When Is Diwali?

Diwali, the festival of lights, moves with the Moon, so its date changes every year. Our Diwali Date Finder works out the date for any year from 1900 to 2100. Choose a year and a location to see the main night of the festival, the local sunset, the Lakshmi Puja window, and the five days of celebration.

How the Date of Diwali Is Worked Out

Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar. The main night, Lakshmi Puja, is held on Amavasya, the new moon phase that closes the lunar month in which the Sun moves into sidereal Libra (Tula). This places Diwali somewhere between mid October and mid November.

The new moon phase lasts for most of a day, so the exact evening depends on timing. Tradition holds that Lakshmi Puja should take place during Pradosh Kaal, the window of roughly two and a half hours after sunset, while Amavasya is still in force. Because sunset times change from place to place, two cities can sometimes celebrate on different days.

The Date Finder calculates the positions of the Sun and Moon for the chosen year, finds the right new moon, and then checks the evenings either side against local sunset. In close years, such as 2024 and 2025, the new moon phase touches two evenings, and almanacs disagree. When that happens, the Date Finder shows the second date too.

Why Diwali Matters

For Hindus, Diwali remembers Rama's return home and honours Lakshmi. Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas, Jains remember the nirvana of Mahavira, and Newar Buddhists in Nepal celebrate Swanti. At its heart, Diwali is about light overcoming darkness: wisdom over ignorance, and good over evil.

Read our article: Can Buddhists celebrate Diwali?, including practices for the festival of lights

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