Diwali in Gujarat

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the major festival of lights observed across Gujarat. Homes, shops and places of worship are cleaned and decorated, while rows of diyas, rangoli and flowers create a festive setting.

In Gujarat, the celebration also has a distinctive connection with commerce and the Gujarati calendar. Lakshmi Puja and Chopda Puja are important observances, followed by the Gujarati New Year and family visits.

• Vagh Baras — an opening observance in the Gujarati Diwali sequence.
• Dhanteras — associated with prosperity, household preparations and the purchase of traditional goods.
• Kali Chaudas — observed on the day before Diwali in the Gujarati sequence.
• Diwali and Lakshmi Puja — the main night of lamps, worship and household and business rituals, on Kartika Amavasya.
• Bestu Varas — the Gujarati New Year, observed after Diwali.
• Bhai Beej — a family observance associated with the bond between brothers and sisters.

Light and renewal — Diyas represent light, auspiciousness and the removal of darkness, while the festival marks a period of renewal and fresh beginnings.

Lakshmi and prosperity — Many Hindu households worship Goddess Lakshmi, seeking blessings associated with prosperity, well-being and abundance.

Regional and religious traditions — Diwali carries different stories and meanings across India. In Gujarat, its religious observance is closely connected with the opening of a new business and household year.

Diwali developed through several ancient and regional traditions associated with the new moon period of the autumn season. Over time, Hindu communities connected the festival with different religious stories and deities, while Jain traditions also gave the period particular significance.

In Gujarat, the festival became closely woven into the region's mercantile culture and Gujarati calendar. The custom of worshipping account books during Chopda Puja reflects the long relationship between Diwali, commerce, prosperity and the beginning of a new accounting cycle.

At home — Families clean and decorate homes, arrange rangoli, light diyas and prepare sweets and savoury snacks. Relatives and friends exchange greetings and festive food.

Worship — Lakshmi Puja is performed in many Hindu households, while businesses may conduct Chopda Puja for account books and business materials. Other household and family deities may also be worshipped according to local tradition.

In public — Markets, temples and commercial areas are decorated with lights and festive displays. Community gatherings and cultural programmes may accompany the religious observances.

The celebration builds through preparations, cleaning and decoration, followed by Vagh Baras and Dhanteras. Kali Chaudas precedes the main Diwali observance, when homes and businesses are illuminated and Lakshmi Puja and Chopda Puja are performed.

After Diwali, attention turns toward Govardhan Puja and the Gujarati New Year, Bestu Varas. Families visit one another, exchange greetings and sweets, while Bhai Beej continues the sequence with a family observance centred on siblings.

Ahmedabad and major cities — Urban neighbourhoods and commercial areas combine household rituals with extensive lighting, decorated markets and community gatherings.

Saurashtra and Kutch — Local customs can include distinctive household foods, lamps, decorations and community practices alongside the wider Gujarati Diwali sequence.

Business communities — Traders and shopkeepers give particular importance to Chopda Puja, using the occasion to mark a new business cycle and offer prayers for prosperity.

• Lighting diyas
• Making rangoli
• Lakshmi Puja
• Chopda Puja
• Exchanging sweets and gifts
• Gujarati New Year greetings on Bestu Varas
• Bhai Beej family observances

Diya — Represents light, auspiciousness and the dispelling of darkness.

Rangoli — Decorative floor designs mark the festive setting and welcome guests and auspiciousness.

Lakshmi — The goddess is worshipped by many Hindu families in connection with prosperity and well-being.

Chopda — Account books and business records are ceremonially worshipped as part of the Gujarati commercial tradition.

New account books — Symbolize a fresh beginning for businesses and the opening of a new financial cycle.

• Gujarati Diwali is closely connected with the Gujarati New Year, known as Bestu Varas or Nutan Varsh.
• Chopda Puja is a distinctive Gujarati tradition in which traders and business owners ceremonially worship account books and business records.
• Diwali falls on Kartika Amavasya, the new moon day of the Kartika lunar month.
• Gujarati Diwali observances commonly include Vagh Baras, Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas, Diwali, Bestu Varas and Bhai Beej.
• Ghughara, Mohanthal, chakli and other sweets and savoury snacks are commonly associated with festive food traditions in Gujarat.
• Diwali is also significant in Jain communities, where the festival is associated with the liberation or nirvana of Mahavira.