Diwali Festival

Diwali/Deepavali One of the most exciting Indian festivals and celebrated all over India, denotes festival of lights. People celebrate Diwali by decorating their houses with lights and distributing sweets and Diwali gifts.  Diwali is related with many legends; one of the most popular among them is related to Lord Rama. It is believed that Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya on this auspicious day, after his victory over Ravana.

Celebrated as a five-day long Indian festival, Diwali, includes offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, bursting crackers, conducting feasts, exchanging Diwali gifts and lights. People also decorate their houses with skillfully designed and bright coloured Rangoli and small lamps (diyas) to welcome goddess of wealth Laxmi, with hope that the forthcoming year would bring them wealth and prosperity 

The Five Days of Diwali

Diwali is celebrated in five days and having each day with its own significance, with one or other legend attached to that particular day.

• The first day of Diwali is known as 'Dhanteras' or ''Dhan Trayodashi'. On this day, people offer prayers to goddess Lakshmi and buy silver utensils, businessmen buy writing articles for their shop.
• The second day of Diwali is known as 'Narak Chaturdashi', which is popularly known as 'Chhoti Diwali'
• The third day, The day of the no moon – Amavasya , which is the main day of Diwali. On this day that people perform puja devoted to Goddess Lakshmi for her blessings.
• The fourth day of Diwali, Kartika Shudda Padyami – the day recognised for when the tyrant, Bali, stepped out of hell and ruled the earth.
• The fifth Day of Diwali is popularly known as “Yama Dvitya” or ‘Bhai Dooj'. This day is celebrated to reinforce the brother-sister relationship. Yama Dvitiya (or Bhai Dooj) is the day when love is symbolized between brothers and sisters.

Puja Timings for  Diwali 2013

Dhanteras Puja Muhurta = 18:33 to 20:12

Duration = 1 Hour 38 Mins

Pradosh Kaal = 17:40 to 20:12

Vrishabha Kaal = 18:33 to 20:34

Trayodashi Tithi Starts = 22:16 on 31/Oct/2013
Trayodashi Tithi Ends = 21:33 on 1/Nov/2013

2013 Diwali Lakshmi Puja Timings

Lakshmi Puja Muhurta = 17:40 to 18:19 

Duration = 0 Hours 39 Mins

Pradosh Kaal = 17:40 to 20:11

Vrishabha Kaal = 18:25 to 20:26

Amavasya Tithi Begins = 20:12 on 2/Nov/2013

Amavasya Tithi Ends = 18:19 on 3/Nov/2013

Lakshmi Puja Muhurta

Mahanishita Kaal = 23:34 to 24:25+
Simha Kaal = 24:50+ to 26:57+

2013 Lakshmi Puja, Diwali Puja

Lakshmi Puja should be done during Pradosh Kaal which starts after sunset and will approximately lasts for 2 hours and 24 minutes.

Some people advise Mahanishita Kaal to perform Lakshmi Puja.

Mahanishita Kaal is suitable for Tantrik community and practicing Pandits who know the best about Lakshmi Puja during this special time. For common people it is best to follow Pradosh Kaal Muhurat.