Diwali
Diwali Calendar

Diwali Calendar 2010

The Diwali festival calendar — the five days of Deepavali, from Dhanteras and Naraka Chaturdashi through Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, with the tithi for each day.

Diwali 2010 lists 11 dates, beginning with Vasubaras / Vagh Baras (Govatsa Dwadashi) on 3 November.

November 2010

  • Vasubaras / Vagh Baras (Govatsa Dwadashi)

    Wednesday, 3 November 2010 Krishna Dwadashi

    Tithi 9:59 PM, Nov 2 7:00 PM, Nov 3

    The first day of Diwali, when cows and their calves are worshipped in gratitude for their nourishment — kept as Vasubaras in Maharashtra and Vagh Baras in Gujarat, where traders close the old account books.

  • Dhanteras

    Wednesday, 3 November 2010 Krishna Dwadashi

    Tithi 9:59 PM, Nov 2 7:00 PM, Nov 3

    The first day of Diwali — gold, silver and new utensils are bought to invite prosperity.

  • Bhoot Chaturdashi

    Thursday, 4 November 2010 Krishna Trayodashi

    Tithi 6:59 PM, Nov 3 3:57 PM, Nov 4

    On the eve of Kali Puja, fourteen lamps are lit and fourteen leafy greens eaten to honour ancestors and ward off evil spirits.

  • Kali Chaudas

    Thursday, 4 November 2010 Krishna Trayodashi

    Tithi 6:59 PM, Nov 3 3:57 PM, Nov 4

    The night before Diwali's Amavasya, Goddess Kali is worshipped to destroy negativity; sleep and laziness (alasya) are symbolically driven from the home.

  • Narak Chaturdashi (Abhyang Snan)

    Friday, 5 November 2010 Krishna Chaturdashi

    Tithi 3:55 PM, Nov 4 1:01 PM, Nov 5

    Krishna's slaying of the demon Narakasura is marked with a pre-dawn ceremonial oil bath (abhyang snan, kept by Sindhis as Roop Chaudas) before the lamps of Diwali.

  • Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)

    Friday, 5 November 2010 Krishna Chaturdashi

    Tithi 3:55 PM, Nov 4 1:01 PM, Nov 5

    The festival of lights — homes glow with diyas and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for wealth; Sindhis keep it as Diyari.

  • Kali Puja

    Friday, 5 November 2010 Krishna Chaturdashi

    Tithi 3:55 PM, Nov 4 1:01 PM, Nov 5

    On Diwali's new-moon night, Goddess Kali is worshipped through the night across Bengal.

  • Govardhan Puja / Annakut

    Saturday, 6 November 2010 Krishna Amavasya

    Tithi 12:55 PM, Nov 5 10:21 AM, Nov 6

    Krishna lifting Govardhan hill is remembered with mountains of food offered to the deity.

  • Bali Pratipada (Diwali Padwa / Bestu Varas)

    Saturday, 6 November 2010 Krishna Amavasya

    Tithi 12:55 PM, Nov 5 10:21 AM, Nov 6

    The Diwali Padwa honouring King Bali's return; wives perform aukshan (aarti) for their husbands and new account books and ventures are begun. In Gujarat this is Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year.

  • Bhai Dooj / Bhau Beej

    Sunday, 7 November 2010 Shukla Pratipada

    Tithi 10:08 AM, Nov 6 8:06 AM, Nov 7

    Sisters apply a tilak and pray for their brothers' well-being, closing the Diwali festival.

  • Labh Pancham

    Wednesday, 10 November 2010 Shukla Panchami

    Tithi 5:12 AM, Nov 10 5:25 AM, Nov 11

    The fifth day after Diwali (Kartik Shukla Panchami) — the auspicious day Gujarati traders reopen their shops and account books, praying to Lakshmi and Ganesha for profit (labh) in the new year.

Tithi start and end times are shown in your local time. Festival dates follow the standard Indian (sunrise) calendar and may vary by a day in other regions, and may differ slightly from regional almanacs (especially around an Adhik Maas).

About the Diwali Calendar

The Diwali festival calendar — the five days of Deepavali, from Dhanteras and Naraka Chaturdashi through Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, with the tithi for each day.

Each entry lists the festival or vrat with its date, the prevailing tithi, and a short note on the observance. Dates are shown for the current and the coming year.