The Indian Festival of Lights – Diwali Celebrations 2017

Diwali celebrations 2017 peaked on Thursday, 19 October 2017, the main day of India’s five-day festival of lights. Homes glowed with diyas, families performed Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja in the evening, and the festival marked the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

This guide covers the exact 2017 dates, puja timing, the story behind the festival, regional customs, what made Diwali 2017 different, and the answers students search for most.

Quick Answer: Diwali 2017 was on 19 October (Thursday). Dhanteras was 17 October, Choti Diwali 18 October, Govardhan Puja 20 October and Bhai Dooj 21 October.

What Is Diwali? Meaning of the Festival of Lights

Diwali, or Deepavali, means “a row of lights.” It is one of India’s biggest festivals and is celebrated on the new-moon night (Amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartik. Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhist communities observe it, each with their own traditions.

Why Is Diwali Called the Festival of Lights?

People light earthen lamps (diyas), candles and string lights to symbolise knowledge defeating ignorance. The lamp is the central image of the festival, and the whole country looks brighter for it.

Diwali 2017 Date and Lakshmi Puja Timing

Diwali 2017 was celebrated on 19 October. The Amavasya tithi began in the early hours of 19 October and ended in the early hours of 20 October. The best time for Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is the evening Pradosh Kaal after sunset, which in 2017 fell roughly between 7 pm and 8:30 pm in most Indian cities. Exact muhurat times vary by city.

Diwali 2017 Calendar: All Five Days

The Five Days of Diwali Explained

Diwali is a five-day festival, and each day has its own ritual and meaning. Students often get asked about this in exams and essays, so here is each day in short.

Day 1: Dhanteras (17 October 2017)

Dhanteras opens the festival and is considered auspicious for buying gold, silver, utensils and new items for the home.

• Families buy metal items, coins and idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha.

• Many also worship Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda.

• Lamps are lit at the entrance of the home for the first time that season.

Day 2: Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi (18 October 2017)

Choti Diwali celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. Homes are cleaned, rangoli is drawn and early-morning rituals are common in many regions.

Day 3: Diwali and Lakshmi Puja (19 October 2017)

This is the main day. Families dress in new clothes, perform puja, light rows of diyas and share sweets and gifts. In Bengal, the same night is celebrated as Kali Puja.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja (20 October 2017)

Govardhan Puja remembers Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill. Devotees prepare a large offering of food called Annakut. In Gujarat, the day is also celebrated as the New Year.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj (21 October 2017)

Bhai Dooj celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for their long life, and brothers give gifts in return.

Why Is Diwali Celebrated? Stories Behind the Festival

Diwali is celebrated for several reasons depending on region and tradition. Knowing the main legends helps students write better answers.

• Return of Lord Rama: In North India, Diwali marks Rama, Sita and Lakshmana returning to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The citizens lit lamps to welcome them.

• Goddess Lakshmi: In much of India, the day honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, who is believed to visit clean, well-lit homes.

• Krishna and Narakasura: In South India, the festival celebrates Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.

• Lord Mahavira: Jains observe Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira attained nirvana.

• Bandi Chhor Divas: Sikhs remember the release of Guru Hargobind Ji, and Amritsar is lit up on this occasion.

The Common Message

All these stories carry the same message: truth, kindness and hope will always overcome darkness.

How Indians Celebrated Diwali in 2017: Traditions and Customs

Diwali traditions in 2017 followed the same customs that have been passed down for generations. Preparation starts weeks ahead with cleaning, painting and decorating.

Home Cleaning and Decoration

Families clean and whitewash their homes before Diwali because Lakshmi is believed to enter a clean house. Marigold garlands, torans and fairy lights add to the look.

Rangoli and Diyas

• Rangoli is drawn at the entrance using coloured powder, rice flour or flower petals.

• Diyas are placed along windows, balconies and rooftops.

• Many families in 2017 chose clay diyas over plastic lights to support local potters.

Puja, Sweets and Gifts

• Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is performed in the evening.

• Families exchange sweets such as laddoo, barfi, gulab jamun and kaju katli.

• Gifts, dry fruit boxes and greeting messages were widely shared, with WhatsApp greetings becoming as common as printed cards.

Diwali in Delhi and Delhi NCR

Delhi’s markets such as Sadar Bazaar, Chandni Chowk and Dwarka’s local markets were crowded with shoppers buying lights, sweets and decor. Residential colonies hosted Diwali melas, and community pujas were common.

What Made Diwali 2017 Different?

Diwali 2017 stood out because of cracker restrictions in Delhi-NCR, the first festive season after GST, and the start of a new Deepotsav tradition in Ayodhya.

1. Supreme Court Ban on Cracker Sales in Delhi-NCR

On 9 October 2017, the Supreme Court restored its earlier order banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR until 1 November 2017. The bench said it wanted to see the effect of at least one cracker-free Diwali. This made 2017 one of the most discussed Diwali seasons for air quality in the capital.

2. A Greener, Quieter Diwali

Many families, schools and resident groups chose eco-friendly celebrations:

• Clay diyas instead of electric strings

• Flower rangoli instead of chemical colours

• Gifting plants and sweets instead of crackers

• Schools running awareness drives on pollution

3. First Diwali After GST

Goods and Services Tax came into force in July 2017, so this was the first festive shopping season under the new tax system. Traders and shoppers adjusted to new pricing, and online festive sales ran alongside offline markets.

4. Deepotsav in Ayodhya Begins

The Uttar Pradesh government began the Deepotsav celebration in Ayodhya in 2017 with about 1.71 lakh lamps lit along the Saryu riverbank. It has since grown into a major annual event.

5. Prime Minister Spends Diwali with Soldiers

On Diwali 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Gurez sector in Jammu and Kashmir to celebrate with soldiers, a gesture that was widely shared across the country.

Diwali for Students: Essay Points, Short Answers and Safety Tips

Students usually search for Diwali essay points, ten lines and safety tips. This section is written for that need.

Diwali Essay Points (Class 5–10)

• Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated in October or November.

• It marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.

• People clean and decorate their homes.

• Families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

• Sweets are exchanged with friends and relatives.

• In 2017, Diwali was on 19 October.

• We should celebrate responsibly and avoid pollution.

10 Lines on Diwali

1. Diwali is the festival of lights.

2. It falls on the new-moon night of Kartik.

3. It lasts for five days.

4. Homes are cleaned and decorated.

5. Diyas are lit everywhere.

6. Rangoli is made at the doorstep.

7. Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja is performed.

8. People share sweets and gifts.

9. Children enjoy the holidays.

10. Diwali teaches us that light always wins over darkness.

Diwali Safety Tips for Students

• Light diyas carefully and keep them away from curtains.

• Wear cotton clothes instead of synthetic fabric.

• Never light anything without an adult around.

• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby.

• Choose a cracker-free celebration to protect your lungs and the air.

Study Tip During Diwali Holidays

Spend a small part of each day on revision, then enjoy the festival. If you are curious about a career in online marketing, a digital marketing course is a practical skill to start building during holidays.

Diwali and Business: How Brands Used Digital Marketing in 2017

Diwali is the biggest buying season in India, and in 2017 businesses used online channels to reach customers before the festival. Whether a shop sells sweets, clothes, electronics or gifts, the festive window is short and competitive. A trusted digital marketing company in Delhi can help plan campaigns well before Dhanteras.

Festive Marketing Checklist for Local Businesses

• Search visibility: People search for “Diwali gifts near me” or “Diwali sale in Delhi.” A good SEO company can help your business appear in those local searches, including Google Business Profile and local keywords.

• Social media: Festive greetings, offers and contests perform well on Instagram and Facebook. Social media optimization turns followers into customers.

• Mobile-ready websites: Most festive shoppers browse on phones, so a fast, mobile-first site matters. Professional web design builds trust quickly.

• Online stores: Gift sellers and retailers benefit from solid web development so customers can order easily.

• Fresh content: Festive blogs, product descriptions and ad copy from expert content writing help pages rank and convert.

For businesses in West Delhi, working with a local digital marketing agency in Dwarka means a team that understands the neighbourhood market, from Dwarka Mor to Uttam Nagar and the wider Delhi NCR. You can also read more festive and marketing guides on the AMICI blog.

Conclusion

Diwali 2017 brought India together once again, with Dhanteras on 17 October, the main Lakshmi Puja on 19 October and Bhai Dooj on 21 October. It was also a Diwali of firsts: a cracker-sale ban in Delhi-NCR, the first festive season under GST, and the beginning of Deepotsav in Ayodhya. The central message stayed the same, which is that a small lamp can push back a lot of darkness.

Celebrate responsibly, share sweets, help someone in need and keep your surroundings clean and green. If you run a business and want to be found online in the next festive season, contact AMICI Global Solutions for a free consultation.

Happy Diwali, and may your life be filled with light!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When was Diwali in 2017?

Diwali 2017 was on Thursday, 19 October. The five-day festival ran from Dhanteras on 17 October to Bhai Dooj on 21 October. Lakshmi Puja was performed in the evening after sunset during Pradosh Kaal.

Q. Why is Diwali called the festival of lights?

Diwali is called the festival of lights because people light diyas, candles and decorative lamps in and around their homes. The lights symbolise the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, and they welcome Goddess Lakshmi.

Q. Were firecrackers allowed in Delhi-NCR on Diwali 2017?

The sale of firecrackers was banned in Delhi-NCR until 1 November 2017 by a Supreme Court order dated 9 October 2017. The court wanted to observe the effect of a cracker-free Diwali on air quality.

Q. What are the five days of Diwali?

The five days are Dhanteras, Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi), Diwali with Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. In 2017 these fell on 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 October respectively.

Q. How can students celebrate Diwali safely?

Students can celebrate safely by lighting diyas under adult supervision, wearing cotton clothes, avoiding crackers, keeping water nearby and making rangoli with natural colours. Sharing sweets and spending time with family is a safe and meaningful way to celebrate.