Diwali Traditional Dress — What to Wear for Lakshmi Puja

New clothes for Diwali

Wearing new clothes on Diwali is an old custom — a fresh start for the new year. Rich, warm colours such as red, gold, yellow, orange and green are favourites.

Popular choices

• Women: silk sarees, lehengas, anarkali suits.
• Men: silk kurta with churidar or dhoti, Nehru jacket.
• Children: cotton kurtas and frocks — easy to move in.

Safety first

Synthetic fabrics and flowing dupattas catch fire easily. Around diyas and fireworks wear cotton, tie back dupattas and long hair, and keep a bucket of water nearby.

Regional Diwali traditions

• Tamil Nadu: Deepavali begins with an oil bath before dawn and new clothes; many families wear their new clothes to visit relatives and the temple.
• Gujarat: The day after Diwali is the New Year (Bestu Varas), when people dress up to visit elders and temples.
• Bengal: Kali Puja is celebrated the same night, and many wear red and white.
• North India: Lakshmi Puja in new clothes, with family photos and visits to friends.

Dressing for Lakshmi Puja

Many families wear red, yellow or green for the puja, and gold or silver jewellery as a sign of prosperity — Diwali and Dhanteras are also popular days to buy gold. Children usually get new clothes too.

Office and school Diwali

Abroad, many offices and schools now celebrate Diwali. A simple kurta, salwar suit or saree is perfect, and it is a nice opportunity to explain the festival to colleagues and classmates.