Diwali Calendar 2024: Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals in Hindu culture. Celebrated with grandeur every year, it falls on the 15th day of Kartik, the darkest night of the Hindu lunar calendar. During Diwali, homes are beautifully decorated with diyas (oil lamps), rangoli, and glowing lights. The festivities last for five days, each with its own special significance. Below is the detailed calendar for Diwali 2024, including key dates and auspicious timings.
Diwali 2024: Date and auspicious timings
This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 31, 2024. According to the Drik Panchang, Choti Diwali and Lakshmi Puja will occur on the same day. The important timings for the day are:
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 2024: 5-Day festival calendar
October 29: Dhanteras
October 31: Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) and Lakshmi Puja
November 2: Govardhan Puja
November 3: Bhai Dooj
Each day holds unique rituals and traditions, adding to the rich tapestry of Diwali celebrations.
Understanding the five days of Diwali
1. Dhanteras (October 29, 2024): The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day dedicated to praying for prosperity and well-being. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber, often purchasing gold or new items to invite good fortune into their homes.
2. Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) (October 31, 2024): On this day, people honor Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Homes are cleaned and prepared for the grand Diwali celebration to follow.
3. Diwali (October 31, 2024): Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. People decorate their homes with oil lamps and rangoli, and in the evening, they perform Lakshmi and Ganesh puja for wealth and prosperity.
4. Govardhan Puja (November 2, 2024): This day is dedicated to worshiping Lord Krishna, commemorating his act of lifting the Govardhan Mountain to protect the people of Mathura from heavy rains sent by Lord Indra.
5. Bhai Dooj (November 3, 2024): The festival concludes with Bhai Dooj, a day celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being and perform aarti, while brothers give gifts in return.
Diwali 2024: Traditions and rituals
During the Diwali festival, families prepare by thoroughly cleaning their homes and creating intricate rangoli designs to welcome the gods. The primary deities worshipped throughout the celebration include Lord Dhanvantari, Lord Yama, Lord Krishna, Lord Kuber, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Lakshmi. Each day of the festival is dedicated to honoring specific deities through prayer and rituals.
Diwali is also a time for sharing joy, exchanging sweets, and distributing gifts among family, friends, and neighbors. The festival radiates happiness and unity, celebrated with enthusiasm not only in India but around the world.
This article offers a complete guide to the dates and rituals for Diwali 2024. From Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, the five-day festival is filled with meaning, devotion, and joy.
