Deepavali - Important points to remember

Why this period around Diwali is very auspicious?

The significance of Diwali is highlighted in various Puranas, especially the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. I have summarized the details here, along with the relevant timings for performing the rituals. The essential rituals are marked as Mandatory. You can perform the other rituals if it is possible for you, or you can skip them.

There are two reasons why Diwali is considered auspicious despite falling on Amavasya (the no-moon day), which is typically not regarded as a favourable time for Puja or celebrations.

Firstly, the positions of two stars play a significant role: Aswayuja and Swati. Aswayuja creates an atmosphere of balance and energy, while Swati fosters a sense of uprising and new opportunities.

Secondly, when these two come together, they negate the adverse effects of Amavasya and provide an opportunity to manifest prosperity and abundance.

Different events have happened during Diwali in different Yugas.

• Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana
• Narakasura was defeated by Shri Krishna and Satyabhama
• Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) happened during this time, and multiple treasures emerged from the ocean
• Dhanvantri and Devi Lakshmi emerged out of the Samudra on Dhanteras
• On the Diwali, Devi Lakshmi and Shri Vishnu's wedding took place
• "Mahavira Nirvana Divas" is the physical death and final nirvana of Mahavira

Many more such events happened during the Diwali period.

Diwali is celebrated during the months of Ashvin (according to the Amanta calendar) and Kartika (according to Purnimanta calendar) between mid-October and mid-November.

Day-wise description of the rituals:

Unlike Navratri, which is a Vratam (religious observance), Diwali is unmistakably a vibrant festival that lasts three to five days, depending on your region and culture. It is a time for both joyous celebration and meaningful religious practice.

Diwali starts with Dhanteras, also known as Dhanvantri Trayodashi. This significant day marks the emergence of Dhanvantri from the ocean, holding the pot of Amrita, alongside the arrival of Devi Lakshmi, who also made her emergence from the ocean on this momentous occasion.

Day 1 - 29th October 2024 - Dhanteras or Dhanvantri Trayodashi

Trayodashi Tithi Begins - 10:31 AM on October 29, 2024
Trayodashi Tithi Ends - 01:15 PM on October 30, 2024 (for New Delhi, India)

You can refer to any online Panchang at your location for international timing. A few handy links are here - Panchang 1, Panchang 2, Panchang 3. You can refer to any of them.

Two important points to do for Dhanteras:

1. Offer atleast 1 Deepam to Yamadev (MANDATORY). This is called Yama Deepa Dana. It is done to prevent any untimely deaths or accidents in the family. Let's say you are lighting twenty Diyas; just dedicate one Deepam to Yamadev. And while lighting it repeat as follows, 'O Yamadev, the son of Suryadev, I am offering this light to you and Chitragupta and all your Yamadhutas. Please accept this offering and always keep me and my family away from any untimely deaths and accidents’.

Technically, as per Puranas, 13 Deepams are offered to Yamadev which are made of wheat, meaning the base of the Diya or Deepam which holds the oil and the wick is made of wheat. It is best if you could light 13 Deepams made of wheat, but if that is not possible, then atleast offer one earthen deepam. Please use sesame oil (preferred) or mustard oil (less preferred). 

Deepam for Yamadev has to be kept outside the house (outside the main door) or in the balcony. But it has to be within the main gate of your property or apartment. It should be placed facing south, which means flame of the Deepam should face South.

The best time to offer Deepam to Yamadev is Sandhya (evening) from 05:38 PM to 06:55 PM  on October 29, 2024 (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

2. Light as many Deepams you can (Yathashakthi) to welcome Devi Lakshmi, as she is believed to visit her devotees on Earth. There is no specific requirement for the number of Deepams; you can use as many as your budget or time allows. It's best to use earthen Deepams and fill them with ghee (best), sesame oil (better) or mustard oil (good). Please avoid using palm oil, other petrochemical oils, or wax. Ensure the Deepam is sufficiently large to burn for at least 6-8 hours.

There are two pujas to be done for Devi Lakshmi during Diwali. The first one is done on Dhanteras. The main Puja is done on Diwali day (Amavasya).

You can chant Argala Stotra and Shri Suktam (if you don't know Shri Suktam entirely, just chant the first two verses), offer Naivedyam, and do Aarti of Devi. There is no need to keep any image, Kalasha, or take Sankalpa.

Puja Muhurat - 06:31 PM to 08:13 PM  on October 29, 2024 (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

Day 2 - 30th October 2024 - Has both Trayodashi and Chaturdashi

On October 30, you can continue to light the Deepam; no puja is required in the evening. However, Devi Kali is worshipped in crematoriums alongside Veera Betala in some regions. Additionally, Hanuman Puja is performed on this day. A lot of Tantric practises are done on this day. You can simply light Deepams like you did on Dhanteras and pray to God. If possible, perform evening puja; but it is not mandatory.

Day 3 - 31st October 2024 - Narak Chaturdashi 

Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 01:15 PM on October 30, 2024
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - at 03:52 PM on October 31, 2024 (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

One important point for Chaturdashi:

To prepare for the Diwali celebrations the next day, you should perform Abhyang Snan (MANDATORY), which is a bath taken after massaging yourself with oil. Use sesame (til) oil for this ritual and apply oil from head to toe. It is believed that taking an oil bath on this day prevents one from entering Narak (the netherworld) because Devi Lakshmi is said to reside in oil, while Ganga is present in water.

Symbolically, this act represents letting go of past grudges, negative thoughts, and anything that is holding you back. It's similar to oil pulling or oil gargling, which many people practice.

Oil has the ability to draw away negative emotions and help you release what you've been holding onto. This is an act of self-care and preparation for a new beginning, which is why it is also referred to as Roopa Chaturdashi.

Abhyang Snan Muhurat - 05:20 AM to 06:32 AM  on Oct 31, 2024 (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

On October 30, you can continue to light the Deepam and pray to God. If possible, perform evening puja; it is not mandatory.

Day 4 - 1st November 2024 - Diwali (Amavasya)

Amavasya Tithi Begins - 03:52 PM on October 31, 2024
Amavasya Tithi Ends - 06:16 PM on November 01, 2024 (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

The most important thing to do during Diwali (Amavasya):

Performing the Devi Lakshmi Puja along with Ganapati is essential (MANDATORY). Only Ganapati can bring Devi Lakshmi to bestow joy, happiness, and harmony (no quarrels and enmity within the family). He has this ability because both Devi Saraswati and Devi Lakshmi accompany him. Without Devi Saraswati, Devi Lakshmi would have no stability.

1. Begin by chanting the Ganapati Atharva Shirsha. You can listen to the audio if you're unfamiliar with the chant. While this is not the preferred method, it's still better than not doing anything at all. Click Here

2. Next, chant the Mantra of Ganapati either 11 times, 42 times, or 108 times. Click Here

3. Afterward, chant the Shri Sukta. You can listen to the audio if you're unfamiliar with the chant. While this is not the preferred method, it's still better than not doing anything at all. Click Here

4. Finally, chant at least the first verse, or the first two verses, of the Shri Sukta. You can do this for 11 times, 42 times, or 108 times. Each verse (Ric) of the Shri Sukta contains multiple mantras, making it very beneficial.

5. You have to do Aarti after offering Naivedya. You can provide anything of your choice as Naivedyam.

Devi Lakshmi Puja Muhurat - 05:36 PM to 06:16 PM on Nov 1, 2024. This means you have to start Puja during this time. (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

Day 5 - 2nd November 2024 - Bali Pratipada

Pratipada Tithi Begins - 06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024
Pratipada Tithi Ends - 08:21 PM on Nov 02, 2024 (for New Delhi, India)

The three most important points for Pratipada:

1. The Vamana Avatar of Shri Vishnu had pushed and punished King Bali to the Patala Loka, but Shri Vishnu also allowed him to visit Bhuloka for three days. On this day, his subjects worship and offer food to Bali and his wife, Vindhyavali.

Bali Puja Pratahkala Muhurat - 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM on Nov 02, 2024 or Bali Puja Sayankala Muhurat - 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM on Nov 02, 2024 (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

2. Govardhan Puja celebrates the day when Shri Krishna defeated Indra by lifting the mountain to provide refuge for all the villagers.

Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat - 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM on Nov 02, 2024 or Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat - 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM on Nov 02, 2024 (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

3. Dyuth Krida, or gambling, is done on this day. This is the day when Shiva and Devi Parvati first played the game of dice, so it continues as a custom. In fact, many families consider this day to be a new year and begin by playing a game of dice to invite luck and prosperity. Reference - Skanda Purana, Kedara Khanda, Chapter 34

Auspicious time for Dyuta Krida (Gambling) - 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM on November 02, 2024 (for New Delhi, India). Check the above Panchang links for your location.

Please note that this is a religious practice and should not be done in an inebriated state.

What about firecrackers?

Many of us may think that firecrackers are just for fun and not related to Diwali or Sanatana Dharma. However, the Skanda Purana clearly mentions lighting of firecrackers.

Refer to below - Skanda Purana, Vaishnava Khanda (Book 2), Karthika Masa Mahatmyam (Section 4), Rites to Be Performed on Deepavali (Chapter 9), Verses 65 Onwards.

तुलासंस्थे सहस्रांशौ प्रदोषे भूतदर्शयोः ।

उल्काहस्ता नराः कुर्युः पितॄणां मार्गदर्शनम् ॥ ६५ ॥

tulāsaṃsthe sahasrāṃśau pradoṣe bhūtadarśayoḥ |

ulkāhastā narāḥ kuryuḥ pitṝṇāṃ mārgadarśanam || 65 ||

 

नरकस्थास्तु ये प्रेतास्ते मार्गं तु व्रतात्सदा ।

पश्यंत्येव न संदेहः कार्योऽत्र मुनिपुंगवैः ॥ ६६ ॥

narakasthāstu ye pretāste mārgaṃ tu vratātsadā |

paśyaṃtyeva na saṃdehaḥ kāryo'tra munipuṃgavaiḥ || 66 ||

Meaning: When the sun is in Libra, on the nights of Caturdaśī and new-moon day, people should celebrate the festival of "showing the path to the Pitṛs" using firecrackers and phooljadi (sparkling lights). This ritual allows the deceased and the spirits in hell to see the path, and leading sages have confirmed this without doubt.

When to burn firecrackers?  - On Chaturdashi and Amavasya, 

Summary of the blog:

Every region and community has multiple ways and customs during Diwali. I am not listing them all here. You can follow your local customs and traditions, but try to perform the Mandatory steps below.

      1. Offer atleast one Deepam to Yamadev on Dhanteras
      2. Perform Abhyanga Snan on Chaturdashi
      3. Ganapati & Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya

END OF BLOG

I wish you all and your family, a Shubh Deepavali! Stay Blessed!

Regards
Parigyaan