Diwali 2019: Lakshmi Puja Muhurat, Deepavali Date, Significance, Rituals, Foods To Prepare

Diwali 2019 | Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with great vigour and show by Hindus in various parts of the world. Diwali 2019 (Laxmi Puja) falls on 27 October 2019 this year, in most parts of India. The muhurat or auspicious timing for doing the Lakshmi Pujan aka Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja aka Diwali Puja. is between 06:42 PM to 08:12 pm on 27 October 2019. Diwali is usually celebrated for five days, with the festivities beginning on Dhanteras and ending with Bhaiya Duj or Bhai Dooj. However, in Maharashtra Diwali, also called Deepavali, commences one day earlier on Govatsa Dwadashi while in Gujarat it starts two days earlier on Agyaras and culminates on Labh Panchami. Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, Badi Diwali, Govardhan Pooja, and Bhau Beej comprise the five days of the festival. Every year, Diwali falls either in the month of October or November and in the Karthik month of the Hindi calendar. The festival is marked by worshipping Goddess Laxmi, cleaning the houses and surrounding and celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is celebrated because this is the day Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita had returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile (vanwas) and killing Ravana.

Devotees get busy cleaning and renovating their homes, repairing furniture, discarding old stuff and buying new clothes, valuables, etc. They worship ink bottle, pens, account books, stationery, tools of livelihood, amongst other items to worship Goddess Kali and Goddess Saraswati too. The new moon day aka Amavasya holds the utmost significance amongst the five days of festivities. The most auspicious time to do Diwali Puja is after sunset.

Significance of the five days of Diwali 2019:

1. Dhanteras 2019: Dhanteras aka Dhan Trayodashi will be celebrated on 25 October 2019 this year. It is considered a lucky or auspicious day to buy new things like utensils, gold coins, and jewellery. Houses and offices are cleaned and lit up with lamps and lights.

2. Chhoti Diwali 2019: Also known as Roop Chaudas, Kali Chaudas and Narak Chaturdashi, Chhoti Diwali falls on 26 October 2019 this year. It is said that one who takes a bath early morning on this day is blessed with good looks and good fortune.

3. Diwali 2019: Diwali falls on a new moon day. The third day is the main one since it is the day Lakshmi Pujan is conducted. Devotees offer prayers to the Goddess of wealth and prosperity to bless them all year long. The muhurat or auspicious timing for the Puja is between 5.57 pm and 7.53 pm on 27 October 2019. Family members and friends get together to pray to the deity. Post conclusion, everyone exchanges greetings and sweets.

4. Govardhan Puja 2019: Govardhan Puja or Annakut is done the very next day after Diwali, 28 October 2019 this year.

5. Bhai Dooj 2019: Also called Bhaiya Duj or Bhau Beej, this is the last day of the five-day festival which falls on 29 October 2019. Similar in spirit to Rakshabandhan, a brother travels to meet his sister who performs the ’tilak’ ritual and applies vermillion on his forehead.

Food is central to any celebration in India and Diwali is no exception. In many regions, people prepare sweets and savoury food items made of maava and desi ghee. Before, during and after the five-day-long festival, people visit each other’s houses. Thus, snacks like chakli, sev, chivda, etc are prepared and served. Besides mithai and namkeen, dry fruits are vital to Diwali faraal. 

Kick off the festive season with Mouni Roy and Rajkummar Rao’s song Odhani from Made in China: