The Five-Day Celebrations of Diwali

Year after year, potters bring deepams (clay lamps) to life. Homes fill with the warm colours of rangoli, and busy markets light up with sparkling festive lights. Diwali comes around every single year, yet the joy it brings feels as fresh as ever. Why does the excitement never die? Because Diwali isn't just about lighting up the dark. It's about sharing love and staying connected. It celebrates family, community, and togetherness. The simple warmth of these traditions, passed down through the ages, keeps the festival so full of life.

This rich heritage received global recognition on December 10, 2025, when Diwali was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Each day of this five-day festival of lights brings its own ancient story and deep spiritual meaning. Before we look closer at these beautiful traditions, let’s take a look at when the festival begins this year.

Puja Muhurat quick reference:

Highlights of the Blog:

• The Significance of Diwali in Vedic Astrology
• Dhanteras
• Naraka Chaturdashi
• Diwali and Lakshmi Pujan
• Govardhan Puja and Annakut Utsav
• Bhai Dooj (Bhaiya Dooj)

The Significance of Diwali in Vedic Astrology

In Vedic astrology, Diwali’s timing is significant. During this specific alignment, the Sun (soul) and Moon (mind) sit together in Libra (Tula). Venus rules the sign of Libra. It is the planet associated with beauty, splendour, comfort, and material prosperity. At the same time, Goddess Lakshmi is the deity of wealth, luxury, and good fortune.

Thus, the connection between Libra and Venus provides a unique cultural and astrological context to Lakshmi Pujan. This occasion reminds us of the importance of external prosperity while also highlighting the need for balance, wisdom, and inner peace in our lives.

Five-Day Diwali at a Glance

Dhanteras 

Dhanteras, or Dhan Trayodashi, marks the first official day of the five-day Diwali festival celebration. The word comes from two terms: "Dhan" meaning wealth or prosperity, and "Trayodashi" meaning the 13th lunar day of the Krishna Paksh (dark fortnight) in the month of Kartik. Dhanteras is a day dedicated to inviting good fortune, health, physical well-being, and financial stability into the household.

Dhanteras Date & Dhanteras Muhurat: 

• Trayodashi Tithi Begins: 06 November, 2026 at 10:30 AM
• Trayodashi Tithi Ends: 07 November, 2026 at 10:47 PM

Auspicious Muhurat for Dhantrayodashi Puja:

• Pradosh Kaal: 05:33 PM to 08:09 PM
• Vrishabh Kaal: 06:02 PM to 07:57 PM

Performing the Dhanteras puja during Pradosh Kaal when the fixed ascendant (Sthir Lagna) prevails is considered highly auspicious. Vrishabh Lagna is a fixed ascendant. During this time, Ma Lakshmi fills the home with lasting peace, happiness, and prosperity.

Two main legends are associated with the Kartik Krishna Trayodashi:

1. The Manifestation of Lord Dhanvantari

According to the Shrimad Bhagavat Mahapuran (34-35.8), the Devas and Asuras did Samudra Manthan (cosmic churning of the ocean). On Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, Lord Dhanvantari, an avatar of Sri Hari Vishnu, emerged holding a Kalash (pot) filled with Amrita (the nectar of immortality) and sacred Ayurvedic texts. Thus, devotees celebrate his divine manifestation on this day to seek good health.

2. The Story of King Hima’s Son (Yamadeepam Katha)

According to legend, the sixteen-year-old son of King Hima was destined to die of a snakebite on the fourth night after his marriage. On that crucial night, his clever young wife kept him awake, placed her gold and silver ornaments and coins at the doorway, and lit many lamps (diyas) all around the room. She spent the entire night telling stories and singing songs to keep her husband awake.

When Lord Yama, the god of death, came in the form of a serpent, the bright lights from the lamps and the shiny gold coins blinded him. Unable to enter, he sat on the heap all night, listening to the songs. By morning, the critical hour had passed, and Yamraj left quietly without hurting the prince. Since then, lighting an oil lamp facing south (Yamadeep) on Dhanteras has been done to protect family members from untimely death. 

Why is Dhanteras Celebrated

(Dhanteras and Yamadeepam celebration on Trayodashi)

Health & Medicine: People worship Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine, to seek long life, immunity, and relief from illness. Therefore, this day is also celebrated as National Ayurveda Day.

While buying gold, silver, and jewellery is a special tradition on Dhanteras, its core message reminds us that health is the greatest wealth.

Wealth and Prosperity: In Dhanteras pooja, we worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber (treasurer of the gods) for prosperity and abundance in the household. Shopkeepers and business owners also clean their premises and conduct the pujas. In Gujarati and Marwari trading traditions, old accounts are settled around this period, 

Custom of Buying Metals: Thinking about what to buy on Dhanteras? Purchasing gold, silver, copper, brass, or new utensils on this auspicious day symbolises bringing everlasting Lakshmi (abundance) into the household.

Narka Chaudas 

Naraka Chaturdashi Dates & Abhyang Snan Muhurat:

• Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: 07 November, 2026 at 10:47 AM
• Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: 08 November, 2026 at 11:27 AM

Abhyang Snan time: 05:41 AM to 06:48 AM (Duration: 57 minutes)

Narak Chaudas falls on the 14th lunar day (Chaturdashi) of the Krishna Paksh in the month of Kartik. It's also called as ‘Choti Diwali’, when people light oil lamps and firecrackers as a pre-Diwali observance. The many names of this festival are derived from the distinct traditions associated with them.

Kali Chaudas:

Popular in Gujarat and Western India, dedicated to worshipping Goddess Kali and often Lord Hanuman, for protection from negativity and evil influences.

Kali Chaudas Puja Muhurat:

Day & Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026

Puja Muhurat: 11:39 PM (Nov 7) to 12:31 AM, Nov 8, 2026 (Duration: 52 minutes)

Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: November 07, 2026 at 10:47 AM

Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: November 08, 2026 at 11:27 AM

Roop Chaudas or Roop Chaturdashi:

Emphasises cleansing, self-care, and enhancing beauty and radiance (roop) through pre-dawn abhyanga snan (oil massage and bath with ubtan). This day is dedicated to shedding the old, stagnant, and negativity (daridra), both internally and externally, to prepare ourselves to receive the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali.

Bhoot Chaturdashi:

In Bengal, 14 earthen lamps (choddo prodip) are lit to guide the spirits of 14 generations of ancestors and ward off evil spirits. Eating 14 kinds of leafy greens (choddo shaak) is another distinctive tradition.

Legends & Katha

1. The Slaying of Narakasura (Narak Chaturdashi Katha)

(Sri Krishna slaying Narakasura)

According to the Bhagavat Puran (10.59), Narakasura, the king of Pragjyotishpur and son of Bhudevi, grew arrogant with his immense power. He attacked the swargaloka (heavens), defeated Indra Dev, stole Lord Varuna’s umbrella, the earrings of Devi Aditi, the mother of the gods, and the demigods’ playground, Mani-parvat and imprisoned 16,100 women.

To help the gods, Sri Krishna took his wife Devi Satyabhama, an incarnation of Bhudevi, to Narakasura's kingdom on Garuda Dev. He killed the Asura with the Sudarshan Chakra, rescued all the women, and returned the stolen earrings to Devi Aditi. Therefore, this day is also celebrated as Narak Chaturdashi to celebrate this victory of good over evil.

2. Seeking Ma Kali’s protection (Kali Chaudas)

Kali Chaudas is dedicated to worshipping Ma Kali and often Lord Hanuman, for protection from negativity and evil influences, as devotees prepare for Diwali. The dark night is considered especially potent for Kali sadhana. This tradition of invoking protection is widely celebrated as Kali Chaudas.

Ma Kali’s Puja, particularly in Bengal, is observed on the Kartika Amavasya (Diwali night). 

Lakshmi Pujan 

The word 'Deepavali' comes from two Sanskrit words, Deep (lamp) and Avali (row), which beautifully translates to a 'row of lamps'. Throughout the five days of this festival, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi holds a very special place. This sacred puja is performed on Kartik Amavasya, the night of Diwali. Because Amavasya represents the darkest night, lighting oil lamps (diyas) on this evening signifies removing physical, spiritual, and financial darkness.

According to the Puranas, during the Samudra Manthan, on this day, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the Ksheer Sagar (ocean of milk). It is also the day when, in the Treta Yug, the people of Ayodhya lit up their entire city with lamps to joyfully welcome Sri Ram home after his fourteen years in exile. Every year, Ma Lakshmi descends to Earth on Kartik Amavasya. The devotion woven into these two beautiful stories makes Diwali a festival of prosperity, the victory of righteousness, and a celebration of divine new beginnings.

On this day, Ma Lakshmi visits homes and businesses that are kept clean, lit with lamps, and where she is welcomed with pure devotion. She is worshipped alongside Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, Lord Kuber, treasurer of the swargloka, and Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom.

Lakshmi Pujan Timings:

• Pradosh Kaal: 05:31 PM to 08:09 PM
• Vrishabha Kaal: 05:54 PM to 07:50 PM
• Amavasya Tithi Begins: 08 November, 2026 at 11:27 AM
• Amavasya Tithi Ends: 09 November, 2026 at 12:31 PM

Vasu Baras or Vagh Baras: 5 November 2026

In Gujarat, Diwali festivities joyfully begin with Vagh Baras, also known as Govatsa Dwadashi. On this day, people worship cows and calves as a sign of gratitude for their nurturing role

Chopda Pujan: 8 November 2026

On Diwali, business communities in Gujarat observe a special tradition known as Chopda Pujan. 'Chopda' refers to account books. During this ritual, merchants worship their new ledgers and account books to welcome prosperity for the coming year.

Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas): 10 November 2026

The Gujarati New Year is celebrated as Bestu Varas. This special day marks the beginning of the Gujarati Vikram Samvat 2083.

Govardhan Puja and Annakut Utsav

(Sri Krishna’s Govardhan Leela)

Govardhan Puja celebrates Govardhan leela (pastime) of Sri Krishna, when he lifted the Govardhan hill on his little finger to protect the people of Braj from Indra’s anger. This leela assures devotees that those who take shelter of the Lord are never left alone in times of trouble.

Govardhan Puja Time:

• Govardhan Puja Date: Tuesday, 10 November, 2026
• Puja Muhurat: 06:40 AM to 08:50 PM (Duration: 02 hours 10 minutes)
• Pratipada Tithi Begins: 09 November, 2026 at 12:31 PM
• Pratipada Tithi Ends: 10 November, 2026 at 02:00 PM

On this day, devotees worship Govardhan Hill and Giriraj Maharaj, and offer the Annakut bhog to Sri Krishna.

Bhai Dooj (Bhaiya Dooj)

In the busy celebrations of Diwali, Bhai Dooj comes as a sweet reminder of the bond between brothers and sisters. According to the Puranas, Yamaraj visited his sister Devi Yamuna on this day. She welcomed him with love and wished for his well-being. In keeping with this tradition, sisters apply a tilak to their brothers' foreheads and pray for their happiness, prosperity, and long life.

Bhai Dooj Timings:

• Day & Date: Wednesday, 11 November, 2026
• Bhai Dooj Muhurat: 01:10 PM to 03:20 PM (Duration: 02 hours 10 minutes)
• Dwitiya Tithi Begins: November 10, 2026 at 02:00 PM
• Dwitiya Tithi Ends: November 11, 2026 at 03:53 PM

Shubham Karoti Kalyaanam, Aarogyam Dhana-Sampada,
Shatru-Buddhi-Vinaashaaya, Deepa-Jyotir-Namostute

(I bow to the beautiful light of the lamp. It brings wellness, abundance, and peace. Let this light destroy the negativity in our minds and replace it with wisdom)

From Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, the five festivals of Diwali bring us the message of health, good conduct, prosperity, gratitude toward nature, and family love. The festival achieves its true purpose when the light we see outside begins to guide our inner thoughts and actions.

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy and blessed Diwali!