Diwali 2025: Festival of Lights, Rituals, Pollution, and Calls for National Holiday

India is shimmering during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and the biggest public holiday in the world’s most populous country.

Diwali, celebrated by millions across India and the diaspora, is an exuberant festival of lights symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Taking place over several days in October or November, it features colorful rituals, sweets, prayer ceremonies, and vibrant community celebrations. In 2025, Diwali falls on October 20–21 and coincides with various public holidays, financial sector closures, and cultural observances across India.

• Diwali is a multi-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and others, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, with roots in ancient epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Celebrations involve lighting oil lamps (diyas), fireworks, family feasts, prayer rituals honoring deities like Lakshmi and Ganesh, and exchanging sweets such as laddoos and kheel.
• Despite bans, firecrackers contribute significantly to severe air pollution in urban centers like New Delhi during Diwali, reaching hazardous air quality levels even with green firework regulations.
• Several Indian states observe bank holidays during Diwali week, affecting in-person banking but with continued access to online services, ATMs, and mobile apps.
• There is growing discourse about establishing a formal, week-long national Diwali holiday in India to allow nationwide breaks similar to those seen during major Western and Asian festivals, which could benefit social well-being and economic activity.

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Introduction to Diwali: The festival of lights

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, derives its name from the Sanskrit term meaning "row of lights." It is the most significant and widely celebrated festival in India, signifying the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Marking an auspicious new moon night in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, Diwali is observed not only throughout India but also in South Asia and among Indian communities worldwide. The festival is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, especially the narratives of Lord Rama’s return from exile as described in the Ramayana in North India, and the god Krishna defeating a demon king as recounted in the Mahabharata in South India.

Rituals, sweets, and the spirit of Diwali

During Diwali, homes and public spaces are decorated with clay lamps (diyas), candles, and colorful rangoli patterns. Families perform pujas — prayer ceremonies — to honor deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity; Ganesh, the remover of obstacles; and Kali, the fierce goddess who destroys evil. These rituals include offerings of incense, flowers, and traditional sweets like laddoos (hand-rolled flour and sugar balls) and kheel (sweetened puffed rice). Modern additions include chocolates, while gifts and family feasts are integral to the celebration.

Firecrackers and fireworks are widely used across India to mark the festival, contributing to the sensory vibrancy but also causing significant air pollution. In 2025, the Supreme Court in New Delhi permitted limited use of “green firecrackers” engineered to reduce harmful emissions by around 30%, though pollution levels still reached hazardous peaks during Diwali festivities.

Record-breaking celebrations and community spirit in Ayodhya

The city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama, serves as a focal point for Diwali celebrations. On the eve of Diwali 2025, over 2.6 million lamps were lit along the banks of the Saryu River, breaking and retaining a Guinness World Record. Thousands of volunteers and hundreds of Hindu priests participated in synchronized prayers, illuminating the cityscape with fairy lights, lasers, and fireworks displays. The communal effort involved massive quantities of oil and cotton wicks to light the diyas, symbolizing unity and devotion during this sacred period.

Impact on daily life: banking holidays and public services

The Diwali festival stretches across several days, prompting bank holidays in multiple Indian states. For instance, on October 22, 2025, banks in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are closed to mark Bali Pratipada, Govardhan Puja, and other observances. These periodic closures affect in-person banking and services such as cheque clearance and large cash deposits, though digital banking platforms, ATMs, and payment apps remain operational for essential transactions.

This patchwork of regional holidays illustrates India’s rich cultural diversity but also highlights the absence of a unified national festive break.

The broader significance and calls for a national Diwali holiday

Unlike many countries with major, centralized holiday periods—such as Thanksgiving in the United States, Lunar New Year in China, and Christmas-New Year in Europe—India’s extensive cultural calendar offers no single, nationwide pause. Despite India’s hard-working reputation and top global corporate representation, the country ranks relatively low on the World Happiness Report 2024.

Experts and public figures have argued for a formal, week-long Diwali public holiday to offer citizens a proper festive rest. This could reduce the strain of urgent travel during peak periods and improve overall well-being and productivity. Such a break is supported by the widespread cultural relevance of Diwali across India’s states, languages, and communities, making it uniquely suitable as a pan-Indian holiday.

Proponents point to massive economic impact during the Diwali period, where consumer spending surges in sectors from retail to travel. In 2025 alone, festive sales reached a record Rs 6.05 lakh crore, with online commerce also spiking. Extending celebrations with a national holiday week could stimulate further economic growth by encouraging longer family visits, more extensive shopping, and increased leisure activities.

The five days of Diwali in 2025

The Diwali festival comprises five main days, each with distinct religious and cultural importance:

• Dhanteras (October 18): A day for prosperity and wealth, marked by cleaning homes and decorating with diyas and rangoli.
• Kali Chaudas (October 19): Dedicated to Goddess Kali, this day focuses on purging evil and negativity.
• Main Diwali Day (October 20 evening to 21): Celebrates light triumphing over darkness with widespread lighting of lamps, prayers to Goddess Lakshmi’s birthday, fireworks, and family feasts.
• Govardhan Puja (October 22): Dedicated to Lord Krishna and nature, involves specific offerings and expressions of gratitude.
• Bhai Dooj (October 23): Honors the bond between brothers and sisters with special rituals and celebrations.

Who celebrates Diwali?

Diwali transcends religious boundaries, celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and even some non-Hindu communities globally. The festival holds unique significance in each tradition: Hindus celebrate Lord Rama’s victorious return; Sikhs mark the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment; and Jains commemorate Lord Mahavira’s attainment of nirvana.

Outside India, Diwali is a public holiday in places with substantial South Asian populations, including California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania in the US, and countries like Singapore.

Environmental concerns and policy responses

The traditional use of firecrackers has severe environmental and health effects, particularly in urban centers like New Delhi where air quality dips to hazardous levels during Diwali. Despite recent regulatory steps including the introduction of green fireworks with reduced emissions, experts remain concerned about pollution spikes.

Some advocates propose more radical solutions such as restricting all internal combustion engine vehicles during Diwali week to mitigate air quality issues, combined with expanded holidays to reduce travel congestion.

Conclusion: Lighting a fuse for change

Diwali remains a vibrant and cherished celebration that blends ancient traditions with modern festivities. The festival unites millions across India and beyond in a shared cultural heritage of light, hope, and renewal.

As India continues to evolve, there is an emerging consensus that formalizing an extended Diwali holiday could enhance social well-being, ease logistical burdens, and further energize the economy. Given Diwali’s widespread cultural acceptance, it offers a unique opportunity to create a nationwide festive pause that mirrors the coordinated holiday practices seen in many other populous nations.

As the lamps glow brighter and fireworks sparkle across the country in October 2025, India might stand on the cusp of turning a beloved tradition into a catalyst for unity, health, and prosperity for all its citizens.

Questions and answers

Q: When is Diwali 2025 in India

A: Diwali in India in 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 1st. The festival date is based on the Hindu lunar calendar and typically falls between October and November. Diwali marks the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Kartika month.

Q: Diwali public holidays in India

A: Diwali is a major public holiday in many Indian states, with the main day of celebration recognized as a public holiday across the country. Some states also observe additional holidays for related festivals like Dhanteras and Bhai Dooj. Due to its cultural and religious significance, schools, banks, and government offices usually close during this period.

Q: Impact of firecrackers on air pollution during Diwali

A: The use of firecrackers during Diwali significantly increases air pollution, contributing to high levels of particulate matter and harmful gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. This spike in pollution can lead to respiratory problems, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with asthma. Efforts are ongoing to promote eco-friendly celebrations and reduce firecracker use to protect air quality.

Q: Significance of Diwali rituals and sweets

A: Diwali rituals symbolize the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. People clean and decorate their homes, light oil lamps (diyas), and perform prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. Sweets and savories play a key role in celebrations, as they are exchanged among family and friends to spread joy and strengthen bonds during the festive season.

Q: Proposal for national Diwali holiday in India

A: There have been proposals to declare a national holiday for Diwali in India to acknowledge its cultural importance and unify the diverse observance across different states. Proponents argue a national holiday would facilitate participation in the festivities and help promote India's cultural heritage globally. However, as of now, Diwali remains a public holiday in many states but not officially recognized as a nationwide holiday.

Key Entities

India: India is a South Asian country with a rich cultural heritage and the world's second-largest population. It is the setting for the Supreme Court ruling on land ownership in Ayodhya, a city of religious significance.

Ayodhya: Ayodhya is a historic city in India known as the birthplace of Lord Rama, a major deity in Hinduism. It has been the focal point of a long-standing legal dispute resolved by the Supreme Court concerning land ownership.

New Delhi: New Delhi is the capital city of India, serving as the political and administrative center of the country. It houses the Supreme Court, which adjudicated the Ayodhya land dispute.

Supreme Court: The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial authority in the country responsible for constitutional interpretation. It delivered a landmark verdict awarding the disputed land in Ayodhya for the construction of a temple dedicated to Lord Rama.

Lord Rama: Lord Rama is a revered Hindu deity, regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the ancient epic Ramayana. The disputed Ayodhya site is traditionally believed to be his birthplace, making it a place of immense religious significance.

External articles

• Toxic haze in Delhi despite 'green' Diwali
• New Delhi air quality: After festival of lights, India's capital ...
• With Diwali Comes the Start of Air Pollution Season in ...

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YouTube Video

Title: Ayodhya Dham Diwali 2025🪔 | 21 Lakh Diyas Lighting the City of Lord Ram | Deepotsav 2025 Celebration
URL: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M7QQTW-zFuE