Will Diwali 2024 Be Celebrated On Oct 31 Or Nov 1?

With less than two weeks until the Festival of Lights, excitement fills the air, but so does confusion regarding the exact date of Diwali celebrations this year. Is it on October 31 or November 1? The answer varies based on your location in India.

In Maharashtra , Diwali festivities kick off a day early with Govatsa Dwadashi, while those in Gujarat start celebrating two days prior on Agyaras. The central event, Lakshmi Puja, is performed across the country when the Amavasya moon is visible. This year, many cities will observe Diwali on November 1, 2024.

Puja timings for Diwali 2024

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 5:36 PM to 6:16 PM (Duration: 41 minutes) on October 31, 2024.
Amavasya Tithi Begins: 3:52 PM on October 31, 2024.
Amavasya Tithi Ends: 6:16 PM on November 1, 2024.
For some regions, Diwali is a five-day celebration, with specific rituals for each day:

October 29, 2024 (Tuesday): Dhanteras
October 31, 2024 (Thursday): Choti Diwali
November 1, 2024 (Friday): Badi Diwali
November 2, 2024 (Saturday): Govardhan Puja
November 3, 2024 (Sunday): Bhai Dooj

Significance of Diwali

Diwali is primarily dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Additionally, devotees worship Lord Ganesha, who removes obstacles, along with other deities such as Goddess Saraswati and Lord Kuber. For business owners, Diwali is an auspicious time to initiate new financial ventures, leading to rituals for accounting books and seeking blessings for a fruitful year ahead.