Deepavali— “a row of lamps”, also called Diwali — is the festival of lights kept around the new moon of Kartika. Across its five days it celebrates the victory of light over darkness and of knowledge over ignorance: homes are cleaned and lit, Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped, and rows of diyas glow at every threshold. It is among the most widely loved festivals of the Sanatana tradition, kept in many forms across many regions.
The five days of Deepavali
The celebration unfolds over five days, from Dhanteras in the dark fortnight of Kartika to Bhai Dooj in the bright fortnight that follows — each day with its own remembrance, devotion and joy.
Day 1Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi)
Falling on Kartika Krishna Trayodashi, this day honours Dhanvantari — the divine physician who arose from the churning of the ocean bearing the pot of amrita — and is marked as a day of health and well-being. It is also a day to welcome prosperity into the home, traditionally by acquiring something new, lighting the first lamps, and cleaning and adorning the house.
Day 2Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali)
On Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi the tradition recalls Krishna’s slaying of the demon Narakasura and the freeing of those he had captured. Many rise before dawn for the abhyanga snana — a ceremonial oil bath — symbolising the washing away of impurity, before lamps are lit and the day’s festivities begin.
Day 3Lakshmi Puja (Kartika Amavasya)
The principal night of Deepavali, on the new moon (amavasya) of Kartika. Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of prosperity and grace, is worshipped together with Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Homes are cleaned and brightened, rangoli is drawn at the threshold, and rows of diyas are lit to welcome the Goddess — the rows of lamps from which the festival, deepa-avali, takes its name.
Day 4Govardhan Puja / Annakut · Bali Pratipada
On the first day of the bright fortnight, the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Krishna to shelter the people of Vraja is remembered, and a great mound of food (annakut, “mountain of food”) is offered in gratitude. In many regions the same day is Bali Pratipada, recalling the noble king Bali and the Vamana avatara of Vishnu.
Day 5Bhai Dooj (Yama Dvitiya)
The festival closes on the bond between siblings. Sisters welcome their brothers, apply a tilak, and pray for their long life and well-being, while brothers offer their love and protection in return — a day, by tradition, blessed by Yama and his sister Yami.
The legends, region by region
Deepavali gathers many stories under one shared light. Different regions and traditions remember different victories — yet each is, in its own way, the triumph of light over darkness.
Rama’s return to Ayodhya — the north
Across much of the north, Deepavali marks the homecoming of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and the defeat of Ravana. The people of Ayodhya are said to have lit rows of lamps to welcome their king home — the light that the festival keeps to this day.
Krishna and Narakasura — the south
In the south the emphasis falls on Naraka Chaturdashi: Krishna, with Satyabhama, slays the demon Narakasura and releases the many he had imprisoned. The victory of light over a tyrant’s darkness is the heart of the celebration here.
Lakshmi’s emergence — the Samudra Manthan
A further strand recalls the churning of the ocean of milk (Samudra Manthan), from which Goddess Lakshmi arose. Her worship on the new-moon night of Kartika links the festival of lamps to the welcoming of prosperity, auspiciousness and grace.
Mahavira’s nirvana — the Jain tradition
For the Jain community, Deepavali commemorates the attainment of nirvana (moksha) by Bhagavan Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara. Lamps are lit to honour the light of his liberation and his teaching.
A simple Lakshmi puja outline
The Lakshmi Puja on Kartika Amavasya is the heart of Deepavali. The shape below is a gentle, common outline — an account of how the puja is often kept, not a rule. Customs vary by family and tradition, and a priest or elder can guide the details.
1Clean the home thoroughly and set the puja space in order — the welcoming of Lakshmi begins with a clean, settled household.
2Draw a rangoli at the entrance and in the puja area, and place rows of diyas (oil lamps) at the threshold, windows and around the home.
3Set a kalasha (sacred pot) and arrange the images or murtis of Lakshmi and Ganesha together, with Ganesha worshipped first as the remover of obstacles.
4Offer the traditional upacharas — a lamp, incense, flowers, kumkum and turmeric, and fresh water — with a calm and grateful mind.
5Place the naivedya (food offering) — sweets and fruit — before the deities, and recite or listen to the Lakshmi stuti, aarti or the names of the Goddess.
6Conclude with the aarti, share the prasada among family, and keep the lamps burning through the evening as a welcome to the Goddess.
Educational overview. Names, days and customs vary by region, tradition and family; the dates follow the lunar calendar and shift each year. Consult your local panchanga and family elders for observance.