Diwali 2012 Date — Tuesday, November 13, 2012
When is Diwali in 2012? Diwali 2012 falls on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.
Observance: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Diwali 2012 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Mon, 12 November 2012 | Buy metal, light the first lamp |
| Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) | Tue, 13 November 2012 | |
| Diwali — Lakshmi Puja | Tue, 13 November 2012 | Main day |
| Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Wed, 14 November 2012 | |
| Bhai Dooj | Thu, 15 November 2012 |
About Diwali
Diwali (Deepavali) is the festival of lights marking the return of Rama to Ayodhya in many traditions, and Lakshmi Puja for prosperity in others. Homes are cleaned, oil lamps and LEDs are lit, and families gather for evening Lakshmi–Ganesha worship. Regional calendars place the main Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya in the month of Kartika.
How to observe
Clean and decorate the home, set a Lakshmi–Ganesha altar, light diyas at dusk, offer sweets and fruits, and perform aarti. Many businesses begin new account books on Diwali. Confirm the exact Lakshmi Puja muhurta for your city — related observances fall on nearby days on the Kartika calendar.
Why we celebrate
Return of Rama to Ayodhya; worship of Lakshmi-Ganesha for prosperity and removal of Alakshmi. New year in many business communities.
How it is celebrated
Diyas, rangoli, Lakshmi puja, fireworks, family gatherings, annakut in temples.
Puja timing
Lakshmi puja during Pradosh kaal of Amavasya (after sunset, fixed muhurta varies by city).
Foods & offerings
Sweets (ladoo, barfi), savory snacks, annakut bhog; vegetarian feast.
Rituals
- Clean home; draw rangoli and light diyas.
- Lakshmi-Ganesha puja with coins, account books.
- Aarti and distribute prasad.
- Exchange gifts; light lamps at entrance.
Diwali dates by year
| Year | Date & day |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Wed, 26 October 2011 |
| 2012 | Tue, 13 November 2012 |
| 2013 | Sun, 3 November 2013 |
| 2014 | Thu, 23 October 2014 |
| 2015 | Wed, 11 November 2015 |
Hindu festivals around Diwali 2012
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2012 date — Tue, 13 November 2012
- Dhanteras 2012 date — Mon, 12 November 2012
- Govardhan Puja 2012 date — Wed, 14 November 2012
- Bhai Dooj 2012 date — Thu, 15 November 2012
- Chhath Puja 2012 date — Mon, 19 November 2012
- Skanda Sashti 2012 date — Mon, 19 November 2012
- Karva Chauth 2012 date — Sat, 3 November 2012
- Tulsi Vivah 2012 date — Sun, 25 November 2012
- Sharad Purnima 2012 date — Mon, 29 October 2012
- Kartik Purnima 2012 date — Wed, 28 November 2012
- Dussehra 2012 date — Wed, 24 October 2012
- Durga Puja 2012 date — Mon, 22 October 2012
