Diwali 2024: Date, History, And Significance

Highlights

• Diwali is a multi-day festival celebrating the triumph of light over evil.
• Each day, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dhuj, showcases the uniqueness of India’s customs and traditions.

• Diwali’s customs include cleaning homes, worshipping deities, lighting diyas, and exchanging gifts.

Deepavali, famously called ‘Diwali,’ is one of the biggest festivals celebrated all over India. People light up their houses with candles, lights, and earthen lamps to celebrate this grand festival during Diwali. Diwali 2024 falls on the 1st of November 2024, Friday. Let’s first take a look at the basic details of the festival:

Date	01-11-2024
Day	Friday
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat	05:36 PM to 06:16 PM
Amavasya Tithi Begins	03:52 PM on Oct 31, 2024
Amavasya Tithi Ends	06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024

5-Days Diwali 2024 Celebration

We all know that Diwali is not a one-day festival. Everyone around the nation gets super excited during Diwali since it is a five-day festival.

Diwali Day 1	October 29, 2024	Tuesday	Trayodashi	Dhanteras
Diwali Day 2	October 31, 2024	Thursday	Chaturdashi	Choti Diwali
Diwali Day 3	November 01, 2024	Friday	Amavasya	Diwali
Diwali Day 4	November 02, 2024	Saturday	Pratipada	Padwa
Diwali Day 5	November 03, 2024	Sunday	Dwitiya	Bhai Duj

Day 1: Dhanteras

The first day of the five-day festival is Dhanteras, and on this day, people buy gold, silver, automobiles, utensils, property and other precious goods. Moreover, people clean their homes and worship Goddess Laxmi & Lord Ganesh. Furthermore, on this day, people worship Lord Dhanvantri, who emerged from ‘Samudra Manthan’ carrying a jar of elixir.

Day 2: Choti Diwali

On Choti Diwali, people start decorating their homes. Children make rangolis and put up lights. Furthermore, People worship the gods Lord Krishna, Goddess Kali, Hanuman, and Yamaraj to cleanse their souls.

Day 3: Diwali and Lakshmi Puja

Diwali, or ‘Festival of Lights,’ is a festival of new beginnings, and people celebrate the victory of good over evil. People decorate houses, shops, and public places with diyas. Furthermore, family members gather for Lakshmi pooja, eating mouth-watering dishes & sweets, and in the evening, children and adults play with firecrackers.

Day 4: Padva (Bali Pratipada/ Diwali Padva)

People celebrate this day to honour the return of the daitya-king Bali to Earth. According to the legend, Bali or Mahabali, the benevolent king of the Asuras, threatened the heavens, so Vishnu, in his Vamana avatar, sent him to the netherworld. However, he was pleased with the d3evotion of Balli and allowed him to visit his former subjects once a year.

Day 5: Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is a festival where sisters pray to God for their brothers and pray for their longevity, well-being, and prosperity. Moreover, the occasion occurs two days after Diwali and sisters invite their brothers to visit their place and prepare their beloved dishes.

Different Reasons To Celebrate Diwali

People celebrate Diwali for different reasons in India, and here is a list of those reasons:

• In Northern parts of India, people celebrate the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana after defeating Ravana.
• As per the most popular tradition, on this day, Goddess Lakshmi was born from Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean of milk by the gods and demons. Goddess Lakshmi chose Lord Vishnu as her husband on the night of Diwali.
• In Southern parts of India, people celebrate Diwali as the day when Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.
• In Jainism, the day marks the anniversary when Mahavira’s soul finally attained Nirvana.
• Sikhs celebrate this day to mark the release of Guru Hargobind by Mughal emperor Jehangir.

Do’s and Don’t’s While Playing With Firecrackers

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts one should follow while playing Diwali:

Do’s While Playing With Firecrackers

• Read the safety instructions on the box before using the firecrackers.
• Wear thick cotton clothes while bursting crackers rather than synthetic, loose, or flowing garments.
• In case of burns, pour a large quantity of water on the burnt area.
• Keep an eye on children while they light Candles, Diyas and Crackers.
• Ensure your pets feel comfortable and feed them well before bursting crackers.

Don’ts While Playing With Firecrackers

• Don’t burst crackers inside the house.
• Don’t light a cracker when it is in your hand.
• Never keep your face close to the cracker while trying to light it.
• Don’t allow small children to handle fireworks.
• Never apply any cream, ointment, or oil on the burnt area.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What are the five days of Deepavali called?

The five days of Deepavali/Diwali are:

1. Dhanteras
2. Choti Diwali
3. Diwali
4. Padva/Bali Pratipada/ Diwali Padva
5. Bhai Duj

• What is the date of Diwali 2024?

In 2024, Diwali is on November 1st, Friday.

• Why do we celebrate Diwali? 

People celebrate Diwali because on this day, Lord Rama, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, returned to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile.

Must Read:

• All About Gandhi Jayanti: History And Significance Of 2nd October
• Makar Sakranti: The Auspicious Festival of Sun God
• Top 10 Indian Origin CEOs Leading International Companies
• SUCCESS STORY OF TIM COOK: A MAN WITH A VISION
• HIGHEST-PAID CEOs IN THE WORLD
• Success Story Of Mukesh Ambani
• Elon Musk: Biography Of A Self-Made Entrepreneur And Billionaire
• 7 R’s Of Waste Management – Steps To Sustainability
• What Are The 5 Must Watch Netflix Thrillers