Does 2024 Diwali fall on Oct 31 or Nov 1?

Devotees have enthusiastically started the process of preparing for the festivities and researching the right timings and auspicious muhurats with only one month remaining until Deepavali. The precise date of Diwali is a source of confusion for many individuals, as there are two days for Amavasya this year. This has prompted a discussion regarding the date on which Diwali will be observed: October 31 or November 1.

The inaugural day of the Diwali festival, Dhanteras or Dhan-Trayodashi, will be commemorated on October 29. This implies that celebrating Diwali on November 1 would result in a six-day festivity, which would be an additional day in addition to the standard duration. The tradition of 'Deep Daan' will be observed on October 30, while 'Roop Chaturdashi' (Udaykalin) will be observed on October 31.

Many clerics believe Diwali should be observed on October 31, as Amavasya occurs during the 'pradosh kaal' on that day. According to them, Amavasya will commence at 3:55 p.m. and conclude at 6:15 p.m. on November 1. The date of October 31 is considered auspicious for the celebration of Diwali, as the worship of Goddess Lakshmi is traditionally performed at night on Amavasya.

Nevertheless, certain scholars propose that the festival should be observed on November 1, as the Amavasya period extends until the evening. They suggest that the Pratipada that follows Amavasya be prioritised over Chaturdashi. Pratipada is the initial day of the lunar month that follows Amavasya.

Scholars have clarified that the Dwadasi date (the 12th day of the lunar calendar) will remain in effect until 10:31 am for Dhanteras. Immediately following this, the Trayodashi date (the 13th day) will commence and continue until 1:15 p.m. on October 30.

On this day, October 29, the commemoration of Dhanteras is considered more favourable due to the presence of Trayodashi during the Pradosh period.