Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) 2003
The festival of lights — Lakshmi Puja while Amavasya prevails during pradosh.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)06:01
- Pradosh puja muhurat17:22 – 19:46
- Fasting window (tithi)2003-10-24 · 21:49 → 18:27
- Parana (tithi ends)18:27
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaDiwali (Lakshmi Puja) — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct time for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali?
Lakshmi Puja is performed in pradosh kaal, the window beginning at sunset, and preferably during a sthir (fixed) lagna such as Vrishabha. Exact timings shift by city, since they depend on local sunset.
Why is Diwali celebrated on a new moon night?
Kartika Amavasya is the darkest night of the lunar year. Lighting lamps on it is the point: the festival is about producing light where none is given, rather than celebrating light that already exists.
Should Ganesha be placed to the left or right of Lakshmi?
Ganesha is placed to Lakshmi's right as you face the idols. He is invoked first, as every Hindu rite begins with him.
Other major festivals in 2003
- Makar Sankranti — 14 January 2003
- Vasant Panchami — 6 February 2003
- Maha Shivaratri — 1 March 2003
- Holika Dahan — 17 March 2003
- Holi — 19 March 2003
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 2 April 2003
- Ram Navami — 11 April 2003
- Akshaya Tritiya — 4 May 2003
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 1 July 2003
- Guru Purnima — 13 July 2003
- Nag Panchami — 3 August 2003
- Raksha Bandhan — 12 August 2003
- Krishna Janmashtami — 19 August 2003
- Hartalika Teej — 30 August 2003
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 31 August 2003
- Anant Chaturdashi — 9 September 2003
- Pitru Paksha begins — 11 September 2003
- Sharad Navratri begins — 27 September 2003
- Durga Ashtami — 3 October 2003
- Maha Navami — 4 October 2003
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 4 October 2003
- Karwa Chauth — 14 October 2003
- Dhanteras — 23 October 2003
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 24 October 2003
- Govardhan Puja — 26 October 2003
- Bhai Dooj — 27 October 2003
- Chhath Puja — 30 October 2003
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 8 November 2003
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 8 November 2003
- Hindu Festivals 2003 →