When is Diwali 2024? The festival starts on 29 Oct with Dhanteras and ends on 3 Nov with Bhai Dooj, with Lakshmi Puja on 1 Nov. Discover key dates and rituals.
When is Diwali 2024- A Five Day Festival of Lights
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a vibrant five-day festival that typically begins 20 days after Vijayadashami (Dussehra). Starting with Dhanteras, the festival continues with Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali), Lakshmi Puja (Badi Diwali), Annakoot (Govardhan Puja), and concludes with Bhai Dooj. Each day holds special significance, symbolizing prosperity, the triumph of good over evil, and the celebration of family bonds. If you’re wondering when is Diwali 2024, the festival will be celebrated from 29 October to 3 November. Learn more about the Diwali date 2024, including key rituals and spiritual meanings.
Diwali 2024: Overview of the 5 Days
When is Diwali 2024: Diwali 2024 will begin on Tuesday, 29 October, and end on Sunday, 3 November. As one of the most celebrated festivals in India and by communities across the world, Diwali is a time to reflect on spiritual values, welcome prosperity, and gather with loved ones. The festival starts with Dhanteras, where people buy new items for their homes, and ends with Bhai Dooj, celebrating sibling bonds. Houses are cleaned, decorated, and lit with oil lamps (diyas), symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
Diwali 2024 Date and Puja Timings
- Dhanteras (Tuesday, 29 October 2024)
- Puja Time: 6:31 PM to 8:13 PM
- Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali (Thursday, 31 October 2024)
- Morning Puja Time: 5:20 AM to 6:32 AM
- Choti Diwali Puja Time: 6:41 PM to 8:25 PM
- Lakshmi Puja / Badi Diwali (Friday, 1 November 2024)
- India Puja Time: 5:36 PM to 6:16 PM
- North & South America: Thursday, 31 October 2024, 5:40 PM to 7:18 PM
- Europe & Africa: Thursday, 31 October 2024, 7:30 PM to 8:34 PM
- Asia, Middle East, Australasia: Friday, 1 November 2024, 5:36 PM to 6:16 PM
- Annakoot / Govardhan Puja (Saturday, 2 November 2024)
- Morning Puja Time: 7:32 AM to 9:27 AM
- Evening Puja Time: 3:12 PM to 3:51 PM
- Bhai Dooj (Sunday, 3 November 2024)
- Puja Time: 1:16 PM to 3:11 PM
Day 1: Dhanteras – Welcoming Wealth and Prosperity
When is Diwali 2024-Day 1
The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day dedicated to wealth and prosperity. The name “Dhanteras” is derived from “Dhan” (wealth) and “Teras” (the thirteenth day of the Hindu calendar month, Kartik). It’s customary to buy new items such as gold, silver, or kitchen utensils, as they are believed to bring good fortune.
People clean their homes and light diyas to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and medicine. Some families also perform the Dhanvantri Yagna for well-being. Another important ritual on Dhanteras is lighting the Yama Deepam, a small lamp placed in the southern part of the home to appease Yama, the god of death, and protect the household from untimely death.
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi – Celebrating the Triumph of Good Over Evil
When is Diwali 2024-Day 2
Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as Choti Diwali, marks the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. In Southern India, this day is also celebrated as Diwali. People wake up early for a traditional oil bath, believed to purify the body and soul.
In Gujarat, Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated with Hanuman Puja, as devotees worship Lord Hanuman for protection from evil spirits. It coincides with Kali Chaudas in some regions, believed to be a night when negative energies roam freely, and the worship of Hanuman protects devotees from harm.
Day 3: Lakshmi Puja – The Main Diwali Festival
When is Diwali 2024-Day 3
The third day of Diwali is the most significant, marked by Lakshmi Puja, which celebrates the birth of Goddess Lakshmi from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan). Homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated to invite Goddess Lakshmi, and people perform prayers to seek her blessings for prosperity.
Families gather for elaborate pujas, where Lord Ganesha and other deities like Kubera, the god of wealth, are also honored. After the puja, families feast on delicious meals, exchange gifts, and light fireworks in celebration.
Day 4: Annakoot / Govardhan Puja – Offering Gratitude
When is Diwali 2024-Day 4
The fourth day of Diwali is known as Annakoot or Govardhan Puja, celebrating Lord Krishna’s protection of the villagers from heavy rains by lifting Mount Govardhan. This day also marks the first day of the bright fortnight in the lunisolar calendar.
In many temples, a 56 Bhog or a mountain of food is prepared as an offering to Lord Krishna. In rural communities, people create mini replicas of Mount Govardhan using natural materials like cow dung to celebrate Krishna’s miraculous feat. In Maharashtra and other states, this day is also celebrated as Balipratipada, marking the return of King Bali to Earth.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj – Celebrating Sibling Bonds
When is Diwali 2024-Day 5
The final day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj, a day dedicated to celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. According to legend, Yamuna, the sister of Yama (the god of death), invited her brother for a meal on this day, and Yama granted her a boon that any brother who visits his sister on Bhai Dooj would be blessed with a long and healthy life.
Sisters perform a small ceremony, applying a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and praying for their well-being, while brothers give gifts to show their appreciation and protection.
Significance of Diwali – Beyond Lights and Fireworks
At its core, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It’s a time for spiritual reflection, renewal, and new beginnings. While the festival has roots in Hindu mythology, it is widely celebrated across cultures and religions, with families coming together to share joy, food, and festive traditions.
Conclusion
When is Diwali 2024-Diwali 2024, from 29 October to 3 November, promises to be a celebration of lights, joy, and prosperity. Each day of this five-day festival carries deep spiritual and cultural significance, with traditions that have been passed down through generations. Whether it’s the wealth of Dhanteras, the victory of Naraka Chaturdashi, or the sibling love of Bhai Dooj, Diwali brings families and communities together in celebration of life, light, and happiness.
Frequently Asked Questions –When is Diwali 2024
- When is Diwali 2024?
- Diwali 2024 will be celebrated from Tuesday, 29 October, to Sunday, 3 November.
- What is the significance of Lakshmi Puja during Diwali?
- Lakshmi Puja is performed to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, for the upcoming year.
- Why do people light diyas during Diwali?
- Diyas are lit to symbolize the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
- What is the story behind Govardhan Puja?
- Govardhan Puja commemorates Lord Krishna’s act of lifting Mount Govardhan to protect villagers from floods caused by Indra’s anger.
- Why is Bhai Dooj celebrated?
- Bhai Dooj honors the bond between brothers and sisters, with sisters praying for their brothers’ long life and happiness.
- Why is Dhanteras important in Diwali?
- Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali and is a day dedicated to wealth and prosperity. It is considered an auspicious day to buy gold, silver, and other valuable items.
- How is Naraka Chaturdashi different from Lakshmi Puja?
- Naraka Chaturdashi celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura and is observed as Choti Diwali, while Lakshmi Puja is the main day of Diwali, focused on worshipping Goddess Lakshmi.
- What is the significance of the Yama Deepam?
- The Yama Deepam is lit on Dhanteras to please Yama, the god of death, and to protect the household from untimely death.