Diwali 2018 Date — Wednesday, November 7, 2018
When is Diwali in 2018? Diwali 2018 falls on Wednesday, November 7, 2018.
Observance: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Diwali 2018 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Mon, 5 November 2018 | Buy metal, light the first lamp |
| Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) | Tue, 6 November 2018 | |
| Diwali — Lakshmi Puja | Wed, 7 November 2018 | Main day |
| Govardhan Puja / Annakut | Thu, 8 November 2018 | |
| Bhai Dooj | Fri, 9 November 2018 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Thu, 19 October 2017 |
| 2018 | Wed, 7 November 2018 |
| 2019 | Mon, 28 October 2019 |
| 2020 | Sun, 15 November 2020 |
| 2021 | Thu, 4 November 2021 |
Hindu festivals around Diwali 2018
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2018 date — Tue, 6 November 2018
- Govardhan Puja 2018 date — Thu, 8 November 2018
- Dhanteras 2018 date — Mon, 5 November 2018
- Bhai Dooj 2018 date — Fri, 9 November 2018
- Chhath Puja 2018 date — Tue, 13 November 2018
- Skanda Sashti 2018 date — Tue, 13 November 2018
- Karva Chauth 2018 date — Sun, 28 October 2018
- Tulsi Vivah 2018 date — Tue, 20 November 2018
- Sharad Purnima 2018 date — Wed, 24 October 2018
- Kartik Purnima 2018 date — Fri, 23 November 2018
- Dussehra 2018 date — Fri, 19 October 2018
- Durga Puja 2018 date — Wed, 17 October 2018
