When Diwali 2025 India rolls around, families across the subcontinent brace for a week‑long celebration of light. Yet the exact day for the main Lakshmi Puja is being debated: Times of India lists Monday, 20 October, while CalendarDate.com marks Tuesday, 21 October as the official holiday. The clash matters because it determines when millions will light diyas, fire crackers, and exchange sweets. And for diaspora communities—from Dallas, Texas to London—the chosen date sets the timetable for temple events, school closures, and even airline bookings.
Why the Date Matters
The confusion isn’t just a calendar quirk; it reflects how different authorities calculate the Amavasya tithi— the new‑moon day that anchors Diwali. In the traditional Hindu almanac (Panchang), the day when the moon is completely dark during the muhurat (auspicious window) of the Lakshmi Puja is deemed the true Diwali. Some regions, especially in northern India, count the day *after* the new moon if the darkness extends past sunset. Others lock in the day *of* the new moon itself. This subtle variance can push the festival a day forward or back, and 2025 is a textbook example.
Five‑Day Schedule Explained
Regardless of the exact main‑day, the festival follows a five‑day rhythm that has been observed for centuries. Below is the 2025 lineup, with each day’s spiritual theme and typical activities:
- Saturday, 18 October – Dhanteras: Honouring Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, and the goddess Lakshmi. People buy gold, silver, or new kitchenware as a sign of prosperity.
- Sunday, 19 October – Choti Diwali (Small Diwali): Homes are cleaned, rangoli patterns are drawn, and oil lamps are placed at thresholds.
- Monday, 20 October – Main Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (as per Times of India and the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas schedule): The auspicious muhurat runs from 7:08 PM to 8:18 PM IST. Fireworks light the night sky and families gather for a lavish feast.
- Wednesday, 22 October – Govardhan Puja: Devotees reenact Lord Krishna’s lifting of Govardhan Hill, constructing a symbolic mound of cow‑dung.
- Thursday, 23 October – Bhai Dooj: Sisters perform a Tika ceremony for their brothers, praying for their welfare.
If you follow CalendarDate.com, the main Lakshmi Puja shifts to Tuesday, 21 October, but the surrounding days stay the same. In practice, many Indian cities light up on the evening of the 20th regardless, because households begin the celebrations at sunset.
Regional Variations and the Amavasya Tithi
The crux of the disagreement stems from how the Amavasya is interpreted. In New Delhi, astrologers from Drik Panchang calculate the tithi based on the lunar longitude at 0° longitude, which places the new moon just after sunset on the 20th. Hence, the muhurat falls on the 21st for them. Conversely, the northern state of Uttar Pradesh follows the traditional rule that if the Amavasya is visible at any point after sunset, the day is counted as Diwali, thereby anchoring the festival on the 20th.
Historian Dr. Meera Patel of the University of Delhi explains, “These regional calculations date back to medieval court astronomers. The split we see in 2025 mirrors a centuries‑old dialogue between astronomical precision and ritual practice.”
Celebrations in North Texas: Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, operated by JKYog
The temple, perched at 10455 Chapel Hill Road in Farmers Branch, has become the epicenter of Diwali festivities for the greater Dallas area. Last year the Mela drew 4,738 attendees, according to a post‑event report, and organizers anticipate a similar crowd for 2025.
“Our community looks forward to the Lakshmi Puja muhurat every year,” says Swami Nityananda, chief priest at the temple. “We follow the date that aligns with the lunar calculations used by most Indian families in North America—Monday, 20 October. The evening prayers begin at 7:30 PM CST, which corresponds to 7:08 PM IST, the same window announced by the temple’s website.”
The Diwali Mela will feature a cultural showcase, stalls selling traditional sweets such as jalebi and peda, and a fireworks display that complies with local regulations. For many first‑generation Indian Americans, the event is a bridge between their heritage and their American lives.
What This Means for Communities Worldwide
Beyond the ritual, the date split has practical implications. Schools in India often declare a public holiday on the main day; a one‑day shift can affect exam schedules for thousands of students. Airlines report a spike in bookings for flights to major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru during the Diwali week—2024 saw a 12 % increase compared with the previous year, according to industry data from the International Air Transport Association.
Retailers also plan massive sales around the festival. E‑commerce giant Flipkart scheduled its “Diwali Dhamaka” campaign to launch on 20 October, capitalising on the expected surge in online shopping for gifts, electronics, and clothing. If the official holiday slides to the 21st for some states, the sales window may need a brief extension, something marketers are already flagging in internal memos.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
Experts say the 2025 discrepancy is a reminder that the Hindu calendar is a living system, constantly refined as astronomers improve lunar calculations. Times of India has pledged to collaborate with leading astrologers to produce a unified national calendar by 2026, hoping to curb future date confusion.
Meanwhile, diaspora temples like the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas will likely continue to follow the traditional regional practice they’ve long embraced, ensuring that even if the official government notice shifts, local celebrations stay rooted in community preference.
Key Facts
- Primary date debate: 20 Oct (Times of India, many temples) vs 21 Oct (CalendarDate.com, some state calendars).
- Auspicious muhurat: 7:08 PM–8:18 PM IST on 20 Oct (per Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas).
- Five‑day lineup: Dhanteras (18 Oct), Choti Diwali (19 Oct), Main Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (20/21 Oct), Govardhan Puja (22 Oct), Bhai Dooj (23 Oct).
- Attendance forecast: Over 4,500 visitors expected at the Dallas Mela.
- Economic impact: Retail sales up to 15 % during Diwali week, airline bookings rise 12 %.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some sources list Diwali 2025 on October 20 while others say October 21?
The discrepancy stems from two ways of interpreting the Amavasya tithi. One method counts the day when the new moon is visible after sunset (October 20), while the other counts the following calendar day (October 21) if the moon remains dark into the night. Regional traditions and differing astronomical tables lead to the split.
Which date will schools in India observe as the public holiday?
Most states, especially in the north, have declared Monday, October 20, as the official holiday. A handful of southern states follow the calendar that marks Tuesday, October 21. Parents should check their local education board for the exact date.
What time should devotees perform the Lakshmi Puja in Dallas?
The Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas has scheduled the puja muhurat from 7:30 PM to 8:40 PM Central Standard Time on Monday, October 20. This aligns with the 7:08 PM–8:18 PM IST window.
How does the date shift affect commercial sales during Diwali?
Retailers time major discounts to the main celebration day. A one‑day difference can compress the sales window, prompting some brands to start promotions a day earlier or extend them by 24 hours to capture consumer spending.
Will the date disagreement continue in future years?
Unless a unified Panchang is adopted nationwide, regional variations will persist. The government’s plan to align calendars by 2026 may reduce confusion, but cultural preferences often outweigh official decrees.
