Diwali 2024 Date: The festival of Diwali, which lasts for about 5 days from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, is celebrated in many countries of the world including India and Nepal. Diwali is also called the Festival of Lights. Because Diwali means row of lamps. The festival of Diwali shows the victory of light over darkness. In the coming year 2024, Diwali festival will be celebrated on 31st October.
Method of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali
There is a special ritual of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, destroyer of obstacles Lord Ganesha and Mother Saraswati are worshiped during the auspicious time in the evening and night. According to the Puranas, on the dark night of Kartik Amavasya, Mahalakshmi herself comes to earth and visits every house. During this time, in a house which is clean and bright in every way, she resides in a partial form, hence on Diwali, by cleaning and worshiping her as per the rituals, Goddess Mahalakshmi gets special blessings. Along with Lakshmi Puja, Kuber Puja is also performed. These things should be kept in mind during worship.
1. Before worshiping Lakshmi on the day of Diwali, clean the house and sprinkle Ganga water in the entire house for purification and purity of the environment. Also make a series of rangoli and lamps at the entrance of the house.
2. Place a stool at the place of worship and spread a red cloth and place the idols of Lakshmi ji and Ganesh ji on it or put a picture of Lakshmi ji on the wall. Keep an urn filled with water near the post.
3. Apply Tilak on the idols of Mata Lakshmi and Ganesh ji and light a lamp and offer water, mouli, rice, fruits, jaggery, turmeric, abir-gulal etc. and praise Mata Mahalakshmi.
4. Along with this, worship Goddess Saraswati, Maa Kali, Lord Vishnu and Kuber Dev as per the rituals.
5. Mahalakshmi puja should be done by the entire family together.
6. After worshiping Mahalakshmi, worship the safe, account books and business equipment.
7. After worship, give sweets and Dakshina to the needy people as per your devotion.
What to do on Diwali?
1. On the day of Kartik Amavasya i.e. Diwali, one should take bath in the morning after massaging the body with oil. It is believed that doing this does not cause loss of money.
2. On the day of Diwali, people other than elderly people and children should not eat food. Take food only after worshiping Mahalakshmi in the evening.
3. Worship ancestors and offer incense and food on Diwali. During Pradosh period, show the path to your ancestors by holding a meteor in your hand. Here, meteor means showing the path to the ancestors in the light of fire by lighting a lamp or through other means. By doing this the souls of the ancestors attain peace and salvation.
4. Before Diwali, at midnight, men and women should sing songs, bhajans and celebrate at home. It is said that by doing this the poverty prevailing in the house goes away.
mythology of diwali
There are many religious beliefs and stories associated with every festival in Hindu religion. There are two important mythological stories prevalent regarding Diwali.
1. On the day of Kartik Amavasya, Lord Shri Ram Chandra ji returned to Ayodhya after spending fourteen years in exile and destroying Lankapati Ravana. On this day, people celebrated the arrival of Lord Shri Ram Chandra ji in Ayodhya by lighting lamps. From then onwards Diwali started.
2. According to another story, a demon named Narakasura had troubled the gods and saints with his demonic powers. This demon had taken captive 16 thousand women of sages and saints. Troubled by the increasing atrocities of Narakasura, the gods and saints appealed to Lord Shri Krishna for help. After this, Lord Shri Krishna killed Narakasura on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik and freed the gods and saints from his terror and also freed 16 thousand women from captivity. In this happiness, people lit lamps in their homes on the second day i.e. Amavasya of Kartik month. Since then the festivals of Narak Chaturdashi and Diwali started being celebrated.
Apart from this, other mythological stories are also heard regarding Diwali.
1. Religious belief is that on this day Lord Vishnu made King Bali the lord of the underworld and Indra celebrated Diwali happily after getting heaven safe.
2. On this day, during the churning of the ocean, Goddess Lakshmi appeared from Kshirsagar and accepted Lord Vishnu as her husband.
Astrological importance of Diwali
Every festival has astrological significance in Hindu religion. It is believed that the direction of planets and special yoga on various festivals are auspicious for the human community. In Hindu society, the time of Diwali is considered very auspicious for starting any work and purchasing any item. There is astrological significance behind this idea. Actually, around Diwali, the Sun and Moon are situated in Swati Nakshatra in Libra. According to Vedic astrology, this position of Sun and Moon is auspicious and gives good results. Libra is a zodiac sign with a balanced attitude. This zodiac sign represents justice and impartiality. Venus is the lord of Libra, which itself is the factor of harmony, brotherhood, mutual harmony and respect. Due to these qualities, the presence of both Sun and Moon in Libra is a pleasant and auspicious combination.
in 2024 diwali puja time
Amavasya date starts: 15:55 – 31 October 2024
Amavasya date ends: 18:15 – 1 November 2024
Diwali has special significance both spiritually and socially. In Hindu philosophy, Diwali has been called the celebration of inner light over spiritual darkness, knowledge over ignorance, truth over falsehood and good over evil. In 80 percent of the country including eastern and northern Rajasthan as well as UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab, Amavasya will last only for 24 minutes after sunset on November 1. Therefore, Diwali will be celebrated on this day in these areas. At the same time, in the western part of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Daman-Diu, there is no Amavasya date till 24 minutes after sunset on 1st November. Therefore, Diwali will be celebrated at these places on 31st October. According to the scriptures, the festival of Diwali will be celebrated on 31st October.
There will be confusion regarding Diwali next year
The festival of Diwali is celebrated on the day of Pradosh Vyapini Amavasya in the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. Due to Pradosh Vyapini Amavasya remaining for two days in the year 2024, there is confusion regarding Diwali.