Diwali 2024: Know the dates, timings and significance of the Hindu festival of lights

Diwali also known as Deepawali 2024, will be celebrated for 5 days. It will begin with Dhanteras and end with Bhai Dooj. This five-day festival will begin on 29^th October with Dhanteras and conclude on 3^rd November with Bhai Dooj.

Deepawali aka Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival. The word Deepawali means ‘a row of lights’ and people celebrate it by lighting up their homes and surroundings in order to welcome happiness and prosperity.

This festival celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, his hometown, after defeating the demon named Ravana. It is said that, when Lord Ram returned, the people of Ayodhya, decorated the city with several oil lamps. These oil lamps symbolized the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. 

This festival of lights is also connected to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that worshipping them on this day brings happiness, financial success and good fortune in the coming year. 

People celebrate this festival by lighting oil lamps, making rangoli, bursting firecrackers, exchanging gifts and worshiping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

When is Diwali 2024? 

Previously, some scholars had stated that Diwali should be celebrated on 31^st October as Dhanteras marks the first day of the Diwali festival which will be observed on 29^th October.  

However, after another meeting, almost all of the scholars supported the decision to celebrate Diwali 2024 on 1^st November. This decision was taken on the basis of religious scriptures, which stated that when two days are designated as Amavasya, then Deepawali should be celebrated on the second day. The auspicious Swati Nakshatra of 1^st November also became the reason of taking this decision.

Here's the list of Diwali 2024 dates and timings:

• ·         1^st November 2024 - Diwali
• ·         Lakshmi Puja Muhurat from 05:36 PM to 06:16 PM
• ·         Amavasya Tithi Begins at 03:52 PM on 31^st October 2024
• ·         Amavasya Tithi Ends at 06:16 PM on 1st November 2024
• ·         29^th October 2024, Tuesday - Dhanteras
• ·         31^st October 2024, Thursday - Choti Diwali
• ·         1^st November 2024, Friday - Badi Diwali
• ·         2^nd November 2024, Saturday - Govardhan Puja
• ·         3^rd November 2024, Sunday - Bhai Dooj