Diwali is a festival that needs no description because everyone in India and many other countries knows about it. It is the festival of lights, celebrated with full excitement and energy.
Diwali signifies many things, such as the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. This festival brings families and friends together, who celebrate by decorating their houses, making rangolis, and eating a variety of delicacies.
You can see colourful decorations and beautiful lights hanging around the house everywhere you go. But when will we celebrate this year? Let’s learn more about when is Diwali in 2024, its celebration, importance, and mahurat.
When is Diwali in 2024?
Are you also confused about the Diwali dates? Don’t worry! You can enjoy and celebrate the festival on Friday, November 1st.
Diwali dates are not fixed for every year and keep changing because, according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, they change every year.
Diwali dates mostly fall in October or November because these months are known to have the darkest night (Amavasya) of the Kartika month.
Importance of the Diwali Festival
People have celebrated Diwali for many years, and it has been part of Hindu tradition for a long time. This festival even has its traces back to legends from Hindu mythology.
First, the people of Ayodhya lit the Diyas after Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya. It was to celebrate his arrival after 14 years of exile and his victory over King Ravana, leading to the birth of the festival’s tradition of decorating the homes and streets with light.
It is also significant because many believe the Diwali Puja is done to worship the Goddess Lakshmi, a deity of wealth and prosperity.
You must have heard your family or many people saying she blesses homes with abundance. That is why you decorate and clean the house and paste the stickers of Goddess Lakshmi’s feet on your home entrance. Diwali also reminds you to let go of negative thoughts and embrace positivity.
Muhurat for Diwali Pooja 2024
We know when is Diwali in 2024 date, that is, November 1, 2024. But what is the ideal Diwali pooja mahurat or the auspicious time for performing the Diwali rituals and Lakshmi Puja?
The Amavasya Tithi will begin on October 31, 2024, at 3:52 p.m. and ends on November 1, 2024, at 6:16 p.m.
The Deepavali Lakshmi Puja shubh muhurat or Laxmi pujan time is expected to take place from 5:36 p.m. to 6:16 p.m., but it is always best to consult a pandit or astrologer for exact Diwali timings. The Pradosh Kaal timings are from 5:36 to 8:11 p.m.
How is Diwali Celebrated?
Do you also want to know the 5 festivals that are celebrated during Diwali? Yes, the enjoyment and excitement of the Diwali festival continue for five days, and each day has its unique significance. Here is how Diwali is celebrated.
Day 1: Dhanteras
The festival vibes and celebration begin with Dhanteras. On this day, people buy new steel utensils, whether glasses, spoons, forks, bowls, or any other utensils. It is believed to bring good fortune, and many also purchase gold or silver.
Day 2: Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi
The next day is celebrated as Choti Diwali, and people decorate their homes and make rangolis with great joy. This day also depicts Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.
Day 3: Diwali Day and Lakshmi Puja
The third day is important because it is when the main Diwali day is celebrated, and Lakshmi Puja is performed. People place Diyas and candles around their homes.
The family plays games and eats together the delicious dishes made for the Diwali festival. The veg cook for home in Noida can also help prepare the dishes, while you can manage other tasks and puja.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja (Annakut)
Govardhan Puja is performed after Diwali when all the shops are closed and no machines are used. This day is also celebrated by offering food to Lord Krishna to honour him, as he lifted Govardhan hill to protect villagers from a storm.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj is celebrated by sister doing the tilak of their brother and eating sweets together. It is the same as rakhi, but you don’t tie rakhi on Bhai Dooj.
Key Traditions of Diwali
Diwali involves various traditions that make the festival fun and increase the festive vibes. Some of the traditions for Diwali are:
1) Cleaning Homes
The home is cleaned from every corner to each area of the house. People usually take the help of their 24-hour maid or domestic helper to clean their home thoroughly.
2) Hanging Lights
During Diwali, lights are hung all around the house. This lights up your home and adds to the festive vibes. Many even hang star-shaped, leaf-shaped, diya-shaped string lights and many other lights inside or outside their home.
3) Lighting Diyas and Decorating Homes
One of the best parts of Diwali is lighting oil lamps or diyas. People decorate their homes with Diwali-themed decorations, such as flameless light candles, handcrafted diya-shaped flower bowls, handmade wall decor, lotus, and other decorations.
4) Making Rangoli
Many people also decorate their homes with rangolis at the entrance of homes. They use coloured powders, flowers, or rice to make different rangoli designs. It is a welcoming gesture and a way to bring good luck.
5) Firecrackers
Firecrackers are now banned in many cities and states, but people used to use them earlier, making the festival more lively and vibrant. However, they also used to cause noise and air pollution.
6) Sharing Gifts and Sweets
What is Diwali without gifts and sweets? This festival is celebrated by exchanging gifts and sweets with family, friends, and relatives. Different varieties of sweets, such as laddus, barfis, and kaju katlis, are shared, which adds sweetness to the overall celebration.
Importance of Lakshmi Puja
We worship Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, and that is why we perform the Lakshmi Puja. She is believed to visit the clean, well-lit, and welcoming home.
As she is the deity of wealth and prosperity, it is believed the Puja will help the devotees receive blessings and will also bring abundance, wealth, and happiness to the home.
The puja even removes negative energy, creating a positive environment around the house.
Rituals Performed During Lakshmi Puja
Laksmi Puja is a significant Diwali ritual often performed in your home and office. The house is thoroughly cleaned and decorated with lights, flowers, and rangoli.
The small platform is also prepared with a clean cloth where the family sets everything for the Lakshmi Puja. The Puja begins by offering fruits, flowers, panchamrit, coins, and many other things.
The prayers and mantras are chanted, starting with Lord Ganesha and then with Goddess Lakshmi, to seek their blessings.
Mantras dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi help seek blessings for wealth, prosperity, and abundance. Then, the aarti is performed by lighting the kumkum by all the family members.
Recommended Reads: House Cleaning for Diwali Tips to Make Your Home Sparkle and Shine
How to Celebrate the Eco-Friendly Diwali?
Many nowadays prefer eco-friendly practices for Diwali celebrations. It helps preserve the environment and make the festival more meaningful without using firecrackers. Here are a few tips for a green and sustainable Diwali.
- Use earthen diyas made from clay instead of electric lights, as they can also be reused next year.
- Create rangoli designs using natural ingredients like rice, flour, and flower petals instead of synthetic colours.
- Avoid using firecrackers, or you can organize an event with light displays or laser shows.
- Use Diwali decorations made from biodegradable materials, such as paper and natural fabrics.
Conclusion
Diwali is an auspicious and significant festival in India, which is celebrated with full excitement. People clean their houses, buy new clothes, and decorate their homes during or before Diwali.
If you want help cleaning and decorating your home, consider hiring a maid service in Noida and Delhi.
But when is Diwali in 2024? Diwali 2024 is on 1 November 2024, while all the festivals will begin on 29 October with Dhanteras and end on 3 November with Bhai Dooj.
The Diwali traditions include hanging lights, decorating homes, lighting diyas, making rangoli, and sharing gifts and sweets. It makes the festive season more enjoyable and exciting.
The Lakshmi Puja is performed on Diwali to seek Goddess Lakshmi's blessings for wealth, prosperity, abundance, and happiness. You can also celebrate the eco-friendly Diwali by using eco-friendly products and decorations. So, celebrate this Diwali your way, and Happy Diwali.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 What is the date of Diwali in 2024?
Ans The date of Diwali in 2024 is November 1st, followed by Dhanteras and Choti Diwali.
Q2 What time is Laxmi Puja in 2024?
Ans The time for Lamxi Puja in 2024 is around 06:47 PM to 08:21 PM. These timings can vary, so consider consulting the pandits or those aware of the particular timings.
Q3 What are the 5 days of Diwali?
Ans The 5 days of Diwali are Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, Diwali day or Lakshmi Pujan, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.
Q4 What is the significance of Lakshmi Puja?
Ans The Lakshmi Puja is performed to honour the Goddess Lakshmi and invite prosperity and abundance into homes during Diwali.
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