When Government of Pakistan announced a nationwide public holiday for Diwali 2025 on Monday, 20 October 2025, the lingering question of “October 20 or 21?” finally quieted.
The declaration, published on the TESCO.org.pk portal, applies to every administrative region – from Islamabad Capital Territory to Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. It mirrors India’s own gazetted holiday schedule, which lists the same date across all 28 states and eight union territories, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Why the confusion mattered
The root of the mix‑up lay in the precise timing of the Amavasya (new‑moon) tithi. Astronomers noted that the tithi began at 23:42 IST on Sunday, 19 October, and ran until 20:27 IST on Monday, 20 October. Because the critical Lakshmi Puja window – the evening twilight known as Pradosh Kaal – falls entirely within that span, Hindu calendar authorities ruled the ritual belongs to the 20th.
As Krishan Arora, Editor‑in‑Chief of The Tribune, put it, “When the Amavasya straddles two Gregorian days, we follow the traditional Panchangam rule: the day that contains the full night of Amavasya hosts the main puja.”
Official confirmations across the border
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs listed Diwali/Deepavali as a gazetted holiday on 20 October 2025 in its Timeanddate.com‑linked calendar. The same portal, maintained by a team in Fredrikstad, Norway, cross‑checked the date with the Indian Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani announcement came from the TESCO Pakistan Foundation, the nonprofit arm that runs the TESCO.org.pk portal out of Lahore. Their press release emphasized that the holiday respects the 4.4 million Hindus (about 2.14 % of the nation’s 206.1 million population) who observe the festival.
What the calendar looks like
- 18 Oct (Sat) – Dhanteras, the first day of the five‑day stretch.
- 19 Oct (Sun) – Choti Diwali, a night of lights and sweets.
- 20 Oct (Mon) – Main Diwali day: Lakshmi Puja, fire‑crackers, and a public holiday.
- 22 Oct (Wed) – Bhai Duj, celebrating brother‑sister bonds.
The sequence lines up with the Kartik Amavasya in the Vikram Samvat year 2082, and astrophysicists note the moon will be 99.3 % complete by sunset in Delhi (18:05 IST), satisfying the ritual requirement.
Responses from the business and media world
Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, said in a statement, “Our editorial calendars are now locked for the 20th. Advertisers, retailers and broadcasters can plan campaigns without the risk of a date clash.”
Stock market analysts predict a short‑term lull in consumer spending on 20 October, as many shops close early, but a post‑holiday surge in sweets, decorations and fireworks is expected to boost retail turnover by an estimated 3‑4 % week‑over‑week.
Why the date matters for the diaspora
Approximately 1.4 billion Hindus worldwide will mark the day, from the streets of Mumbai to temples in Nairobi and community halls in Toronto. The clear date helps multinational companies schedule payroll, school holidays, and cross‑border logistics without the usual scramble that follows a calendar ambiguity.
For Pakistan’s minority Hindu community, the official holiday is more than a day off; it’s a recognition of cultural heritage that many activists have been lobbying for over the past decade.
What’s next after the lights go out?
After the fireworks, the focus shifts to Bhai Duj on 22 October, a day traditionally marked by gifting sweets and gifts to siblings. Schools in both India and Pakistan will reopen on Tuesday, 21 October, but many families will still be cleaning up, cooking, and sharing stories about the festival’s mythology.
In the coming weeks, regional news agencies will monitor any weather‑related disruptions – the monsoon season can sometimes bring unexpected rain that dampens outdoor celebrations. For now, the astronomical calculations are solid, and the festive mood is already building across social media platforms.
Key Facts
- Official Diwali date: Monday, 20 October 2025.
- Public holiday declared by: Government of Pakistan and all Indian states.
- Number of Hindus potentially observing: ~1.4 billion worldwide.
- Pakistani Hindu population affected: ~4.4 million.
- Key ceremonial window: Amavasya tithi from 23:42 IST (19 Oct) to 20:27 IST (20 Oct).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Diwali 2025 date affect workers in Pakistan?
The public holiday means government offices, schools and many private firms in Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan will close on 20 October. This gives Pakistan’s 4.4 million Hindu citizens a day off to celebrate, aligning their observance with the rest of the sub‑continent.
What caused the confusion between October 20 and 21?
The Amavasya tithi that defines the night of Lakshmi Puja began just before midnight on 19 October and ended after sunset on the 20th. Because the ritual period falls entirely on the 20th, traditional Panchangam rules place Diwali on that day, even though the tithi straddles two Gregorian dates.
Will Indian businesses close on 21 October as well?
No. The official gazetted holiday ends on 20 October. Most shops and offices reopen on Tuesday, 21 October, though some retailers may extend sales or special promotions into the next day to capitalize on post‑festival spending.
How is the date verified by international time authorities?
Timeanddate.com, based in Fredrikstad, Norway, synchronises its Indian holiday calendar with data from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Their lunar calculations match the Indian almanac, confirming the full Amavasya occurs on 20 October.
What are the next festivals after Diwali?
Two days after Diwali, on 22 October, the community celebrates Bhai Duj, a day dedicated to sibling bonds. The five‑day Diwali season also includes Dhanteras on 18 October and Choti Diwali on 19 October.
Ashutosh Sharma
October 20, 2025 AT 23:00Wow, the ministries finally got their act together after months of cosmic indecision, aligning the lunar tithi with the Gregorian calendar like a fintech algorithm. The Panchangam rule that “the day containing the full night of Amavasya hosts the main puja” is now officially codified in Excel sheets, because why trust tradition when you have spreadsheets? It’s almost poetic how astronomers, bureaucrats, and retailers all converge on the same 20 October to sell fireworks. The whole process feels like a high‑frequency trading hack, but for diya lighting. Congratulations to everyone involved for turning a celestial event into a corporate KPI.