Countdown to Deepavali

Deepavali, more widely known as Diwali, is the great Hindu festival of lights, also celebrated with regional meaning by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. The name comes from the Sanskrit deepavali, meaning a row of lamps, and the festival is famous for the clay oil lamps called diyas that line homes, courtyards, and temples. The countdown above tracks the number of days until the main night of Deepavali, the moment millions of families gather for prayer, sweets, and fireworks.

Across India and the global Indian diaspora, Deepavali symbolises the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time for renewal, when people clean and decorate their homes, settle debts, exchange gifts, and welcome the goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring prosperity into well-lit, welcoming households.

When is Deepavali?

Deepavali follows the lunisolar Hindu calendar and falls on the new-moon night (Amavasya) of the month of Kartik, which places it somewhere between mid-October and mid-November. Because it is tied to the lunar cycle rather than the Western calendar, the date changes each year. Use the countdown above to see exactly how long remains, and our Indian calendar converter to map Hindu calendar dates to standard ones. To count days between Deepavali and any other date, try the date duration calculator.

History and origins

Deepavali has roots stretching back more than two thousand years and gathers several traditions. In much of northern India it celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, when residents lit lamps to guide him home. In other regions it honours Krishna's victory over Narakasura, or Lakshmi's emergence from the cosmic ocean. For Sikhs it marks Bandi Chhor Divas, and for Jains it remembers Lord Mahavira attaining nirvana.

How Deepavali is observed

• Lighting rows of diyas and decorative lamps after dusk.
• Lakshmi Puja on the main night, praying for prosperity.
• Creating colourful rangoli patterns at the entrance of the home.
• Sharing sweets and savoury snacks with family and neighbours.
• Setting off fireworks and wearing new clothes over the five-day festival.

Frequently asked questions about Deepavali

Are Deepavali and Diwali the same festival?

Yes. Deepavali is the fuller Sanskrit name and Diwali is the popular shortened form. Both refer to the same Hindu festival of lights.

How many days does Deepavali last?

Deepavali is a five-day festival. The main night, with Lakshmi Puja, usually falls on the third day on the new moon of Kartik.

Why does the Deepavali date change every year?

Because it is set by the lunisolar Hindu calendar rather than the fixed Gregorian one, the date drifts between mid-October and mid-November each year.

Which deities are honoured during Deepavali?

Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, is central, alongside Ganesha. Regional traditions also celebrate Rama, Krishna, and others.

Is Deepavali only a Hindu festival?

It is primarily Hindu, but Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists also observe it with their own historical meanings.