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Diwali, the festival of lights, is set to illuminate India in 2024. The five-day long celebration begins with Dhanteras on Tuesday, October 29, culminating with Bhaiya Dooj. While the exact date of Diwali has been a source of confusion, the official date has been confirmed as Thursday, October 31. This is based on the fact that Diwali coincides with Amavasya, the new moon phase, which begins on October 31.
The confusion regarding the date stems from the different ways Diwali is celebrated across India. In North India, Deepawali marks the arrival of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, while in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it celebrates the day when Goddess Satyabhama and Lord Krishna killed demon Narakasura. This difference in tradition leads to variations in the timing of the celebrations.
According to Drik Panchang, Diwali will be celebrated on the Amavasya Tithi of the Kartik month. The auspicious Lakshmi Puja timings for October 31 are from 6:52 pm to 8:41 pm. This period also falls within Pradosh Kaal (6:10 pm to 8:52 pm) and Vrishabha Kaal (6:52 pm to 8:41 pm).
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson Sharad Sharma also confirmed the date of October 31 for Diwali. He stated that the festival coincides with Amavasya, which begins that afternoon. The five-day long Diwali festivities will begin with Dhanteras on October 29, followed by Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) on October 30, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on October 31, Govardhan Puja on November 1, and Bhaiya Dooj on November 2.
As Diwali approaches, the excitement for the festival builds up. From lighting diyas to sharing sweets, the festival is celebrated with joy and fervour across the country. The festive season is also a time for reflection and gratitude. While the exact date of Diwali may differ slightly across regions, the essence of the festival remains the same – a celebration of light and good over darkness and evil.