Dipabali

Bengali

Also known as: Deepavali, Diwali

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2026 Bengali Date

Dipabali

About Dipabali

Dipabali, or Deepavali, is the festival of lights celebrated in Bengal on the new moon day of Kartik month (October-November). While in other parts of India Diwali centres on Lakshmi Puja, in Bengal it is primarily Kali Puja that takes centre stage.

The festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes are cleaned and decorated with earthen lamps, candles, and rangoli. The darkness of the new moon night is dispelled by thousands of flickering lights.

In Bengal, the evening is marked by elaborate Kali Puja celebrations at pandals and homes. Firecrackers light up the sky, and families gather for festive meals and exchange of sweets and gifts.

The day also holds significance for business communities, who worship their account books and seek blessings for prosperity. The illumination of homes and streets creates a magical atmosphere throughout Bengal.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Devotees observe fasting on Dipabali, primarily associated with Kali Puja observances.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Observe a fast during the day, breaking it after the evening puja.
Clean and decorate the house with earthen lamps and candles.
Participate in Kali Puja celebrations at pandals.
Exchange sweets and gifts with family and neighbours.

Parana (Breaking Fast) Note: The fast is broken after the Kali Puja with prasad and festive sweets.

Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps

Essential Puja Samagri:

Earthen lamps (diya) and candlesRangoli materialsFlowers and garlandsIncense sticks and camphorSweets and fruits

Puja Procedure:

Clean the house and draw rangoli at the entrance.
Light earthen lamps throughout the house and in courtyards.
Perform Kali Puja or Lakshmi Puja in the evening.
Exchange sweets and fireworks with neighbours.
Enjoy the festive meal with family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How is Dipabali different from Diwali in other states?

In Bengal, Dipabali centres on Kali Puja rather than Lakshmi Puja. The emphasis is on worshipping Goddess Kali and illuminating the darkness of the new moon night.

Q: What is the significance of lighting earthen lamps?

Lighting earthen lamps symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. It also guides Goddess Lakshmi to visit clean and well-lit homes.

Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).

Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.