How Different States of India Celebrate Diwali 2025: From Bengal’s Kali Puja to South India’s Naraka Chaturdashi and Beyond

Oct 13, 2025

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Diwali, often called the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated and unifying festivals in India — yet its meaning, rituals, and legends vary widely across the country. While Northern India celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, Bengal observes Kali Puja, and South India honors Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. This regional diversity gives Diwali its vibrant cultural depth, turning a single festival into a mosaic of faith, food, lights, and legends.

Diwali 2025 falls on Monday, October 20, and celebrations will span five days, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj. Let’s explore how each region adds its unique flavor to India’s most luminous festival.

The Five Days of Diwali 2025 – Common Framework

Day	Date (2025)	Major Celebration	Significance
Day 1	October 18 (Saturday)	Dhanteras	Welcoming prosperity and buying gold/silver
Day 2	October 19 (Sunday)	Naraka Chaturdashi	Cleansing rituals and triumph over evil
Day 3	October 20 (Monday)	Lakshmi Puja / Kali Puja	Main Diwali night, worship of Goddess Lakshmi or Kali
Day 4	October 21 (Tuesday)	Govardhan Puja / Annakut	Celebration of nature’s bounty
Day 5	October 22 (Wednesday)	Bhai Dooj	Bond between brothers and sisters

North India – The Homecoming of Lord Rama

In Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.

Ayodhya Deepotsav: The grandest spectacle of 2025 will once again be in Ayodhya, where millions of diyas will illuminate the banks of the Sarayu River, aiming to set another world record for lighting over 22 lakh lamps.
Customs: Houses are cleaned and decorated with rangoli, marigold garlands, and earthen lamps.
Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is the highlight of the evening, followed by fireworks and family feasts.
Sweets like kaju katli, gulab jamun, and soan papdi dominate festive platters.

Fun Fact: Ayodhya’s Deepotsav has been recognized by Guinness World Records multiple times for its massive diya-lighting events.

West India – Prosperity, Business, and Tradition

Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan celebrate Diwali as the beginning of the new financial year.

Gujarat: Diwali coincides with Labh Pancham and Chopda Pujan, where traders perform rituals to start new account books, invoking Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings.
Maharashtra: The festival starts with Vasu Baras and extends till Bali Pratipada, marking Lord Vishnu’s victory over King Bali. Families exchange farsan (snacks like chakli, karanji, and ladoos).
Rajasthan: Homes and havelis are lit beautifully, and women create intricate mandanas (floor designs) using rice paste and natural colors.

Region	Key Ritual	Main Sweet/Dish	Cultural Highlight
Gujarat	Chopda Pujan	Mohanthal	New accounting year
Maharashtra	Vasu Baras, Bali Pratipada	Karanji, Chakli	Five-day family rituals
Rajasthan	Mandana art	Ghewar	Traditional folk songs and lights

Eastern India – Kali Puja and Shyama Worship

In West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, Diwali transforms into Kali Puja, where the fierce goddess is revered for destroying evil and granting strength.

West Bengal: Kali Puja is performed at midnight on Amavasya (new moon). Homes and pandals are decorated with oil lamps and red hibiscus flowers. Offerings include rice, lentils, fish, sweets, and liquor, believed to please Goddess Kali.
Odisha: Ancestors are remembered through Badabadua Daka, where people light jute-stem torches and chant prayers for departed souls.
Assam: Clay lamps light up homes, and traditional sweets like pitha and ladoo are distributed.

Did You Know? Kolkata’s Kali Puja pandals rival Durga Puja in creativity, showcasing elaborate goddess idols and artistic lighting.

South India – Naraka Chaturdashi and Victory of Light

In the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, Diwali is celebrated primarily on Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before the North Indian Diwali.

Tamil Nadu: The day begins early, with oil baths before sunrise, symbolizing purification from sins. People wear new clothes, burst firecrackers, and prepare sweets like Adhirasam and Mysore Pak.
Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Diwali marks the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura, symbolizing the defeat of arrogance and darkness.
Karnataka: Houses are decorated with lamps and flowers; people honor Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi together.
Kerala: Although Onam is the major festival, Diwali is quietly observed with lamps and sweets among select Hindu families.

State	Main Deity	Key Ritual	Traditional Food
Tamil Nadu	Lord Krishna	Oil bath, firecrackers	Adhirasam, Murukku
Andhra Pradesh	Krishna & Satyabhama	Narakasura Dahanam	Boorelu
Karnataka	Vishnu & Lakshmi	House cleaning, diyas	Holige
Kerala	Lakshmi	Lighting lamps	Payasam

Central India – Devotion and Folk Culture

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh celebrate Diwali with a blend of tribal traditions and mainstream Hindu rituals.
Villages organize folk dances, local fairs, and diya-making competitions. In cities like Indore and Bhopal, people decorate homes with colorful rangolis and worship Lakshmi and Kubera together for wealth and prosperity.

North-East India – Spiritual Simplicity

In the Northeast, Diwali is celebrated mainly in Tripura and Assam, where Bengali influences are strong.
Temples glow with candles, and devotees offer prayers to Goddess Kali. In Manipur, Diwali merges with local harvest traditions, focusing on gratitude and community bonding.

Unity in Diversity: The Spirit of Diwali

Despite regional variations, the core essence of Diwali remains universal — the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. From the firecracker-filled nights of Delhi to the serene lamps of Madurai and the powerful chants of Kali Puja in Kolkata, Diwali connects millions of Indians under the shared belief of renewal, prosperity, and peace.

Region	Type of Celebration	Key Element
North India	Return of Lord Rama	Deepotsav & fireworks
South India	Naraka Chaturdashi	Early morning oil bath
East India	Kali Puja	Midnight worship
West India	Lakshmi Pujan	Business and wealth rituals
Central India	Tribal & folk Diwali	Cultural fairs
North-East	Simplicity & prayers	Lamps & gratitude

Conclusion

Diwali 2025 will once again showcase the incredible cultural tapestry of India, where every region brings its own melody to the festival of lights. Whether you’re worshipping Goddess Kali in Bengal, celebrating Naraka Chaturdashi in Tamil Nadu, or lighting millions of diyas in Ayodhya, each form of Diwali reflects India’s timeless spirit — diverse yet united, traditional yet evolving.

Disclaimer

This article is based on traditional and regional practices observed across India. Rituals, dates, and timings may vary according to local customs and astrological calculations. Readers are encouraged to consult regional calendars for specific puja timings.

About the author

I’m Himanshu Dhar, a dedicated MIS trainer proudly associated with I Turn Institute. My journey in the realm of data management and automation spans over 14 enriching years. My passion for this field extends to freelancing projects, where I bring real-world practicality into my teaching. My impact in education is marked by the success of over 25,000 students I’ve had the privilege of mentoring, hailing from diverse backgrounds. Beyond the classroom, I’ve had the honor of conducting corporate training sessions and seminars, catering to the unique needs of businesses. Let’s unlock your potential together in the realm of data analysis and automation.