Festivals
Diwali
The festival of lights, centered on the new-moon night (Amavasya) of the lunar month of Kartik.
- Basis
- Lunar (Kartik Amavasya)
- Typical window
- Mid-October to mid-November
Diwali is anchored to Amavasya (the new moon) in the lunar month of Kartik — the darkest night of that month, traditionally lit with diyas and lamps to mark the symbolic triumph of light over darkness.
The five-day observance typically includes Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, the main Lakshmi Puja night itself, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj — each tied to a specific tithi around the central Amavasya.