Seven Days of Diwali in India, it's Rituals, Names and Customs

When you think of Diwali, the first image that comes to mind is often shimmering diyas, vibrant rangolis and the sweet aroma of freshly made laddoos. But what is Diwali beyond lights and sweets? It’s more than a festival of light, it’s a celebration of renewal, gratitude and cultural unity.

What is Diwali, Beyond Lights and Sweets

The Diwali festival's significance lies in its deep symbolism. Each ritual, from cleaning homes to lighting lamps, represents the win of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Across India, this time marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new financial year. It’s a festival when families come together to worship, reflect and strengthen their bonds. Understanding the Diwali meaning and significance requires looking at its many layers. Spiritually, it’s about self-purification and victory of good over evil, whereas socially, it’s about unity and generosity and emotionally, it’s a reminder to start afresh, to forgive, reconnect and celebrate togetherness.

The Seven Auspicious Days of Diwali

The seven days of Diwali unfold as a journey, each day holding unique spiritual and cultural importance. Let’s explore the seven days of Diwali names and how differently Diwali is celebrated in India.

Day 1: Vasubaras or Govatsa Dwadashi

The festival begins with Vasubaras or Govatsa Dwadashi rituals, which is celebrated mainly in Maharashtra and parts of North India. On this day, cows and calves the symbols of nourishment and motherhood are worshipped. Women perform pujas to seek blessings for family well-being and prosperity.

This day highlights gratitude towards nature and animals, reinforcing the Diwali cultural significance explained through acts of reverence and compassion.

Day 2: Dhanteras or Dhanvantari Trayodashi

The second day, Dhanteras or Dhanvantari Trayodashi marks the start of Diwali shopping. It’s considered auspicious to buy gold, silver or new utensils. The Dhanteras rituals and significance revolve around Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari, representing wealth and health respectively. The day is celebrated by worshipping Lord Kubera, the God of wealth and Goddess Lakshmi.

Homes are decorated with lamps and rangolis as families prepare for the main festivities ahead. In many places, people perform Diwali puja rituals to invite prosperity into their homes.

Day 3: Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali

The third day, Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as Chhoti Diwali in several states. It commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolising the destruction of evil. The Naraka Chaturdashi customs involve early morning oil baths, lighting diyas and preparing festive sweets.

People believe that by waking up before sunrise and bathing with scented oils known as Abhyang Snan helps one can purify their body and soul.

Day 4: Lakshmi Puja or Diwali

This is the most anticipated day, the main day of seven-day festivities of Diwali celebration. Homes glow with lamps and families gather for the Lakshmi Puja, honouring the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

A simple Lakshmi Puja guide includes lighting diyas in every corner of the house, performing aarti and offering sweets and flowers to friends and family. People also use a digital Lakshmi Puja checklist and online aarti playlist these days to ensure they don’t miss any step in the rituals. The Lakshmi Puja guide suggests performing the puja during the Pradosh Kaal, which starts after sunset and lasts for approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. The Vrishabha Lagna, a fixed (Sthir) Lagna, is considered most auspicious during this time.

Being Amavasya day, the night sky dazzles with fireworks, lanes lite up with decorative lights and diyas. Firecrackers are the main attraction of the festivity and green crackers are preferred to celebrate responsibly, ensuring an eco-friendly Diwali.

Day 5: Govardhan Puja or Annakut

The fifth day marks Govardhan Puja, that falls on the next day of Diwali Puja. his day is celebrated in honour of Lord Krishna, who lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rains. This day is also known as Annakut, devotees prepare a grand feast and offer varieties of food to the deity.

In North India, this day is also seen as a celebration of gratitude to nature and food abundance as a crucial element in Diwali celebrations in India. In Gujarat and western India, this day coincides with the Gujarati New Year. Business owners open new ledgers and pray for success and good fortune in the coming year.

Day 6: Diwali Padwa or Balipratipada

The sixth day of Diwali, known as Diwali Padwa or Balipratipada, beautifully blends mythology, renewal and relationships. This period marks the celebration of new beginnings, prosperity and devotion.

It marks the return of King Bali to Earth, representing the victory of devotion and righteousness. In several parts of India mainly Maharashtra, Diwali Padwa symbolises the bond between husband and wife, couples celebrate this day by exchanging gifts.

Day 7: Bhai Dooj

The final day of the festivities is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. The Bhai Dooj traditions are reminiscent of Raksha Bandhan but differ slightly in rituals. Sisters apply tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life, while brothers give gifts in return.

This heartfelt celebration concludes the seven days of Diwali, reminding everyone of the essence of family love, protection and unity.

Across States – Name Variations, Customs and Traditions

India’s cultural richness means Diwali customs across India vary beautifully from region to region, each reflecting local traditions, deities and beliefs.

Maharashtra: Diwali traditions in Maharashtra span all seven days, starting from Vasubaras to Bhai Dooj. Special dishes like Anarsa and Karanji are prepared, and homes are decorated with clay lamps and rangolis.

Gujarat: The celebration begins with Dhanteras rituals and significance and business owners perform Chopda Pujan, the ritual of inaugurating new account books. Diwali traditions in Gujarat reflect prosperity and faith in Goddess Lakshmi.

South India: Diwali traditions in Tamil Nadu revolve around Naraka Chaturdashi customs, celebrated with oil baths, sweets like Adhirasam and lighting lamps to symbolise the victory of good over evil.

West Bengal: Diwali coincides with Kali Puja, also called Lakshmi Puja in Bengal, where devotees worship Goddess Kali, the fierce embodiment of power and protection. Homes are illuminated.

These diverse celebrations across states illustrate the Diwali cultural significance explained through local beliefs, showing that while customs differ, the essence of light, love and renewal remains the same.

Tips for Celebrating Seven Days Festivities in Modern Homes

In today’s fast-paced world, many seek modern Diwali celebration ideas that combine tradition with contemporary living. One doesn’t need to compromise on culture it’s about blending heritage with simplicity.

Here are a few ways on how to celebrate seven days of Diwali in modern homes:

1. Eco-Friendly Diwali Tips: Use earthen diyas, natural colours for rangoli and follow green crackers guidelines to reduce pollution.

2. Minimalist Diwali Decor Ideas: Decorate with handmade lanterns, recycled materials or fresh flowers. Focus on aesthetics that bring warmth without excess.

3. Digital Puja Practices: Use a digital Lakshmi Puja checklist or online reminders to keep your rituals organised while managing your busy schedule.

4. Ancestry Storytelling for Diwali Rituals: During family gatherings, share stories of your ancestors, how they celebrated Diwali customs in their time, what traditions they followed, or the significance of certain rituals. How the festivities take place across India. Document these stories on your iMeUsWe account and preserve your family’s heritage for generations. By connecting your past with your present, you create a living legacy, making each diya you light not just a symbol of hope, but also of remembrance.

5. Diwali Gifting Traditions and Ideas: Move beyond material gifts. Share personalised items that celebrate relationships, family portraits, handwritten letters or even digital family trees that trace your lineage.

6. Diwali Home Decoration Ideas: Combine traditional elements like diyas and torans with sustainable design choices. Reuse last year’s décor creatively for a more meaningful celebration.

7. Consulting Astrologer for Muhurat: Each festival has it’s perfect timing for Puja, the Panchang always comes handy while checking the muhurat, howerver consulting the astrologers can help in getting the perfect time for your celebrations. Consulting with astrologers becomes even affordable and hassle-free with the iMeUsWe festive discount.

Embracing such modern Diwali celebration ideas ensures that your festivities remain relevant while still rooted in age-old customs.

Conclusion

Diwali is more than just a festival, it’s an experience, a reflection of values that unite India across languages and generations. When you understand what Diwali is beyond lights and sweets, you realise it’s a story of human connection, gratitude and hope.

Whether you’re celebrating Diwali traditions in Maharashtra, celebrating Kali Puja in Bengal or Lakshmi Puja in other parts of the country, the spirit remains universal.

As Diwali 2025 dates and muhurat approach, let your celebration not just illuminate your home, but also your heart. Continue to celebrate Diwali the traditional way to never let your family roots disappear, making your festival both meaningful and sustainable. After all, the true Diwali meaning and significance lies not in how brightly the lamps glow, but in how deeply their light touches our lives.