Diwali 2024 Date and Time: Wishes, Story, Puja Vidhi, Holiday or Not

Diwali is a festival of Hindus associated with lights (also called as festival of light) that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Not just Hindus, but people of Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism religion also celebrate the festival of Diwali with great pomp.

On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshiped and Her blessing is sought by the devotees. There are many stories behind this festival and each of them symbolizes the same thing. Check out complete details about Diwali 2023 such as its date, significance, how it is celebrated, what are the famous rituals and traditions, etc from this article.

Diwali Overview

Diwali Date in Different States of India

The festival of Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya of Kartika month in Hindu lunisolar calendar which usually falls in the month of October or November in the Gregorian calendar. In the year 2024, Diwali will be observed on Friday, 1, November 2024. Diwali is observed as a public holiday in majority of Indian states and mostly offices, banks and schools remain close on this day.

Here is the state-wise list of Deepawali holidays in 2024, 2025, 2026:

Story behind Diwali Celebration

There are many stories linked with the festival of Diwali. As per a legend, Diwali is the day on which Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years with his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and Lord Hanumana. The day of His return was amavasya and so the people of Ayodhya lit lamps and candles to see their lord and celebrate His return.

According to another legend, Diwali is celebrated on the day after Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura and took sixteen thousand imprisoned women as His wife. The day when Narakasura was killed is known as Naraka Chaturdashi and the victory of Lord Krishna (good) over Narakasura (evil) is celebrated the next day, i.e., on Diwali.

It is also believed that Goddess Lakshmi who was born from Samudra manthan performed by the devas and asuras took Lord Vishnu as his husband on the night of Diwali. It is therefore a tradition to worship Goddess Lakshmi on the occasion of Diwali. Along with Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha is also worshiped on the day of Diwali.

Significance of Diwali Festival

Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Whether it is related to Lord Rama, Lord Krishna or Goddess Lakshmi, the true meaning and essence of this festival remains the same- truth always prevails.

5 days of Diwali 2024

The festival of Diwali is celebrated twenty days after Dussehra and continues for a total of five days starting with Dhanteras.

Day 1: Dhanteras the first day of the festival when people clean and decorate their houses, buy new utensils and offer prayer to Lord Dhanvantri.

Day 2: Second day of the festival is Naraka Chaturdashi. On this day, people take a bath in til oil and speical puja is performed.

Day 3: Diwali is the third day on which main festivities are held and people celebrate the day by lighting diya and crackers.

Day 4: Next day after Diwali is the Govardhan Puja, a festival on which devotees worship Govardhan Hill.

Day 5: Fifth and last day of the festival is the Bhai Dooj, the day that celebrates the bond between brother and sister.

Maa Lakshmi Puja Vidhi

Bring the idol of Goddess Lakshmi to your home on the auspicious occasions of Diwali, make her wear pink, red, or yellow clothes. Bring makeup essentials of the goddess from your local market. You should put Mahavar on the feet of Maa Laxmi.

You should wear yellow, red or other brigth colours on Diwali and start Maa Lakshmi Poojan.

First of all, keep a चौकी in the north-east or eat direction and further lay either a pink or red cloth on it. First keep the idol of Lord Ganesha and then keep idol of Goddess Lakshmi at its right side. You need to offer sweets and flowers to Lord Gansha and Goddess Lakshmi. Chant the mantra of Lord Ganesha followed by Goddess Lakshmi. Perfom aarti at the end.

Celebrations

On the day of Diwali, people decorate their houses with flowers and make colorful rangoli. When the evening comes, people wear new clothes and engage in Lakshmi puja. Prayers are recited and offerings are made to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

Other deities like Saraswati, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanumana, or Kubera are also worshiped on this day. After this, people lit diyas, lamps, candles, etc and place them in and outside their homes.

Once the puja is done, people go outside and light up fireworks. When these festivities are over, people gather with their friends and family and enjoy a grand feast.

Diwali Wishes

1. May this Diwali bring endless joy and prosperity to your life. Happy Diwali!
2. Wishing you a festival of lights that brings happiness, health, and wealth to your life. Happy Diwali!
3. May the festival of lights illuminate your path and bring you joy and success in all your endeavors. Happy Diwali!
4. As you celebrate Diwali, may your life be filled with love, laughter, and good fortune. Happy Diwali!
5. On this auspicious occasion of Diwali, may the glow of the diyas light up your life with happiness and positivity. Happy Diwali!
6. May the festival of lights fill your home with warmth and your heart with love. Happy Diwali!
7. Wishing you and your family a Diwali filled with love, laughter, and togetherness. Happy Diwali!
8. May the divine light of Diwali bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to your life. Happy Diwali!
9. On this Diwali, may you be blessed with good health, wealth, and endless joy. Happy Diwali!
10. May the festival of Diwali bring you closer to your loved ones and strengthen the bonds of love and friendship. Happy Diwali!

Summary

People also refer Diwali as Deepavali , Dewali, Divali, or festival of light.

It is a popular Hindu festival which is celebrated for five days (in few regions, Diwali lasts for six days).

Diwali festival is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Newar Buddhists.

The festival is mainly associated to Maa Lakshmi, while in other regional traditions, it is also associated to Goddess Sita and Lord Rama, God Vishnu, God Krishna, Goddess Durga, God Shiva, Goddess Kali, God Hanuman, God Kubera, Yama, Yami, Vishvakarman, and Dhanvantari.

Diwali is also celebrated because on this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Maa Sita and God Lakshmana upon defeating the demon Ravana.

Rangoli design is also quite common on this day.

The day of Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Pakistan, Suriname, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Diwali 2023 date for different events: Govatsa Dwadashi- 9 Nov, Dhanteras/Yama Deepam- 10 Nov, Kali Chaudas/ Chhoti Diwali/ Hanuman Puja- 11 Nov, Lakshmi Puja/ Naraka Chaturdashi/ Kali Puja/ Kedar Gauri Vrat/ Sharda Puja- 12 Nov, Balipratipada/ Govardhan Puja/Gujarati New Year- 13 Nov, Vishwakarma Puja/ Bhai Dooj- 14 Nov

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