Diwali 2024: Date and Significance

Diwali 2024: As the festival season approaches, preparations are under for Diwali, one of the significant Hindu festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. Diwali, also known as Deepavali and is the Indian festival of light. Deepa means light, Vali denotes row, and Deepavali represents rows of light.

Diwali 2024: Date

Diwali is observed during the month of Kartik on the day of “Amavasyaa” or no moon day, usually in the month of the October or November. The date of celebrating Diwali depends on the movement of the moon and falls on a different date every year. This year, the joyous festival of light will fall on Friday, November 01, 2024, as per the Drikpanchamg.

Furthermore, Diwali is a five-day festival that starts with Dhanteras and ends with bhai Dooj. For Hindus, Deepavali is one of the most significant festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.

Diwali Five day festival:

• Diwali is the first-day festival that begins on Dhanteras. On this day, people buy jewellery or utensils and worship God. Dhanteras will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
• The second day is known as Naraka Chaturdashi. It marks the death of the demon king “Narakasura”. This day is also called Chhoti Diwali. Further, Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali will fall on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
• The third day of celebration of Diwali is the main day. On this day, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and offer prayers to bless them with wealth and prosperity.
• Fourth day of Diwali is marked by Govardhan Puja. As per the Hindu religion, Lord Shri Krishna once performed the Goverdhan Puja to protect people from heavy rains.
• Diwali is a five-day festival that ends with Bhai Dooj. On Bhai Dooj, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives by performing the Tika ceremony and brother give gifts to their sisters.

Why Diwali is celebrated:

Diwali is a symbol of celebration of the return of Lord Ram alongside Maa Sita and Lakshmana from 14 years of exile after defeating the demon king Ravana.

Moreover, Diwali is a major festival in India and is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.