Diwali 2016 Date — Sunday, October 30, 2016
When is Diwali in 2016? Diwali 2016 falls on Sunday, October 30, 2016.
Observance: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Diwali 2016 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Fri, 28 October 2016 | Buy metal, light the first lamp |
| Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) | Sat, 29 October 2016 | |
| Diwali — Lakshmi Puja | Sun, 30 October 2016 | Main day |
| Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Mon, 31 October 2016 | |
| Bhai Dooj | Tue, 1 November 2016 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Wed, 11 November 2015 |
| 2016 | Sun, 30 October 2016 |
| 2017 | Thu, 19 October 2017 |
| 2018 | Wed, 7 November 2018 |
| 2019 | Mon, 28 October 2019 |
Hindu festivals around Diwali 2016
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2016 date — Sat, 29 October 2016
- Govardhan Puja 2016 date — Mon, 31 October 2016
- Dhanteras 2016 date — Fri, 28 October 2016
- Bhai Dooj 2016 date — Tue, 1 November 2016
- Chhath Puja 2016 date — Sun, 6 November 2016
- Skanda Sashti 2016 date — Sun, 6 November 2016
- Karva Chauth 2016 date — Wed, 19 October 2016
- Tulsi Vivah 2016 date — Fri, 11 November 2016
- Sharad Purnima 2016 date — Sun, 16 October 2016
- Kartik Purnima 2016 date — Mon, 14 November 2016
- Dussehra 2016 date — Tue, 11 October 2016
- Durga Puja 2016 date — Sun, 9 October 2016
