Diwali is the last day of the Gujarati year, the new moon of Aso. For a trading people its centre is Chopda Pujan: in the evening merchants worship their new account books with Lakshmi, Ganesh and Saraswati, write "Shubh" and "Labh" on the first page, and close the old ones. It sits in a run of five days, from Vagh Baras to Bhai Bij, with rangoli at every door and a tin of homemade snacks for every caller.
The story
The days are Vagh Baras, when accounts are cleared; Dhanteras, for wealth; Kali Chaudas, when vada are left at the crossroads to carry off quarrels; Diwali; and then the new year. Lamps are lit for Rama's return and for Lakshmi.
Mahavira, the last Tirthankara, attained nirvana on this night, and Gujarat's Jains keep it with a fast and the lighting of lamps.
શુભ લાભ
Auspiciousness, and gain
Written on the first page of the new ledger and beside every door
The days of Diwali
- RangoliDrawn fresh each day in coloured powder at the threshold.
- Chopda PujanThe worship of the account books, also called Sharda Pujan.
- Lakshmi PujanAt dusk, with lamps in every window.
- NastoMathiya, chorafali, ghughra, suvali, chevdo and sev, made in the week before.
- FireworksThrough the night.
Why this date
Diwali is the Amavasya of Aso, on the day the new-moon tithi covers the hours after sunset. The Gujarati Vikram year ends with it.
Diwali in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Gujarati festivals
30 OctoberBestu Varasબેસતું વર્ષ
18 OctoberKarva Chauthકરવા ચોથ
14 NovemberDev Diwaliદેવ દિવાળી
9 OctoberDussehraદશેરા
8 OctoberNavratri Nomનોમ · મહા નવમી
7 OctoberNavratri and Athamનવરાત્રી · આઠમ
Where to see Diwali
In Gujarat
- Manek Chowk, AhmedabadGujaratThe old market, where traders perform Chopda Pujan in their shops.
- Akshardham, GandhinagarGujaratLit with ten thousand lamps for the festival.
- PalitanaGujaratThe Jain hill city, where Mahavira's nirvana is remembered.
- SuratGujaratThe diamond city closes for three weeks, and its workers go home.
Across India
- AyodhyaUttar PradeshLamps along the Sarayu for Rama's return.
- MumbaiMaharashtraMuhurat trading: the stock exchange opens for one auspicious hour.
- PawapuriBiharWhere Mahavira attained nirvana.