Diwali 2025 at a Glance (USA & Canada)
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) in 2025 falls on Monday, October 20, 2025 across the USA and Canada. The Amavasya Tithi (New Moon) begins at 3:44 PM IST on October 20 and ends at 5:54 PM IST on October 21. For most North American cities, the most auspicious Lakshmi Puja window lies around 7:00 PM–9:00 PM local time.
Tip for NRIs: Aligning local muhurats with Indian Standard Time (IST) helps families coordinate temple visits and virtual pujas with relatives in India.
Spotlight: Swarn Prasadam—Jaipur’s ₹1.11 Lakh Gold Sweet
Swarn Prasadam is making waves this festive season—a luxury gold-infused sweet (~₹1.11 lakh / ~$1,330) that blends Ayurvedic inspiration with premium craftsmanship. If you’re seeking a conversation-starter gift or temple offering this Diwali, this Jaipur innovation sits at the intersection of opulence and tradition.
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat — Top USA Cities (with IST conversion)
Below are easy-to-follow Lakshmi Puja windows for major U.S. cities, plus the corresponding IST times on October 21—handy for those joining family prayers in India.
Note: The most sacred time is during Pradosh Kaal and Vrishabha Lagna (just after sunset).
| City (USA) | Local Puja Time | IST on Oct 21 | Timezone |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 7:17 PM – 8:45 PM | 4:47 AM – 6:15 AM | Eastern Time |
| Washington D.C. | 7:12 PM – 8:36 PM | 4:42 AM – 6:06 AM | Eastern Time |
| Miami | 7:05 PM – 8:15 PM | 4:35 AM – 5:45 AM | Eastern Time |
| Chicago | 7:09 PM – 8:39 PM | 5:39 AM – 7:09 AM | Central Time |
| Houston | 8:14 PM – 9:19 PM | 6:44 AM – 7:49 AM | Central Time |
| Dallas / Fort Worth | 8:08 PM – 9:24 PM | 6:38 AM – 7:54 AM | Central Time |
| Los Angeles | 7:16 PM – 8:20 PM | 7:46 AM – 8:50 AM | Pacific Time |
| San Francisco / San Jose | 7:37 PM – 9:27 PM | 8:07 AM – 9:57 AM | Pacific Time |
| Seattle | 7:15 PM – 8:58 PM | 7:45 AM – 9:28 AM | Pacific Time |
| Atlanta | 7:18 PM – 8:30 PM | 4:48 AM – 6:00 AM | Eastern Time |
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat — Top Canadian Cities (with IST conversion)
Use these windows for home puja, temple visits, or virtual aarti with family in India.
| City (Canada) | Local Puja Time | IST on Oct 21 | Timezone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 7:05 PM – 8:25 PM | 4:35 AM – 5:55 AM | Eastern Time |
| Montreal | 7:02 PM – 8:22 PM | 4:32 AM – 5:52 AM | Eastern Time |
| Ottawa | 7:06 PM – 8:24 PM | 4:36 AM – 5:54 AM | Eastern Time |
| Vancouver | 7:18 PM – 8:32 PM | 7:48 AM – 9:02 AM | Pacific Time |
| Calgary | 7:25 PM – 8:45 PM | 6:55 AM – 8:15 AM | Mountain Time |
| Edmonton | 7:29 PM – 8:50 PM | 6:59 AM – 8:20 AM | Mountain Time |
| Brampton / Mississauga | 7:07 PM – 8:27 PM | 4:37 AM – 5:57 AM | Eastern Time |
| Winnipeg | 7:16 PM – 8:34 PM | 5:46 AM – 7:04 AM | Central Time |
| Surrey | 7:20 PM – 8:40 PM | 7:50 AM – 9:10 AM | Pacific Time |
| Halifax | 6:55 PM – 8:12 PM | 3:25 AM – 4:42 AM | Atlantic Time |
Five Days of Diwali 2025 (USA, Canada & India)
| Day | Festival | Date (2025) | What It Signifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhanteras | Oct 18, 2025 | Buying gold/silver; worship of Lakshmi & Dhanvantari |
| 2 | Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali | Oct 19, 2025 | Krishna’s victory over Narakasura |
| 3 | Main Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Oct 20, 2025 | Lakshmi worship, diyas, family gatherings, sweets |
| 4 | Govardhan Puja | Oct 21, 2025 | Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill |
| 5 | Bhai Dooj | Oct 22, 2025 | Celebrating the bond of siblings |
Why Diwali Matters to NRIs in North America
For the Indian diaspora, Diwali doubles as spiritual homecoming and cultural showcase. U.S. cities like New York, San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago host community melas, fireworks, and temple pujas; landmarks such as Times Square, Niagara Falls, and Toronto City Hall often light up for the Festival of Lights.
In Canada, hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Brampton see bustling Diwali fairs with rangoli, classical performances, and stalls for mithai and decor—making it one of the most visible celebrations of multicultural harmony.
Puja Vidhi: Simple Step-by-Step (Home Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja)
- Sthapana: Place clean chakla/altar with Lakshmi-Ganesha idols or images; add kalash, rice, and a red cloth.
- Shuddhi: Light diyas, incense; sprinkle Ganga jal for purification.
- Sankalp: State your intention (family prosperity, wisdom, health).
- Avahan: Invite the deities with mantras; offer flowers and kumkum.
- Puja Items: Offer haldi-kumkum, akshata, sweets, fruits, dry fruits, panchamrit.
- Kuber Pujan: Keep a small bahi-khata or coin box; pray for wise wealth management.
- Aarti & Prasad: Perform aarti, share prasad, and distribute charity where possible.
- Diyas: Place diyas at the entrance, balcony, and near the tulsi plant to symbolize light over darkness.
The Spiritual Layer
- Amavasya signals clearing old energies and inviting renewal.
- Vrishabha Kaal during Lakshmi Puja is believed to magnetize abundance and grace.
- Lighting diyas reflects inner awakening and clarity.
- Sharing sweets & charity is said to build punya (spiritual merit).
Performing puja within the suggested muhurat aligns worship with these auspicious currents and honors Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Kubera together.
Eco-Friendly Diwali Ideas for NRI Families
- Swap firecrackers for light shows or sparklers.
- Use handmade diyas or LED lamps to cut smoke indoors.
- Share mithai with neighbors to build community ties.
- Support local Indian grocery/decor stores offering sustainable options.
- Join temple-run drives and cultural programs.
Time-Zone Notes: USA/Canada vs India
- North America is roughly 10.5–13.5 hours behind IST.
- When families in India perform puja around 7–8 PM IST, it’s morning in North America.
- Many NRIs celebrate locally in the evening of Oct 20, while coordinating virtual aarti with India on the IST-aligned windows.
- The Tithi remains the same globally, even though local clock times vary.
Festive Messages & Status Ideas
- “Shubh Deepavali 2025! May Lakshmi bless your home with prosperity and peace.”
- “From Dallas to Delhi, may the same light unite our families this Diwali.”
- “Deep Prajwalan to dispel darkness—wishing clarity, wisdom, and joy!”
- “Prosperity with humility, success with compassion—Happy Diwali 2025.”
(Optional) Sports Corner Reference Reframed
If you’re tracking Sunday Night Football in October 2025—Falcons vs 49ers—plan your puja and family time first, then catch the game highlights afterward for a balanced festive evening.
Final Wish
Wherever you are—Mumbai or Montreal, Delhi or Dallas—may Diwali 2025 fill your home with light, harmony, and prosperity. Wishing you a Happy Diwali and a blessed year ahead!