What to Wear for Diwali in a Marathi Hindu Household (2026)
Marathi Diwali is a 5-day festival with a distinct tradition on each day. The most important is Narak Chaturdashi (day 3) — the Abhyangasnan (sacred oil bath) taken before sunrise, followed by new clothes for the day. Traditional Maharashtrian dress: Nauvari saree (9-yard saree) for women, dhoti-kurta for men. Green is particularly auspicious (Mahalaxmi and agricultural tradition). The Aakash Kandil (sky lantern) is the distinctive Maharashtrian Diwali decoration. New clothes must be worn on Diwali day — this is as important in Marathi tradition as in Gujarati.
By Ananya Sharma — Indian Fashion Editor
What makes Diwali different in a Marathi Hindu household
Abhyangasnan: a ritual oil bath taken before sunrise on Narak Chaturdashi — after the bath, new clothes are worn for the first time.
Aakash Kandil: the distinctive star-shaped sky lantern hung at the entrance of Maharashtrian homes during Diwali — handmade paper lanterns are traditional.
Bali Pratipada: the day after Diwali is Padwa in Maharashtra — celebrates the bond between husband and wife, gifts exchanged.
Faral: Diwali in Maharashtra is as much about the preparation of traditional snacks (chakli, karanji, aneesa ladoo, besan ladoo, chivda) as about the celebration.
Nauvari saree: the traditional 9-yard saree worn in the Marathi style (draped between the legs like a dhoti) is the most culturally resonant choice for Lakshmi Puja.
Kirloskar Natya Mahotsav and theatre season: Diwali season in Maharashtra is also the start of the Marathi drama season — many families attend Marathi plays during Diwali.
What to wear and what to avoid
Maharashtrian Diwali aesthetics are influenced by the Deccan plateau agricultural tradition — earth tones, green, and gold are central. The Nauvari saree in green or saffron is the most culturally resonant choice for the Lakshmi Puja night.
What to wear
The 9-yard Maharashtrian saree draped in the traditional Marathi style (between the legs) — the most culturally resonant outfit for Lakshmi Puja. Available in Paithani, Lugade, or plain silk.
Maharashtra's prestige silk — the Paithani from Paithan with its distinctive peacock motif and gold zari is the heirloom choice for Diwali in a Marathi family.
A formal salwar kameez in green, saffron, or gold with traditional Maharashtrian gold nath (nose ring) and thushi (choker).
A contemporary Maharashtrian silhouette — a formal kurti with a dhoti-pant in festive colours. Modern and appropriate for evening gatherings.
Options at every price point
- —Cotton Lugade saree (traditional Marathi cotton)
- —Salwar kameez in green or saffron
- —Printed Nauvari-style saree
- —Silk-mix Nauvari saree
- —Embroidered salwar suit in Maharashtrian colours
- —Art silk Paithani-print saree
- —Pure silk Nauvari saree
- —Yeola Paithani in silk
- —Designer Maharashtrian saree with gold work
- —Heirloom Paithani saree
- —Custom Paithan atelier Nauvari
- —Pure silk Paithani with pure gold zari
Common questions
Abhyangasnan is a ritual oil bath taken before sunrise on Narak Chaturdashi (the 3rd day of Diwali, also called Choti Diwali). Sesame oil or scented oil is applied to the body by family members, then washed off with utane (a herbal scrub of chickpea flour, turmeric, and sesame). After the bath, new clothes are worn for the first time — this is the moment of putting on new Diwali clothes. The tradition is that these new clothes have been freshly purchased for Diwali. If you are staying with a Marathi family, plan to have your new Diwali outfit ready for after the Abhyangasnan.
Paithani is a silk saree woven in Paithan (Aurangabad), Maharashtra. Its defining features are a solid-coloured body, a heavily zari-worked border, and a distinctive pallu woven with peacock, parrot, or lotus motifs in fine silk and gold thread. The Paithani is Maharashtra's prestige silk — comparable to Kanjeevaram in Tamil Nadu or Banarasi in Uttar Pradesh. Authentic Paithanis are expensive (₹8,000–2 lakhs+) and deeply valued as heirloom pieces. Wearing a Paithani to a Marathi family's Diwali is a deeply appreciated cultural choice.
The Nauvari (nine-yard) saree is the traditional Maharashtrian women's dress. Unlike a standard 5-6 yard saree draped over one shoulder, the Nauvari is 9 yards long and draped by pulling the extra length between the legs and tucking it into the back — creating a trouser-like lower garment. This style originated with warrior women who needed freedom of movement. It is the most culturally specific Maharashtrian outfit. For guests unfamiliar with this draping style, a regular saree is entirely appropriate — the Nauvari drape requires practice.
Padwa (Bali Pratipada) is the day after Diwali in the Marathi calendar — it celebrates the bond between husband and wife. Wives give gifts to husbands, and husbands take their wives out to dinner or a special outing. It is also the day when the legendary King Bali is worshipped. For dress purposes, this is a festive, slightly more relaxed day than Diwali itself — a new outfit is appropriate, festive but not necessarily maximum embellishment. Couples often coordinate their outfit colours.
Maharashtrian gold jewellery has distinctive forms: the thushi (a flat gold choker of small beads), the mohan mala (long gold bead chain), the nath (traditional gold nose ring), and the kolhapuri saaj (a flat gold necklace). The Maharashtrian green glass bangles (patlya) are the defining festive accessory — worn stacked up the arm, they are specific to Maharashtrian culture and highly appropriate for Diwali. For guests, any gold jewellery is appropriate. The green bangles, if you can find them, are a wonderful cultural touch.
Many traditions are shared — Lakshmi Puja, diyas, rangoli, firecrackers — but several aspects are distinctly Maharashtrian. The Abhyangasnan tradition before sunrise is specifically Maharashtrian. The Aakash Kandil (sky lantern) is a Maharashtrian signature. The 5-day structure is observed slightly differently — Vasu Baras (cow worship) on day 1 is a Marathi tradition. Bali Pratipada focuses on the husband-wife relationship rather than the general new year. The food (faral snacks like chakli, karanji) is specifically Maharashtrian. The general festive dress code is similar but the specific cultural details are different.
A lehenga is acceptable for the evening Lakshmi Puja and family gathering, but less culturally resonant than a saree at a Marathi Diwali. The Nauvari or Paithani saree is the culturally appropriate choice. If you do not wear sarees, a formal salwar kameez in green, saffron, or gold with Maharashtrian jewellery is a good alternative. A lehenga in deep green or saffron with gold embroidery is the closest lehenga equivalent to the Marathi Diwali aesthetic.
Marathi men traditionally wear a dhoti-kurta or the traditional Maharashtrian pheta (turban) with a kurta and dhoti for formal Diwali functions. The pheta (a saffron or white cotton turban) is specific to Maharashtrian male formal dress. Urban Marathi men often wear a formal kurta-pyjama in saffron, cream, or festive colours. New clothes are worn on Narak Chaturdashi after Abhyangasnan — the same new clothes tradition applies to men.