Diwali, the most important Hindu festival celebration, is coming up soon. This year, it will be on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is celebrated with a lot of excitement and energy all over India.
Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil. It marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. The festival is also associated with the birth of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Rituals and Traditions
- People clean their houses really well and decorate them with diyas, rangoli, and lights.
- The main ceremony on Diwali is Lakshmi Puja. People pray to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha to ask for blessings of money, success, and good luck.
- Diwali isn’t complete without fireworks. People fill the night sky with bright, colorful fireworks.
- People buy new clothes to wear on Diwali.
- People exchange and share sweets like laddu, barfi, and kaju katli with family and friends.
Auspicious Muhurat for Lakshmi Puja 2024
The most auspicious time for Lakshmi Puja is between 6:52 PM and 8:41 PM on October 31, 2024. However, the exact timings may vary slightly depending on your location.
Diwali 2024: Puja Timings
| Diwali 2024 | Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 |
| Lakshmi Puja Muhurat | 6:52 pm to 8:41 pm, October 31 |
| 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 October 31 |
City-wise Puja Timings
Here are the approximate Lakshmi Puja timings for some major cities in India:
| City | Lakshmi Puja Timings |
| 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 |
Also Read: Diwali 2024: This Auspicious Time to Worship Laxmi According to Your Zodiac Sign
FAQs
How old is Diwali?
Diwali probably combines harvest festivals in India, with a history of over 2,500 years. The Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana mention it.
Is the Diwali date fixed every year?
The Hindu lunisolar calendar determines the date of Diwali, which varies yearly. Diwali usually falls between mid-October and mid-November.
Can Muslims celebrate Diwali?
Muslims celebrate Diwali as a religious festival, they participate in cultural aspects like lighting diyas, sharing sweets, and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
What language is Diwali in?
The word Diwali, sometimes also called Deepavali, means “row of lights” in an old Indian language called Sanskrit.
