Diwali 2024: Date Confusion and Celebrations Across India

With Diwali just around the corner, many people are unsure of the exact date for the festival this year. The question arises—is it on October 31 or November 1? Well, it depends on where you are in India. In Maharashtra, Diwali begins a day earlier on Govatsa Dwadashi, while in Gujarat, it kicks off two days earlier on Agyaras. The main Lakshmi Puja is performed when the Amavasya moon is visible. While most places celebrate Diwali on October 31, some regions, especially certain cities, will celebrate it on November 1, 2024.

Diwali 2024: Puja Timings

Here are the important puja timings according to the Hindu panchang (calendar):

• Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 05:36 pm to 06:16 pm (41 minutes) on October 31, 2024
• Amavasya Tithi begins: 03:52 pm on October 31, 2024
• Amavasya Tithi ends: 06:16 pm on November 1, 2024

Five Days of Diwali Celebrations

In many regions, Diwali is celebrated over five days, each day having its own importance and rituals:

• October 29, 2024 (Tuesday): Dhanteras – The day for purchasing precious metals and starting the festival.
• October 31, 2024 (Thursday): Choti Diwali – A day of smaller celebrations leading up to the main event.
• November 1, 2024 (Friday): Badi Diwali – The main day for worship and celebrations.
• November 2, 2024 (Saturday): Govardhan Puja – A day to honor Lord Krishna and nature.
• November 3, 2024 (Sunday): Bhai Dooj – A day dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters.

The Significance of Diwali

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is primarily dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. However, other deities like Lord Ganesha (the remover of obstacles), Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Kuber are also worshipped during this festival. For many business owners, this is an auspicious time to start new ventures. Rituals are performed for accounting books, pens, and ink bottles to seek blessings for success in the coming year.

The Importance of Lakshmi Puja

Lakshmi Puja is not just confined to homes but is also performed in businesses and offices. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi is believed to bring wealth and success in professional life. Also read: Festive Special Trains Announced by Central Railways for Diwali and Chhath Puja As part of the rituals, families light oil lamps and place them around their homes to dispel darkness and welcome her blessings.  It is a time of joy, prosperity, and togetherness, as families come together to celebrate with lights, prayers, and feasts.