Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is a five-day festival that brings joy, celebration, and light to homes across India and the world. Falling on the 15th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. In 2024, the celebrations start on October 29 and culminate on November 3. Let’s dive into each day’s significance and how it is celebrated.
Day 1: Dhanteras – Welcoming Prosperity
Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali and symbolises the beginning of the festivities. It is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Kuber, the god of riches. On this day, Hindus pray for prosperity and purchase valuable items like gold jewellery or new utensils, which are believed to bring good fortune for the coming year. Homes are cleaned and decorated to welcome the goddess, and people prepare for the celebrations ahead.
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi – Triumph Over Evil
The second day, known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, commemorates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. It is a reminder of the triumph of good over evil. On this day, homes are adorned with oil lamps (diyas) and rangoli, intricate patterns made from coloured powders. In some regions, people also burst firecrackers to mark this victory. Early morning oil baths are a ritual performed to purify oneself and begin the day on a fresh note.
Day 3: Diwali – The Main Festival of Lights
The third day, Diwali, is the most important day of the five-day festival. It marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana. People celebrate by lighting earthen diyas, decorating homes with twinkling lights, and offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for prosperity and good fortune. Families come together to perform Lakshmi Puja, seeking blessings for wealth and happiness in the coming year. Fireworks light up the sky, symbolising the joy and excitement of this grand occasion.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja – Honouring Nature’s Bounty
Govardhan Puja, celebrated the day after Diwali, honours the legendary lifting of the Govardhan mountain by Lord Krishna. It is a day to express gratitude to nature, especially to food and agriculture, for sustaining life. Devotees create a symbolic mound of cow dung to represent the Govardhan mountain and offer prayers. Special meals are prepared and shared with family members, continuing the spirit of community and togetherness.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj – Celebrating Sibling Bonds
The final day of Diwali, Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhau Beej or Bhaiya Dooj, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform a ritual by applying a tilak (vermillion mark) on their brothers’ foreheads and praying for their well-being, while brothers promise to protect their sisters. It is a day of family reunions, exchanging gifts, and cherishing the love shared between siblings, closing the Diwali celebrations on a heartfelt note.
Diwali 2024 : Key Dates and Muhurat Timings
In 2024, Diwali falls on October 31, with Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) and Lakshmi Puja occurring on the same day. The auspicious times for Lakshmi Puja are from 6:52 pm to 8:41 pm. It is essential to perform the rituals within this window to maximise blessings for prosperity and happiness.
Each Diwali tradition carries deep cultural and religious significance. The lighting of lamps symbolises dispelling darkness and ignorance, while the colourful rangoli is meant to welcome prosperity into the home. The prayers and rituals offered to Goddess Lakshmi ensure that the coming year is filled with wealth and good fortune. Overall, Diwali serves as a reminder of the eternal triumph of light over darkness and the importance of family and community.
As families come together to celebrate, Diwali fosters unity, joy, and spiritual reflection. From the exchange of sweets to the reverence of age-old traditions, the festival creates lasting memories and deepens the bonds of love and friendship.
Day 1: Dhanteras – Welcoming Prosperity
Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali and symbolises the beginning of the festivities. It is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Kuber, the god of riches. On this day, Hindus pray for prosperity and purchase valuable items like gold jewellery or new utensils, which are believed to bring good fortune for the coming year. Homes are cleaned and decorated to welcome the goddess, and people prepare for the celebrations ahead.
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi – Triumph Over Evil
The second day, known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, commemorates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura. It is a reminder of the triumph of good over evil. On this day, homes are adorned with oil lamps (diyas) and rangoli, intricate patterns made from coloured powders. In some regions, people also burst firecrackers to mark this victory. Early morning oil baths are a ritual performed to purify oneself and begin the day on a fresh note.
Day 3: Diwali – The Main Festival of Lights
The third day, Diwali, is the most important day of the five-day festival. It marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana. People celebrate by lighting earthen diyas, decorating homes with twinkling lights, and offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for prosperity and good fortune. Families come together to perform Lakshmi Puja, seeking blessings for wealth and happiness in the coming year. Fireworks light up the sky, symbolising the joy and excitement of this grand occasion.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja – Honouring Nature’s Bounty
Govardhan Puja, celebrated the day after Diwali, honours the legendary lifting of the Govardhan mountain by Lord Krishna. It is a day to express gratitude to nature, especially to food and agriculture, for sustaining life. Devotees create a symbolic mound of cow dung to represent the Govardhan mountain and offer prayers. Special meals are prepared and shared with family members, continuing the spirit of community and togetherness.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj – Celebrating Sibling Bonds
The final day of Diwali, Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhau Beej or Bhaiya Dooj, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform a ritual by applying a tilak (vermillion mark) on their brothers’ foreheads and praying for their well-being, while brothers promise to protect their sisters. It is a day of family reunions, exchanging gifts, and cherishing the love shared between siblings, closing the Diwali celebrations on a heartfelt note.
Diwali 2024 : Key Dates and Muhurat Timings
In 2024, Diwali falls on October 31, with Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) and Lakshmi Puja occurring on the same day. The auspicious times for Lakshmi Puja are from 6:52 pm to 8:41 pm. It is essential to perform the rituals within this window to maximise blessings for prosperity and happiness.
- Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 6:52 pm – 8:41 pm
- Pradosh Kaal: 6:10 pm – 8:52 pm
- Vrishabha Kaal: 6:52 pm – 8:41 pm
- Amavasya Tithi Begins: 6:22 am on October 31
- Amavasya Tithi Ends: 8:46 am on November 1
Each Diwali tradition carries deep cultural and religious significance. The lighting of lamps symbolises dispelling darkness and ignorance, while the colourful rangoli is meant to welcome prosperity into the home. The prayers and rituals offered to Goddess Lakshmi ensure that the coming year is filled with wealth and good fortune. Overall, Diwali serves as a reminder of the eternal triumph of light over darkness and the importance of family and community.
As families come together to celebrate, Diwali fosters unity, joy, and spiritual reflection. From the exchange of sweets to the reverence of age-old traditions, the festival creates lasting memories and deepens the bonds of love and friendship.
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