Diwali 2024: Is the correct date October 31 or November 1? Check the Lakshmi Puja timings here

Last updated:October 24, 2024, 2:28 PM IST

Date for Diwali 2024: Majority of astrologers say that Diwali should be celebrated on October 31st while some vote for November 1st. But everyone agrees on the date and times for Lakshmi Puja

Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is a grand festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. Celebrated primarily by Hindus, this vibrant festival spans five days and is celebrated in many states. It starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. Diwali usually falls in the Hindu month of Kartik and coincides with October or November in the Gregorian calendar.

As the Festival of Lights approaches, there is uncertainty about the exact date for this year’s celebrations. The significance of the festival, celebrated on Amavasya (new moon) of the month of Kartik, is felt across the country. This year, the Amavasya Tithi lasts from October 31 to November 1, leading to debates among devotees over the appropriate day for Diwali Puja.

Diwali 2024 date according to astrologers

Bhopal-based astrologer Vinod Soni Puddar offers crucial insights into the ongoing confusion. He explains that Diwali is traditionally celebrated on the night of Amavasya. This year, the Amavasya Tithi begins on October 31st at 2:40 pm and continues till the morning of November 1st. Emphasizing on the importance of celebrating Diwali Puja on October 31, Puddar stressed that celebrations on November 1 are considered inauspicious according to Shastra Samvat.

Renowned astrologer Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal from Devghar echoes Puddar’s views and says that despite the overlapping dates, the celebration of Diwali should be held on October 31. He points out that the Amavasya Tithi officially begins at 3:12 pm on October 31 and ends at 5:14 pm on November 1, reinforcing the call to celebrate on the earlier date.

In Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, confusion has deepened with conflicting opinions over the date of the celebration. While many cities celebrate Diwali on October 31, local religious leaders, including Acharya Satyendra Das, support the celebration on November 1. This discrepancy underscores a broader debate among scholars and followers.

According to Hindu tradition, Diwali commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya, a festival initially marked by the lighting of lamps. The Amavasya Tithi, which begins on October 31 at 3:52 pm and ends on November 1 at 5:30 pm, adds complexity to the celebration dates.

Given different viewpoints, astrologer Pandit Kalki Ram offers a unique perspective. He suggests that the Diwali celebrations could well extend over October 31 and November 1 as the Amavasya tithi covers both dates. He emphasizes the importance of performing Lakshmi Puja on the night of October 31 to achieve the most auspicious result.

The Dhanteras festival kicks off the Diwali holiday season on October 29 and kicks off the celebrations in all states, including Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Dhanteras is traditionally considered an auspicious time for purchasing new items, including utensils and jewelry, and sets the tone for the upcoming celebrations.

Diwali 2024 date and time

As the festive preparations progress, let us delve into the important dates, timings, rituals and cultural significance of this auspicious occasion for 2024.

1. Dhanteras: Celebrated on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.Puja Muhurat: 6:31 p.m. to 8:13 p.m
2. Naraka Chaturdashi: Observed on Thursday, October 31, 2024.Abhyang Snan Muhurat: 5:20 a.m. to 6:32 a.mChaturdashi Tithi begins: 1:15 p.m. on October 30, 2024Chaturdashi Tithi ends: 3:52 p.m. on October 31, 2024
3. Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Takes place on Friday, November 1, 2024.Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 5:36 p.m. to 6:16 p.mAmavasya Tithi begins: 3:52 p.m. on October 31, 2024Amavasya Tithi ends: 6:16 p.m. on November 1, 2024
4. Govardhan Puja: Celebrated on Saturday, November 2, 2024.Govardhan Puja Pratahkal Muhurat: 6:34 a.m. to 8:46 a.mGovardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat: 3:23 p.m. to 5:35 p.m
5. Bhai Dooj: Marked on Sunday November 3, 2024.Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time: 1:10 p.m. to 3:22 p.m

Lakshmi Puja 2024 Schedule

On the evening of Diwali, devotees will perform Lakshmi Puja to seek blessings of wealth and abundance. This year, the auspicious time slot for the ceremony is October 31 from 6:27 pm to 8:32 pm, with the Nishita Muhurta for the puja taking place from 11:39 pm to 12:31 am.

Diwali 2024: School Holiday Schedule

As clarity emerges about the date of the holiday, many institutions, including schools and banks, are planning to observe holidays on both October 31 and November 1. Most astrologers agree that Diwali is celebrated on October 31, making it the main holiday for many. Diwali is not just a one-day festival but extends over five days. This year it falls on a Thursday, allowing for a long holiday weekend. Schools are closed for at least five days, and some residences are taking breaks of up to 15 days.

Diwali 2024 Meaning

Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The focus of this celebration is the story from the Ramayana, where Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya along with Goddess Sita and his brother Laxman after 14 years of exile. The residents of Ayodhya lit up their homes with diyas to welcome their king and bring joy back to their kingdom. Thus, Diwali commemorates the triumph of justice. The festival is also a time of worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Devotees believe that honoring these deities during Diwali brings prosperity and good fortune.

Diwali traditions and rituals

The essence of Diwali lies in its vibrant rituals, interior decoration and community celebrations:

• Home preparations: Families clean and decorate their homes with colorful rangoli, lanterns and fairy lights to invite positivity and prosperity.
• Puja ceremonies: On the main day of Diwali, families gather for puja, offering flowers, sweets and fruits to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and seeking their blessings.
• Illuminate diyas: Lighting diyas symbolizes the banishment of darkness. Houses and streets are decorated with these small oil lamps, creating a magical atmosphere.
• Festive sweets: Traditional sweets like ladoos, barfis and jalebis are prepared and shared with family and friends, symbolizing joy and togetherness.

Daily celebration schedule

• Dhanteras: People clean their houses and buy gold, silver and new utensils that are believed to bring good luck. Also significant is the worship of Lord Kubera, the god of wealth.
• Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali): The day begins with early morning baths and lighting of diyas to commemorate Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.
• Lakshmi Puja (Diwali): In the evening, families perform elaborate puja rituals by lighting diyas and offering sweets to welcome prosperity and remove obstacles.
• Govardhan Puja: On this day, Lord Krishna’s deed of raising Govardhan Hill is honored. To celebrate this miracle, communities often build a small mountain.
• Bhai Dooj: Sisters perform rituals for their brothers’ well-being, while brothers express their gratitude with gifts, strengthening the bond of sibling love.

Best Places to Experience Diwali 2024

While Diwali is celebrated across the country, each region has its own flavor. The best places to experience the festival include:

• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: The ghats shine with thousands of diyas during Diwali, accompanied by the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti.
• Delhi: The capital comes alive with cultural events and illuminated markets, including the famous Chandni Chowk.
• Calcutta, West Bengal: Diwali coincides with Kali Puja, with the city celebrating both festivals with vibrant lights and lights