Diwali 2025 New Zealand: Festival Dates, Tithi and Muhurt

click here for Diwali Events and Celebrations across New Zealand

DIWALI 2025 FESTIVAL DATES

Due to difference of Tithi (Lunar day), there may be difference between India and New Zealand Diwali festival dates dates

  • Rama Ekadashi & Govatsa Dwadasi: Fri 17 Oct 2025 (Few temples in NZ are celebrating Rama Ekadasi on 17 Oct)
  • Dhanvantari Trayodashi / Dhan Teras धन तेरस
    • New Zealand: Sun 19 Oct
    • India: Sat 18 Oct
  • Kali Chaudas, Roop Chaudas (रूप चौदस)
    • New Zealand and India: Sun 19 Oct
    • Few temples in NZ are celebrating on 20 Oct
  • Diwali दिवाली, Deepavali, Lakshmi Puja लक्ष्मी पूजा , Chopda (Accounting books) puja, Bandi Chhod Diwas
  • Ann-koot अन्नकूट, Ishti, Goverdhan Puja, Bali Pratipada
    • New Zealand and India: Wed 22 Oct
  • Bhai Dooj / Bhai Beej 
    • New Zealand and India: Thu, 23 Oct
  • Laabh Paancham / Panchmi, लाभ पंचम / पंचमी 5th Lunar day
    • New Zealand: Mon 27 Oct (Few temples are celebrating on 26 Oct)
    • India: Sun 26 Oct
  • Chhat Puja छठ पूजा, 6th Lunar day
    • New Zealand: Tue 28 Oct
    • India: Mon 27 Oct

Sun 19 Oct 2025: Dhan Teras Puja Muhurt धन तेरस पूजा मुहुर्त (combination of Pradosh and Vrishabha kaal)

  • New Zealand: Sun 19 Oct 2025: 7.40pm to 12.15 midnight as per auckland NZ time
  • Fiji: Sun 19 Oct 2025: 6.08pm to 10.20pm as per Nadi Fiji time

Tue 21 Oct 2025: Diwali Lakshmi Puja Muhurt दिवाली लक्ष्मी पूजा मुहुर्त (Auspicious Time for Diwali Prayers, based on combination of Pradoah and Vrishabha kaal)

  • New Zealand: Laxmi Puja muhurat time: 21 Oct 7.40pm to 12.10 mid night NZ time
  • Fiji: Lakshmi Pooja muhurt time: 21 Oct 6.10pm to 10.10pm Nadi Fiji time
  • Many temples and communities in New Zealand follow Indian calendar which may be a +/- day

Hindu Temples (Mandir) organize Diwali puja, prayers, decorative lamps, lights, special prayers celebrating Diwali, Anna Koot, Chhat Puja and other Diwali festivals, click here to see list.

Sikh temples (Gurudwara) organize kirtan, prayers, decorative lighting and fireworks on celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chood Diwas. click here to see list

Diwali Celebrations in New Zealand

Laxmi Aarti for Diwali लक्ष्मी जी की आरती

DIWALI PUJA SAMAGRI पूजा सामग्री

DIWALI PRAYERS / PUJA VIDHI पूजा विधी

Temples in New Zealand

About Diwali

Diwali, also known as Deepavali or Deepawali, is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya (कार्तिक अमावस्या). Kartik is name of Hindu month and Amavasya means no-moon day. The celebrations usually start two days prior to Diwali and goes for two days after Diwali day. The festival is of significant importance for all communities and religions in Indian subcontinent; specially Hindu, Sikh, Jainism, Buddhism

The occasion two days before is Dhan Teras (धन तेरस) or Dhanvantari Trayodashi which is considered auspicious to buy precious metal like Gold or Silver. This is a practice followed by  Indian community introduced by the ancestors which was a way of saving for the future.

On Diwali, people meet and greet their extended family, neighbors and friends. They clean and  decorate their house with Rangoli (रंगोली) colorful Diyas (दिया / दिपक), lanterns and lights, to Welcome Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and offer prayers. Main prayer is held in the evening and known as Laxmi Puja (लक्ष्मी पूजा) offering prayers to the Goddess of Wealth. Another is Chopda Puja (चोपडा पूजा) where business community pray for better Business for the coming year and worship the Account Books. ‘ Chopda’ means books of accounts. Bandi Chhor Divas (ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ / बंदी छोड दिवस / Day of liberation) is celebrated with Diwali. It is day to mark return of Guru Hargobind Ji (श्री गुरू हरगोबिन्द जी)

Next day of Diwali is celebrated as Goverdhan Puja (गोवर्धन पूजा) and Annakut (अन्नकूट) and also as the new year in Gujarat. This day community prays to Lord Krishna and prepare variety of feast at home.

Third day of Diwali is celebrated as Bhai Dooj (भाई दूज) which is celebrated by brothers and sisters. The sisters pray for long life and happiness of their brothers and in return brothers gift their sisters. The Marathi language translation of this festival is Bhau Beej (भाऊ बीज).

Diwali in Indian subcontinent is also time when activities related to sowing of new crop starts.

Have a blessed and prosperous Diwali and new year. शुभ दिपावली