Diwali 2024: Dates, Auspicious Timings, and Importance of the Five-Day Celebration

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is an Indian festival celebrating the victory of light and good over darkness and evil. There is an all-India celebration of this festival in various religious traditions, but most popularly described in the Indian epic of Ramayana, the story of Rama and Sita Mata fighting demon king Ravana and returning to Ayodhya after a long period.This procedural narrative brings in the core values of simple virtues encapsulated in righteousness as demonstrated by Lord Rama. Diwali, or the festival of lights as it is often lovingly called will be celebrated across five days each with a grander purpose. The grand festivity is all geared up to start on 29th October, 2024 with the religious day of Dhanteras and end in Bhai Dooj embrace on November 2nd, 2024.

Diwali 2024 Dates and Importance

Diwali is one of the most important festivals for Hindus and thus times are full with excitement as joy gets manifested in every corner. To avail these opportunities which are very rare, people do a lot of different types of puja karmkandangs/mheetings on this day. Diwali is the day when Lord Maa Tula or some call goddess of wealth and prosperity, Laxmi. As per the Drik Panchang, Diwali 2024 will be observed on Thursday which corresponds to Amavasya Tithi of Kartik Month. However, Laxmi Puja will be on October 31, 2024 when Amavasya Moon is declared visible. Diwali celebrations will run until November 1, 2024 in parts of India.

Amavasya Ends at 6:16 PM, Nov 1.According to the Hindu lunar calendar, 31st October 2024 would be the most suitable day for Diwali celebrations, since Laxmi is worshiped after dusk when the moon is bright. 

The festival of Diwali is actually spread over five days, all of which have their own meanings, rituals and observances. Here is the entire timetable of all five days of the function.

Day 1: Dhanteras (October 29,2024)

The festival marks the first day of Dhanteras, which is a celebration dedicated to wealth and well-being. Devotees worship the god of medicine, a man and then pray for wealth to see inhuman diseases end on this day. Buying gold and silver to invite good luck in life is also common practice.

Shubh Muhurat for Dhanteras 2024:

Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 06.10 pm to 08.10 pm

Pradosh Kaal: 05.40 pm to 08.10 pm

Vrishabha Kaal: 06.10 pm to 08.10 pm 

Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (October 31, 2024)

Dhantrayodashi to Bhaiya Dooj marks the five-day Diwali celebration. It is advised to perform Abhyang Snan on Chaturdashi, Amavasya, and Pratipada days during this festival, with the most significant Abhyang Snan taking place on Narak Chaturdashi. Those who partake in this ritual on that day may be spared from Narak. For the Ubtan during Abhyang Snan, sesame oil should be used. Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja occur on the same day when Chaturdashi Tithi is present before sunrise and Amavasya follows after sunset. Abhyang Snan is performed at moonrise while Chaturdashi Tithi is active, but before sunrise.

Shubh Muhurat for Naraka Chaturdashi 2024:

Abhyang Snan Muhurat: 05.20 am to 06:32 am

Moonrise at Abhyang Snan: 05.20 am

Day 3: Lakshmi Puja/ Kali Puja/ Narak Chaturdashi (October 31, 2024)

It is observed that in Diwali especially on Laxmi Puja, there is a habit among people to wake up early from sleep in order to pay respect to the elders and do the pooja of the idols placed at their houses. In connection to this, many people also offer Shradh to their deceased ancestors because it is Amavasya. In most cultures, particularly Hinduism where many such rituals are practiced, the paath or puja offers are done after a day of fasting; thus people who worship Goddess Lakshmi generally observe a day long fast and only eat after the late evening Lakshmi puja has taken place. Other events such as Kali Puja and Narak Chaturdashi too take place today. 

Shubh Muhurat for Lakshmi Puja 2024:

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 05.36 pm to 06.16 pm

Vrishabha Kaal: 06.20 pm to 08.15 pm

Amavasya Tithi Begins: 03.52 pm on Oct 31,2024

Amavasya Tithi Ends: 06.16 pm on Nov 01,2024

Day 4: Govardhan Puja (November 2, 2024)

On some occasions, it can be observed the day after Diwali as well.Kans Lila is the popular folklore in South Asia which explains this festival. It is believed that Lord Krishna defeated Lord Indra’s power causing Torana of many heads. And even in this case, there is a backlash of one day sometimes between Diwali and Govardhan puja. In the texts, it is stated that the festival of Govardhan puja is most appropriately performed on the Pratipada Tithi during the month of Kartika. And in the case of Pratipada starting at a specific hour, it may be observed that Govardhan Puja may be celebrated a day before the Amavasya of the Hindu month calendar. This is also referred to as Annakut celebrations. On this day, Lord Krishna is offered a feast which includes grains such as wheat and rice, a curried dish made of gram flour and slices of green vegetables.

Shubh Muhurat for Govardhan Puja 2024:

Pratakala Muhurat: 6.30 a.m to 8:46 a.m

Day 5: Bhai Dooj & Yama Dwitiya (November 3, 2024)

In many households Bhai Dooj marks the end of Diwali festivities even though in some regions it is known as Bhatri Dwitiya or Yama Dwitiya in the north. Bhai dooj is a festival that emphasizes the relationship of siblings. Sisters applied Tika in hopes of a long and prosperous life for their brothers while brothers shower them with gifts vowing to be their guardian.. Every occasion is associated with the importance of brother-sister bonding and family. Other names for Bhaiya Dooj are Bhau Beej, Bhatra Dwitiya, Bhai Dwitiya, and Bhathru Dwithiya.

Shubh Muhurat for Bhai Dooj 2024:

Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time: 01.10 pm to 03.22 pm

Yama Dwitiya falls on the second day of Kartik month and Dwitiya Yama Tithi is also referred to as Yama Dwitiya puja in most Indian states as it falls on the month of November and it usually occurs two days after the Diwali Puja. This festival is dedicated to Yamraj, the king of death, together with Chitragupta and his aides, the Yama-Doots.

As far as the Yama Dwitiya Puja is concerned, Aparahna is the most suitable phase for performing it. A bath in the Yamuna is to be taken in the early morning before starting the Yamraj Puja completed, offerings of arghya are presented to Lord Yama.

The Importance of Diwali:

Diwali holds enormous spiritual and cultural importance, surpassing religion and regions. This festival celebrates:

The Victory of Good over Evil:

Diwali is linked to various mythical phenomenons, such as the birth of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Krishna’s victory over demon Narakasura, and Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya following his victory over the demon king Ravana. The celebration represents the victory of light over dark.

Spiritual Awakening:

On Diwali, people always think about their past actions and their plans for the future, hoping to improve step by step, renew and educate themselves.

Wealth and Prosperity:

Goddess Lakshmi who is worshiped during Diwali is also regarded as the goddess of wealth and prosperity who brings light and happiness in houses. The practice of Lakshmi puja helps to enhance and attract luck and wealth into one’s life.

Cultural Practices:

Diwali is a festival of lights, when people light lamps or diyas, beautify their houses and burst crackers, when people seek favourable luck and dispel the negative forces that are assumed to surround them. Everyone puts on their new garments and shares sweets with close ones as well as neighbors. For most business men, the reconstruction of the account books is tantamount to giving the business an entirely new beginning.

Astrological Significance of Diwali:

From the perspective of astrology, Amavasya or the New Moon day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar happens to be Diwali. This particular night is considered to be the most favorable for the idolisation of Lakshmi and Ganesha as their powers are at peak. This is also because, the planet Saturn’s presence, further encourages and supports themes of contemplation during the festival. Diwali 2024 is going to be a period of merry making and ought to be taken out for some reflection and spiritual rejoicing. A period of reunion with friends and relatives as well as a period of rejoicing the triumph of good over evil and all the positive occurrences that have taken place.