Diwali 2024 Date: When to celebrate festival of lights – October 31 or November 1?
Diwali in 2024 falls around October 31 and November 1, depending on regional practices and local lunar timings. In many parts of India, Lakshmi Puja—the central Diwali celebration—will take place on November 1, 2024 when the new moon (Amavasya) night is observed.
The festival typically spans five days:
- Govatsa Dwadashi (October 28, 2024): In Maharashtra, this marks the start of Diwali festivities.
- Dhanteras (October 30, 2024): Known for buying new items and honoring Dhanvantari.
- Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi (October 31, 2024): Celebrated a day before Diwali, particularly in South India.
- Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (November 1, 2024): The main day for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, especially in Gujarat.
- Govardhan Puja (November 2, 2024): Honors Lord Krishna.
Each region may adjust these dates slightly based on local traditions and lunar alignments, especially in cities that follow distinct regional panchangs.
Diwali 2024 date: Puja timings
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 05:36 pm to 06:16 pm (Duration: 41 minutes) on October 31, 2024
Amavasya Tithi Begins:03:52 pm on Oct 31, 2024
Amavasya Tithi Ends:06:16 pm on Nov 01, 2024
For some regions, thefestival of Diwaliextends over a period of five days, with each day designated for a specific ritual.
29th October 2024 (Tuesday): Dhanteras
31st October 2024 (Thursday):Choti Diwali
1st November 2024 (Friday):Badi Diwali
2nd November 2024 (Saturday):Govardhan Puja
3rd November 2024 (Sunday):Bhai Dooj
Diwali 2024: Significance
Diwaliis dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who represents wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. However, Lord Ganesha, known as the remover of obstacles, and other deities like Goddess Saraswati and Lord Kuber are also worshipped during the celebrations.
For many business owners, Diwali marks an auspicious time for new financial ventures. They conduct rituals for their accounting books, pens, and ink bottles and seek blessings for a prosperous year ahead.
Diwali 2024: Lakshmi Puja significance
Lakshmi Puja extends beyond homes; it is also performed in businesses and offices, as it is believed that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi invites success and wealth in professional pursuits.
DuringDiwalirituals, families light oil lamps and place them throughout their homes to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. The lamps are meant to dispel darkness and invite her blessings.
The festive season is here, and the fervour is high across the country as people gear up to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Diwali. Many are busy shopping and decorating their houses with rangolis and ferry lights, still wondering when Diwali is exactly. Is Deepavali on October 31 or November 1? Well, we are here to clear your confusion and assist you in knowing the exact date and puja timings of Diwali.
This year,Diwali will be celebrated on October 31, Thursday, as the Amavasya moon will be visible that evening. However, in some cities, Diwali celebrations will take place on November 1, 2024.
According to the Panchang, theAmavasya Tithi ends at 6:16 pmon November 1, 2024, but since Laxmi Puja is traditionally performed after sunset when the moon is visible, October 31, 2024, is considered the ideal day to celebrate Diwali,
Chhoti Diwali, or Naraka Chaturdashi, will then be celebrated on October 30. A day later, onOctober 31, India will celebrate Diwaliwith Lakshmi pujan. Govardhan puja will be observed on November 1.
Diwali will be followed byGovardhan puja and Bhaidooj festivities. Dhanteras will be celebrated on October 29 (Tuesday).
Diwali puja timings, as per Hindustan Times:
> Diwali 2024: October 31
> Lakshmi Puja Muhurta – From 06:52 PM 08:41 PM
> Duration – 01 hour 50 minutes
> Pradosh period -From 06:10 P.M. 08:52 PM
> Taurus period -From 06:52 PM 08:41 PM
> Amavasya Date Start -October 31, 2024 at 06:22 AM
> Amavasya date ends -November 01, 2024 at 08:46 AM
Diwali 2024: Lakshmi Puja city-wise muhurat
As per Drik Panchang, here are thecity-wise puja timings for Lakshmi Puja
New Delhi: 5:36 pm to 6:16 pm
Gurugram: 5:37 pm to 6:16 pm
Noida: 5:35 pm to 6:16 pm
Mumbai: 6:57 pm to 8:36 pm
Chandigarh: 5:35 pm to 6:16 pm
Pune: 6:54 pm to 8:33 pm
Chennai: 5:42 pm to 6:16 pm
Jaipur: 5:44 pm to 6:16 pm
Hyderabad: 5:44 pm to 6:16 pm
Kolkata: 5:45 pm to 6:16 pm
Bengaluru: 6:47 pm to 8:21 pm
Ahmedabad: 6:52 pm to 8:35 pm
Diwali 2024: Significance
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is observed every year to celebrate the victory of good over evil and Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman’s return to Ayodhya after completing their 14-year exile and defeating Ravana.
On this day, people celebrate by decorating their homes, wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts with loved ones, eating delicious sweets, and making rangoli. Hindu devotees also worship Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.