Diwali 2024: Know the date, puja timings, history, and significance behind Deepavali

A five-day celebration that starts with Dhanteras and finishes with Bhai Dooj.

However, in Maharashtra, Diwali celebrations begin one day earlier on Govatsa Dwadashi, while in Gujarat, they begin two days earlier on Agyaras and conclude on Labh Panchami.

People celebrate the festivities by decorating their houses with diyas and candles, dressing up in new outfits, exchanging presents, and eating wonderful traditional food. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Diwali in India 2024: Date and Puja Timings

Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu lunisolar months Ashvin and Kartika, which are usually between mid-October and mid-November.

According to the ancient Hindu calendar, Diwali is celebrated on Amavasya, the fifteenth day of Kartik.

In 2024, the Festival of Lights will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Find below the table for the five-day Diwali festivities that will be celebrated across India.

Here are auspicious timings (shubh muhurat) for the day, as shared by Drik Panchang:

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 6:52 pm to 8:41 pm

Pradosh Kaal – 6:10 pm to 8:52 pm

Vrishabha Kaal – 6:52 pm to 8:41 pm

Amavasya Tithi Begins – 6:22 am on October 31

Amavasya Tithi Ends – 8:46 am on November 1

Diwali in India 2024: History, Significance, and Rituals

Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the holiday of lights, is a major Hindu holiday with deep cultural and spiritual meaning.

It represents the triumph of light over darkness, righteousness over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The lighting of diyas symbolizes the inner light that guards against spiritual darkness.

Diwali originated in ancient Hindu mythology. According to folklore, Lord Rama, Lord Vishnu’s seventh avatar, returned to his realm of Ayodhya after conquering the evil king Ravana.

Because it was a no-moon day (Amavasya) in the Hindu month of Kartik, the people of Ayodhya greeted Lord Rama by burning diyas (earthen lights) and adorning their homes with rangolis (coloured patterns).

Conversely, people in South India remember when Lord Krishna vanquished the monster Narakasura.

Additionally, it is claimed that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi wed on this day, while according to other stories, Goddess Lakshmi was born on the new moon day of the Kartik month.

People worldwide celebrate Deepavali, or the festival of lights, with tremendous delight and passion.

On the day, people newly place sculptures of Lord Ganesha and Shri Lakshmi as they are worshipped.

Apart from the Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja, Kuber Puja and Bahi-Khata Puja are also performed.

After the puja, people share sweets and presents with their neighbours and friends, light diyas, and set off fireworks.

As the festival of lights is almost here, wishing our readers a very happy and blessed Diwali 2024!