When is Diwali 2027

Diwali 2027 falls on Friday, 29 October. The main day, Lakshmi Puja, is the third day of a five-day observance:

These dates follow the Amavasya tithi in Kartika month using an India-baseline Panchang. Some regional traditions and specific sampradayas calculate the exact moment of Amavasya slightly differently, which can occasionally shift Lakshmi Puja timing by a day in certain communities — check a local Panchang for your city if precise puja timing matters to you.

What Diwali celebrates

Diwali’s core story varies by region and tradition. In North India, it commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana — the city is said to have lit rows of earthen lamps (diyas) to welcome him home, giving the festival its name (deepa = lamp, avali = row). In Bengal and parts of Eastern India, the same night is dedicated to Kali Puja, honoring the goddess Kali. In Jain tradition, Diwali marks the anniversary of Lord Mahavira’s attainment of moksha (liberation). In Sikh tradition, it coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, marking Guru Hargobind Ji’s release from imprisonment.

Across all these traditions, the common thread is the same: light overcoming darkness, and good triumphing over evil.

How Diwali is celebrated

Homes and public spaces are cleaned and decorated in the days before Diwali — this is one of the few festivals where the cleaning itself is considered ritually significant, since Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit only spotless homes. Rangoli (colored powder or flower patterns) is laid at entrances, diyas and string lights are lit throughout the house, and on the main night, families perform Lakshmi Puja to invite prosperity for the year ahead.

Fireworks are a major part of urban celebrations, though in recent years several Indian cities have introduced restrictions on firecrackers due to air quality concerns — check local regulations if you’re visiting during Diwali season. Sweets (mithai) are exchanged between families, friends, and colleagues in the days surrounding the festival, and new clothes or gifts are common, especially for children.

Food and customs

Diwali sweets vary widely by region — laddoo, barfi, and kaju katli are common across the north, while South Indian households often make murukku and other savory snacks alongside sweets. Businesses, especially in trading communities, often start a new financial year’s account books (chopda pujan) on Diwali, treating the festival as a marker for new beginnings in commerce as much as in the home.

Best places to experience Diwali

Frequently asked questions

Is Diwali a public holiday in India? Yes, it’s one of India’s most widely observed public holidays, with most businesses and government offices closed on the main day.

Does Diwali fall on the same date every year? No — because it follows the lunar Hindu calendar, the Gregorian date changes annually, typically landing in October or November.

Is Diwali celebrated outside India? Yes, significant public celebrations take place in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Mauritius, Singapore, Malaysia, and in cities with large Indian diaspora communities worldwide, including London, New York, and Toronto.