Diwali 2024: Puja Timings, Rituals, Dates & Celebrations

Diwali is not just a festival for us Indians, it is emotion, joy, memory, and whatnot! Even today, when the first crackle of a firecracker splits the evening air, we go back to our childhood, where the anticipation of Diwali would begin weeks in advance. The sweet aroma of freshly made laddus and the colorful rangolis painted by mothers were more than just rituals. Now, as we prepare to celebrate Diwali once more, these memories remind us of the true spirit of the festival!

When is Diwali 2024: Date and Timings

Diwali, or Deepawali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated with immense joy and enthusiasm across India and beyond. It is a five-day festival that begins with Dhanteras and concludes with Bhai Dooj.

Diwali falls on the Amavasya night of the Hindu month of Kartik, also known as Kartik Amavasya. It is the day when Lord Rama returned to his Ayodhya Nagari. We will discuss the significance of Diwali in detail later. 

On Diwali night, homes and streets are illuminated with diyas and candles. People wear new clothes, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods.

In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on Friday, November 1st. The most auspicious time for the Diwali puja, according to Drikpanchang, is between 5:36 PM and 6:16 PM. The festival will be observed after a one-day gap following Dhanteras on October 29th and Choti Diwali on October 31st, aligning with the traditional Hindu lunar calendar.

Here is a breakdown of the auspicious tithi:

Amavasya Tithi Timings

Why is Diwali celebrated? History and Significance

Deepavali or Diwali, is a significant Hindu holiday with deep cultural and spiritual meaning. Diwali’s roots are found in the legends of ancient Hinduism. The tale states that after slaying the demon king Ravana, Lord Rama -the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu – returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya. In the Indian text, Ramayana, Diwali is when Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.

It represents the triumph of knowledge over ignorance, light over darkness, and good over evil. Ramayana has a detailed description of how Aayodhabasi decorated the entire city to welcome their beloved king. They lit up diyas everywhere. Diya lighting symbolizes the inner light that guards against spiritual darkness. The night they returned, the people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama with diyas (earthen lamps) and rangolis (colored patterns) adorning their homes, as it was a no-moon day (Amavasya) in the Hindu month of Kartik.

In South India, Deepavali marks Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura and is also believed to be the day Lord Vishnu married Goddess Lakshmi. Some legends suggest that Goddess Lakshmi was born on Kartik month’s new moon. That’s the reason why people worship Goddess Laxmi on this day.

Deepavali is celebrated all across the world with immense joy as the festival of lights. People worship Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and their valuable belongings at home. After the puja, people love to share sweets and gifts with kin and kin. The celebration continues with the lighting of diyas and bursting of crackers and is enjoyed by all!

Rituals of Diwali

Diwali is widely observed as a national festival in India. The festival goes along the five days of celebrations, beginning with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj. On Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, people start to celebrate.

All five days, having their meaning, are celebrated accordingly. The deity Narakasura was slain by Lord Krishna on the second day. Whereas the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, is worshiped on the third day, Amavasya. The fourth day is dedicated to Govardhan Puja, while the last day is dedicated to honoring Bhai Dooj. Sisters honor their brothers on this day and pray for long life and good health.

Around Diwali, Maharashtrians have a special affection for cows and their calves. We call this Vasu Baras.

In Southern India, people celebrate Diwali as a festival to commemorate the homecoming of their King Mahabali. They decorate their homes with flowers and cow dung. On this day, the Govardhan Puja concludes for them.

Whereas in Bengal and a few other states in Eastern India, this day is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali. Diwali is known as Shyama puja there.

Rangoli design for Diwali 2024

Flower Petals Rangoli

A colorful, environmentally friendly Diwali rangoli can be made with flower petals. This is to represent wealth and hope amid the festivities. Vibrant petals like rose, marigold, and jasmine can be used to make intricate designs that will suffice your porch or puja area with a fragrant aroma and natural beauty. This will make the joyful mood even more intense.

Sand Color Rangoli

During festivals like Diwali, a customary art form is sand color rangoli. This creates elaborate pictures on the ground using colored sand. These colorful designs give festivities a dynamic, creative flair while representing luck and hope. The elaborate, beautiful designs made possible by the fine sand captivate onlookers.

Ganesha Rangoli

Ganesha rangoli for Diwali features the auspicious picture of Lord Ganesha, a symbol of wisdom and prosperity. This rangoli is made with vibrant colors, flowers, or diyas and is typically placed near the entrance or puja area. Its artistic and sacred portrayal exalts joy and invokes the benefits of God.

Peacock Rangoli

Diwali is the festival of grace and prosperity, the peacock rangoli, embodies the elegance and beauty of the peacock. This intricate design, which is often made with vibrant colors and intricate feathers, adds a regal touch to your holiday decor and symbolizes joy and positive energy.

Earthen Diya Decoration

Earthen diya decoration for Diwali means beautifully arranging traditional clay lamps, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. These days are often painted or adorned with intricate designs and placed at doorways, windows, and altars. Their warm glow enhances the festive ambiance, spreading positivity and welcoming prosperity into the home.

Alpana Designs

Alpana designs for Diwali are traditional floor decorations made with rice paste or powdered colors. Originating from Bengal, these intricate patterns often depict lotus flowers, conch shells, and other auspicious symbols. Alpana enhances the festive atmosphere, symbolizing purity and invoking divine blessings while adding an elegant touch to Diwali celebrations.

Diya with Flower Petals

Traditional oil lamps can be surrounded by vibrant flower petals in a diya design on Diwali. This subtle yet elegant element gives your festivity decor a brilliant, aromatic explosion while highlighting the warm, inviting feel of the diyas. It stands for attracting heavenly benefits into your home, affluence, and purity.

Stairs Decoration

With Diwali staircase decor, which often consists of rangoli, fairy lights, and flower garlands, your staircase might transform into a joyful scene. In addition to enhancing the atmosphere during the Diwali celebrations, this vibrant decor greets visitors with warmth and cheer and symbolizes the ascent toward success and happiness.

Corner Designs

Room corners can be decorated for Diwali with rangoli designs in various colors, fairy lights, traditional lamps, and flower rangolis. These decorations create a warm and inviting atmosphere that enhances the festivities and distributes joy throughout the house by adding a festive touch to unutilized spaces.

Marigold Decorations

For Diwali, marigold flowers in vibrant orange and yellow are used to make garlands, torans, and floral arrangements. Their vivid colors attract our minds from above and radiate happiness throughout the house. They also add to the cheerful ambiance and lend the decor a vintage feel. These colors represent prosperity and promise.