Diwali 2025; Gambling on Diwali Tradition: The great festival of lights i.e. Diwali, which is called the ‘Festival of Light’, has a very important significance in Indian culture. On the day of Diwali, not only lamps are lit but it also symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.
On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshipped. However, a tradition of gambling i.e. playing cards in this holy festival has been going on for centuries and even today gambling is played on the night of Diwali.
In such a situation, let us know whether gambling on Diwali is auspicious or inauspicious and when, how and where this tradition is coming from… Along with this, we also know what is the religious belief behind it…
Why is gambling played on Diwali and is it auspicious or inauspicious?
According to ancient texts, on the occasion of Annakoot or Govardhan Puja, the next day of Diwali, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva played a game of dice. Goddess Parvati invited Lord Shiva to gamble and Lord Shiva lost the game. Since then it has become a belief that whoever gambles on the night of Diwali, there will be prosperity in his house throughout the year. Based on this story, people consider gambling on Diwali auspicious.
According to another belief which is related to the Mahabharata period, the Pandavas had lost everything by gambling on the day of Diwali, due to which they had to undergo exile. In Mahabharata, Yudhishthir had given the knowledge by playing gambling that it is a destructive habit. It can lead you towards destruction. People who believe in this incident consider gambling to be inauspicious.
According to religious scriptures, gambling is prohibited. However, there is also a religious belief regarding gambling that the night of Diwali is also called the night of Mahanisha and this night is full of auspiciousness. Gambling on the day of Diwali is considered a symbol of victory or defeat. According to religious beliefs, winning in gambling on this night brings good luck to you throughout the year and can bring you financial benefits.
When is Diwali 2025? (When is Diwali 2025)
Diwali or Lakshmi Puja is considered the most important in the five-day festival of lights. This year Diwali will be celebrated on 20 October 2025. However, there is confusion among many people (Diwali Date 2025 Confusion) whether Diwali will be on 20th October or 21st October.
According to the calendar, the festival of Diwali is celebrated on the day of Kartik Amavasya. Kartik Amavasya Tithi will start from 03:44 pm on 20th October and will continue till 05:54 pm on 21st October. Lakshmi puja is done only after sunset on the day of Diwali. In such a situation, this year Diwali will be celebrated on Monday, October 20.