Diwali 2024: Date, Time, Meaning & More

Diwali – the grandest and most celebrated event in Hinduism.

Diwali - a festival of Lighting Diya's — Diwali – A festival of Lighting Diya’s

Namaste!

Welcome back our engrossed readers. So, today we are here again with advent write up on Diwali. Yes, you read it right “Diwali”. The grandest and most celebrated festival of Indian culture.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Diwali is also called deepawali, a Hindi word meaning – row of lights. It is the festival of lights, happiness, joy and love all around.

Also, Diwali is a joyous festival which tells us the importance of victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness.

Which Religion Celebrates Diwali?

Apparenly, it is not confined to Hinduism, instead Jainism, Sikhism and other major sects and religions prevalent in India also do celebrate this grand festival with great joy and glee.

a) Hindus embark the return of lord Rama from the 14 years exile and fight with demon Ravana. Also, to celebrate the victory of good over evil; Lord Rama over Ravana, people of Ayodhya lit up mitti diya(lamps made out of earthen clay fill with oil and baati).

b) Similarly, Diwali is celebrated amongst Buddhism followers, as commemoration of a day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in 3rd century BC.

c) Same ways, Shikkism followers also celebrates Diwali as their guru Hargobind ji returned from the captivity in Gwalior (MP, India).

d) Likewise, Jainism followers marks the anniversary of nirvana of their 24th Tiranthkara, Lord Mahavira on Diwali.

When is Diwali?

Diwali always falls on amavasya (new moon) in the kartik month of Hindu panchang. As per Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in the months of October and November.

Apparently, Diwali is a 5 days long festival. Its glory and grandeur is so big that one can’t not miss a single day of celebrations. Markets and households starts preparation of Diwali 1 month before the actual date.

However, in 2024, Diwali dates are as follows ;

Dhanteras : 29 October 2024
Choti Diwali : 31 October 2024
Diwali : 1 November 2024
Goverdhan Puja : 2 November 2024
Bhai Dooj : 3 November 2024

Last year, in 2023, Diwali dates were as follow:

Dhanteras 10 November 2023
Choti Diwali 11 November 2023
Diwali 12 November 2023
Goverdhan Puja 13 November 2023
Bhai Dooj 14 November 2023

What is Shubh Muhurat of Diwali?

Generally, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped widely allover the world on the Kartik Amavasya; Diwali. She is worshipped for wealth, prosperity, health and happiness in business and family.

Likewise, in 2024, the Lakshmi Puja Muhurat will start from 5:35 PM to 6:18 PM on 1 November 2024.

What is the Significance Diwali?

Diwali is a grand festival that embarks the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. It is celebrated in the holy month Kartik with great enthusiasm. Many of ancient knowledge suggest different legends as follows:

1) Goddess Lakshmi’s Birthday

Diwali is regarded as the day of divine incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. She is the goddess of wealth, money and prosperity. Lakshmi, has incarnated from the depth of the bottomless sea on Diwali. As per the Hindu scripture, both Devas and Asuras were mortal. To seek the divine elixir to gain deathless condition, they churned the ocean. This process is also named as Samundra Manthan. During the practice, a host of divine celestial objects came into being, and among them, one was Goddess Lakshmi. Subsequently she married to Lord Vishnu. And thus, the day is marked as the light over darkness.

2) The Victory of Rama

Ramayana tells us how Lord Rama, (seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu) conquered Lanka by defeating the demon Ravana. Lord Rama was asked to g on exile for fourteen years by his step mother Kekayi. His wife Goddess Sita was kidnapped by Demon Ravana. Divine god Rama freed his wife and returned to Ayodhya on Diwali.

Thus, to celebrate the homecoming of beloved King of Ayodhya, people celebrate the day by illuminating the darkest night with candles and firing crackers.

3) The Return of The Pandava’s

Great epic Mahabharata tells us that it was the day of the new Moon when the Pandavas appeared after suffering a exile for 12 years with their wife Draupadi.

Thus, people of Hastinapur, embarks the day of their return as celebration by lighting earthen lamps.

4) Goddess Kali

According to the legends, there was a battle between god and demons. God and gandharva were unable to win over them. Goddess Kali was born from the forehead of Goddess Durga to save the Earth from this battle. On this, she became furious to see the growing cruelty of evil spirits. At this, she attacked asuras and lost her control and started killing whoever came on her way.

Hence, to stop her Lord Shiva had to intervene. He laid down on the battle field, when Devi Kali accidentally kept her foot on chest of Lord Shiva, she was stunned and stopped there. Henceforth, the day is celebrated as triumph of good over evil.

Conclusion

Although, Diwali is a festival of celebrating inner peace and spiritual connection with self and light around you. Indeed, it is a festival of happiness, get to gether with family and friends, making rangoli and aplana, eating sweets and cleansing your home and workplaces thoroughly.

Furthermore, we will be covering the traditions and customs of Diwali in our upcoming blogs.Till then, enjoy reading and have a blessed time.

About Author

Akansha Agarwal

Namaste! AKANSHA AGARWAL is on a mission to help people to fall in love with India and its richest culture. She holds M.A. and B.A. in Mass communications. Her 12 years of work experience as a copywriter and content writer has marked her journey more fun and enthralling. She strongly believe in Karma and abide by the Niyama and Yama of Hinduism. She has been a spiritual seeker, Reiki healer, teacher, guide and mentor to many young minds. She would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading.

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