025 started with a bit of date confusion, but the light of the festival shines bright. Families are praying for good times, businesses are happy with sales, and the country is united in joy. Remember, Diwali is about hope and togetherness. Happy Diwali to all!