Diwali 2024 Date: When is Deepawali? All You Need to Know About the 5 Days Festival of Lights

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India. Symbolized by the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil, this festival brings people together in a joyous spirit of celebration, devotion, and unity. Deepavali is known to be a grand event filled with vibrant celebrations, spiritual rituals and social gatherings.

Deepavali is rooted in ancient traditions and has deep spiritual significance. The word “Deepawali” translates to “row of lights” and its celebrations focus on lighting up the house and surroundings to welcome happiness and prosperity.

This festival commemorates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. His return is marked by the lighting of an oil lamp, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Diwali is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that worshiping these foods on this day will bring good harvest and good luck in the coming year.

When is Diwali 2024?

Diwali is a five-day celebration that begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhaiya Dooj. However, celebrations vary from region to region. In Maharashtra, Diwali starts a day early on Govatsa Dwadashi, while in Gujarat, the celebrations start two days early on Agyarath and ends on Labh Panchami.

Diwali 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 1. The five-day celebration will begin with the Dhanteras event on October 28 and end with the Bhaiya Dooj event on November 2.

Diwali 2024 dates in India

event

date and time

diwali 2024

November 1

Lakshmi Pooja Muhurat

05:36 PM to 06:16 PM (Duration: 41 minutes)

Amavasya Tithi Begins

October 31, 2024 03:52 pm

Amavasya Tithi End

November 1, 2024 06:16 pm

Source: Drikpanchang

Everything about the 5 Days of Diwali – Complete Calendar

Deepavali celebrations last for five days, each day having its own meaning and rituals:

date

sky

holiday name

October 29, 2024

Tuesday

Dentras

October 31, 2024

Thursday

Jyoti diwali

November 1, 2024

Friday

badi diwali

November 2, 2024

Saturday

Govardhan Puja

November 3, 2024

Sunday

Baiduji

Source: Drikpanchang

Dentras (October 29, 2024)

The first day of Diwali is dedicated to worshiping Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and healing. On this day, people buy gold, silver and new utensils to welcome prosperity and good luck. It is believed that purchasing valuable items in Dhanteras will bring wealth and abundance throughout the year.

Jyoti Diwali (October 31, 2024)

The next day, people celebrate Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Houses are cleaned and decorated, and earthen lamps are lit to banish evil darkness and welcome the positive. Many parts of India also commemorate this day with firecrackers.

Deepavali (November 1, 2024)

The main day of the festival is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. People offer prayers and perform Lakshmi puja in the evening to seek her blessings for wealth and prosperity. Houses are illuminated by rows of diyas and decorative lights, and families gather to share sweets, gifts and joy.

Govardhan Puja (November 2, 2024)

The fourth day is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Govardhan pooja. Devotees prepare various delicacies as offerings to Lord Krishna who symbolizes Anakut (mountain of food). The day also commemorates Lord Krishna raising Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers from heavy rains.

Bhai Dooj (November 3, 2024)

The fifth and last day of Deepavali is known as Bhai Dooj, a festival that commemorates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers to live long and prosper, and in return, the brothers promise to protect their sisters from harm. The exchange of gifts and sweets marks this wonderful day of brotherly love.

How to celebrate Diwali?

Deepavali is famous for its grand celebrations across India and around the world where many Indian communities live. The holiday is a joyful time when family and friends come together to celebrate togetherness, love and tradition.

  • Lighting of Diyas and Rangoli: Lighting of oil lamps (diyas) is one of the most prominent features of Deepavali. The flickering flames of the lights represent the victory of light over darkness. Rangoli designs, made of colored powders, flowers and rice, are decorated at the entrances of houses to welcome guests and deities.
  • Firecrackers: Fireworks and sparklers are synonymous with Diwali celebrations. Although the practice has become more regulated due to environmental concerns, the twinkling lights in the sky add to the festive atmosphere. Eco-friendly alternatives such as green biscuits are becoming increasingly popular to minimize pollution.
  • Exchange of gifts and sweets: Deepavali is a time to express love and gratitude. The exchange of gifts, sweets and dried fruits is a long-standing tradition among family, neighbors and friends. Popular sweets include laddu, barfi, kaju katli and gulab jamun.
  • Worship and Rituals: Worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha is an important part of Diwali. Lakshmi Puja is performed with devotion, seeking her blessings for financial success, happiness and family peace. Lord Ganesha is worshiped as the remover of obstacles and the provider of wisdom.

Deepavali 2024 is more than just a festival of lights; it is a celebration of life, prosperity and the eternal victory of good over evil. As people come together to celebrate, they embrace the values ​​of family, kindness and unity. The spirit of Deepavali reminds us to spread light in the darkest corners, share joy with others, and reflect on the blessings we have.

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