How to celebrate Diwali in 2024: Date, timings, history, and more

It is widely known that Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. As part of the Hindu, Jains, Sikh, and Buddhist communities, Diwali will be observed on November 1st in 2024, which is a day of immense joy and togetherness. As millions of people light lamps, ignite fireworks, exchange gifts, and offer prayers during Diwali, bringing communities together in a celebration of light, goodness, and prosperity.

People around the world hold a special place in their hearts for Diwali because of its rich history and religious significance. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Diwali 2024, including the date, timings, history, and the many ways in which this beautiful festival is celebrated today.

Date and time of Diwali 2024

In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on Friday, November 1st, which is the third day of the five-day festival. This day is known as Lakshmi Puja, which is dedicated to worshipping the goddess Lakshmi, a goddess of prosperity, wealth, and good fortune. It is a festival which begins with Dhanteras, and ends with Bhai Dooj. Every day of the festival has its own significance in terms of cultural and spiritual significance.

Muhurat and timings for Diwali 2024

  • Muhurat of Lakshmi Puja is from 6:10 PM to 8:05 PM (IST)
  • There will be a Pradosh Kaal from 5:40 PM to 8:10 PM (IST).
  • In the year 2024, Amavasya Tithi begins at 12:47 PM on October 31, 2024
  • On November 1, 2024, the Amavasya Tithi will end at 2:35 PM.

A Lakshmi Puja is performed during the Pradosh Kaal, which is the period right after sunset, as it is considered the most auspicious time to worship Goddess Lakshmi and get her blessings for success and wealth in the year to come. In order to invite prosperity into their lives, families clean and decorate their homes, light oil lamps (diyas), and offer prayers.

Diwali 2024

What is the history of Diwali?

As part of the Hindu calendar, Diwali is an important festival that has its roots in ancient Indian scripture and is steeped in mythology. The primary story behind Diwali is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. However, there are several other legends that have contributed to the festival’s significance.

In the Ramayana, Lord Rama is said to have defeated Ravana with the help of his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, before returning to Ayodhya with them. During this event, the people of Ayodhya lit rows of oil lamps (diyas) to celebrate his victory and illuminate the path to his home. This event symbolized that good triumphs over evil, light triumphs over darkness, and knowledge triumphs over ignorance.

As well as the story of Lord Rama, Diwali is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi, who is thought to visit homes on Diwali night to bless her devotees with wealth and prosperity. To ensure that the coming year is filled with abundance and success for their families, people clean their homes and decorate them with lights, rangolis, and flowers in order to welcome the goddess.

During Diwali, Jains celebrate the anniversary of Lord Mahavira’s liberation from the cycle of life and death, known as nirvana. As a celebration of Mahavira’s teachings, Diwali holds a spiritual significance in that it encourages people to follow the path of nonviolence and truth because it commemorates his teachings.

The celebration of Diwali for Sikhs is known as Bandi Chhor Divas, a day that commemorates the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, from imprisonment. It is a day of liberation and freedom, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and reverence by Sikhs all over the world.

How and Why Do We Celebrate Diwali? What is Diwali and why do we celebrate it?

As you may already know, Diwali or Deepavali is a festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time when families come together and share in the joy of the festival while offering prayers for a prosperous future.

“Deepavali” is derived from the Sanskrit words “deepa,” meaning lamp, and “avali,” meaning row, and is derived from the Sanskrit words “deepa,” meaning lamp. Its name signifies a row of lights, which is why it is often observed to light oil lamps (diyas) and to illuminate homes, streets, and temples with glowing lights during Deepavali.

What is the significance of Diwali and why do we celebrate it?

  • The purpose of this festival is to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
  • The purpose of this festival is to ask for blessings from Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity and wealth.
  • In many regions of India, the new year is celebrated by traders and merchants in order to mark the coming of the new year.
  • This is to commemorate the nirvana of Lord Mahavira in Jainism, inspiring followers to live lives based on truth and non-violence.
  • The purpose of this event is to celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind Ji and promote the values of freedom and justice in Sikhism.

While Diwali has different meanings for different communities, it is universally accepted that it is a time of renewal, hope, and celebrating life’s blessings, and that it should be celebrated by all.

The 10 Most Interesting Facts About Diwali

As a festival of joy, history, and beautiful traditions, Diwali is one of the most important celebrations of the year in India. Here are 10 interesting facts which showcase the significance of this amazing festival:

  • Besides being a one-day celebration, Diwali is a five-day celebration, each with its own rituals and meanings. There are five days in Diwali, each with its own rituals and meanings. This includes Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali), Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj.
  • Different stories across India: Diwali is celebrated by Indians for various reasons across the country. In the north, it is linked to Lord Rama’s return. While in western India, it marks the beginning of a new financial year for many business communities, in the south it commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura.
  • This tradition of drawing rangolis, intricate patterns made of colored powders, flowers, or rice, is an integral part of the celebration of Diwali, which takes place outside homes as a way to welcome good fortune and prosperity to the home.
  • As a global celebration, Diwali is not just limited to India. It is celebrated by Indian communities up and down the globe, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
  • Good prevailing over Evil: At its core, Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, symbolizing good prevailing over evil forces and the triumph of goodness and purity over them.
  • During the third day of Diwali, every household performs Lakshmi Puja, invoking the goddess of wealth and prosperity to bless their homes and businesses for the coming year, to ensure prosperity and happiness for everyone involved.
  • During Diwali, oil lamps (diyas) are lit to dispel darkness and invite light into the house – a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and positivity, and signifies the dispersal of darkness and the entry of light.
  • A key tradition of Diwali is the exchange of gifts, sweets, and warm wishes with family and friends. This helps strengthen ties within communities and spreads joy throughout the world.
  • As the awareness of the importance of celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly manner has grown over the past few years, there has been a growing trend of using biodegradable decorations and reducing the use of fireworks during the celebrations.
  • Its importance for the business community: Diwali, the festival of lights, is particularly significant for traders and business owners. For many, Diwali marks the start of a new financial year. Businesses often perform rituals to make sure that the forthcoming year will be prosperous.

There are five ways in which people celebrate Diwali today.

It is hard to imagine how the festival of Diwali would be celebrated without the inclusion of new practices and customs that have been blended with age-old traditions. Today, people celebrate Diwali in a diversity of ways, with modern customs adding to the festival’s appeal.

  • There is something very special about Diwali. It is a time when homes are adorned with beautifully designed rangolis and rows of diyas as well as fairy lights. The decoration serves more than just a decorative purpose—it is believed to bring prosperity and ward off negative energies.
  • There are several types of fireworks and sparklers available today and there are many alternatives that can be used to reduce pollution without causing any harm to the environment. Fireworks and sparklers are a beloved tradition of people of all ages.
  • Shopping for New Clothes and Gifts: Diwali is a time to embrace renewal, and clothing is a symbol of this new beginning. Families also exchange gifts, sweets, and hampers to show their gratitude to one another and show their affection for one another.
  • There is no doubt that food plays an important role in the celebration of Diwali, with families preparing or buying special festive dishes, as well as mithais (sweets) such as ladoos, barfis, and jalebis, which are shared with friends and loved ones.
  • A trend of sending virtual greetings, attending virtual pujas, and even hosting on-line Diwali parties has become increasingly popular with the rise of technology. Many people now send digital greetings, attend online pujas, and even host their own online Diwali parties. This trend became popular during the pandemic and continues today as a way to stay in contact with loved ones around the world.

Best wishes for the festival of Diwali

In the spirit of the festival of Diwali, the tradition of sending heartfelt greetings to friends, family members, and colleagues is a cherished tradition that allows people to spread happiness and share in the joy and spirit of the celebration. Here are some meaningful greetings that you can send in order to wish someone a happy and prosperous Diwali:

  • Greetings and best wishes to you and your family on this special occasion of Diwali. We wish you and your family an abundance of joy, love, and prosperity. Have a very happy Diwali!”
  • It is my sincere wish that the divine light of Diwali will blanket your life with peace, prosperity, happiness, and good health for the coming year. Happy Diwali to you and your loved ones.
  • My heartfelt wishes for you on Diwali are the brightness of the diya, the sweetness of the mithai, and an endless supply of happiness. Happy Diwali!
  • It is my wish that the festival of lights fills your home with joy, positivity, and success. Happy Diwali!”
  • On this beautiful occasion of Diwali, may your life be filled with happiness, good health, and prosperity. Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year.

Frequently Asked Questions

During Diwali, light triumphs over darkness, and good triumphs over evil, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya as well as to celebrate Goddess Lakshmi who is the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Diwali is a five-day festival, beginning with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj. The most important day is Lakshmi Puja, which falls on the third day.

In order to celebrate this occasion, many rituals are performed, such as cleaning and decorating the home, performing Lakshmi Puja, lighting diyas, and bursting fireworks, as well as exchanging sweets and gifts with family and friends.

The significance of Diwali differs from region to region. In North India, the festival celebrates the return of Lord Rama, in South India, it marks Lord Krishna’s defeat of Narakasura, and in Western India, it marks the beginning of a new financial year.

The festival is popular for its sweets, like samosas, kachoris, and namkeen, and tasty snacks, like samosas, jalebis, and barfis, as well as its savory snacks, like samosas, jalebis, and barfis.

In order to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali, you should reduce the use of fireworks, choose biodegradable diyas, and decorate with natural, reusable materials like flowers and clay to create a festive atmosphere.