Diwali is also known as Deepavali, India’s biggest and most important widely celebrated festival, which is known as the “Happy Diwali 2024: Festival of Lights.” This festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. 

Millions of Indians across India and worldwide celebrate this auspicious occasion with family members and loved ones to make memorable moments by lighting oil lamps, fireworks, rangoli, and worshiping deities, mainly Goddess Lakshmi. 

However, there is so much confusion about the date for celebrating Diwali and When Choti Diwali 2024. Whether it’s October 31, 2024, or November 1, 2024?

As per Drik Panchang, diwali is going to be celebrated on October 31, 2024, and the festival spans 5 days of diwali of joy, rituals, and celebrations.

Diwali has deep spiritual meaning, amazing stories, and historical roots, making this festival more special in India. In this article, we will find out the significance of Deepavali, when the is deepavali festival celebrated, dates, and festivals span five days of shubh muhurat.

So, without any further delay, let’s dive in.

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Happy Diwali 2024: Dates & Shubh Muhurat

This year, Diwali falls on October 31, 2024, as per Drik Panchang. Here are the shubh muhurat of all five festivals of 2024 in the Hindu calendar:

Day 1. Dhanteras

Dhanteras 2024 date is the very first day of diwali in India, and on this special day, people celebrate wealth and good health, which is dedicated to Lord  Dhanvantari and the God of Ayurveda and health. On this special day, families clean and decorate their homes, symbolizing the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth. People often purchase new items, mainly gold and silver, as these purchases are believed to bring good fortune and happiness in the coming year.

Day 2. Choti Diwali

Choti Diwali is the second day and acts as a warm-up to the main Diwali celebration. On this day, families decorate their homes with colorful rangoli designs for lakshmi puja, light up oil lamps (or Diays), and use fresh flowers to decorate the home. These symbolize the victory of good over evil, and families come together to share the excitement.

Day 3. Diwali & Laxmi Puja

Diwali is the main day when families gather to worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. On this day, people decorate their homes with oil lamps, flowers, lighting, etc, and perform Laxmi Puja during the right muhurta (time). This prayer seeks blessings for wealth, happiness, and success in the coming year. After the puja, the people exchange gifts, enjoy sweets, light fireworks, and celebrate the victory of light over darkness the whole night.

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Day 4. Govardhan Puja

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna lifted a mountain (Govardhan Hill) to protect the people of Vrindavan from heavy rains. This act symbolizes Krishna’s protection of nature and mankind, which reminds people to respect and live in harmony with nature. On this day, people make small replicas of the mountain using food like rice and sweets as an offering. Also, devotees prepare many delicious dishes in a ritual called Annakut (meaning “mountain of food”) to thank Lord Krishna and later share as Prasad with family and the community.

Day 5. Bhai Dooj

The fifth and final day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj, a special day to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. It’s similar to Raksha Bandhan, where love, care, and protection are shared among siblings. On this day, sisters apply a tilak on their brother’s foreheads and pray for their long life and prosperity. In return, brothers promise to protect their sisters lifelong and give gifts to show their love and care. It’s a day to celebrate the bond between siblings and strengthen their relationship.

History of Deepavali 

Diwali, known as the “Festival of Lights,” is celebrated to mark the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, comes from Sanskrit, meaning “rows of lights,” and people light oil lamps to symbolize this victory.

A very special story behind the 2024 Diwali date in India comes from the Ramayana, where Lord Rama returns to his kingdom, Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile and defeating the demon king Ravana. All the people celebrated his return by lighting the whole city with lamps.

Since it was a no-moon night (Amavasya) when Rama returned, people lit lamps to welcome him and celebrate his victory over darkness as per the Hindu Panchang 2024 calendar.

In South India, people also believed that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi got married on this day.

Additionally, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune, plays a central role. According to legend, she left the divine world because of Indra’s arrogance, and after 1000 years of churning the ocean, she re-emerged, bringing light and fortune back to the world.

Numerous stories similarly indicate winning light over darkness with goodness and propensity.

How Diwali is Celebrated Across India?

Diwali is celebrated with prayers, decorations, and time spent with family members and loved ones. During this special Hindu festival 2024, people clean their homes, decorate with different items like rangoli, lights, and oil lamps, pray for good health, wealth, and happiness, and share a variety of sweets. During Diwali night, people lit up the sky with fireworks, adding to the joy and excitement of the festival. It strengthens their bonds and celebrates this special festival.

Social Significance of Diwali

Happy Diwali 2024 is not just a religious festival, it’s a festival that unites our society and strengthens the bonds with family and friends. This festival is also the biggest reason for spreading happiness and giving sweets and gifts to each other for closeness in relationships. Also, people take care of the needy on this day and help those who didn’t celebrate due to financial problems by giving fits, clothes, crackers, diwali puja items, and sweets at their homes. So that every home can celebrate Diwali and spread happiness, this festival itself is a symbol of lightening the world and overcoming darkness.

Conclusion

Overall, Happy Diwali 2024 will be celebrated on October 31, 2024, and this festival of lights will symbolize the victory of good over evil. It’s not just a festival to enjoy; this Diwali, people come together, spread happiness among others, and show acts of kindness in society. Diwali holds religious and social importance in strengthening relationships and helping those in need. Now, it’s your turn to celebrate Diwali like never before by spreading positivity and kindness and praying for good health, wealth, and happiness.