Illuminating Diwali 2024: Timeless Traditions and Contemporary Trends

When we think of Deepavali (Diwali) 2024 🪔, what immediately comes to mind is the bright🔆, festive aura that surrounds this celebration. It’s the illuminated homes and streets 🏮, the bursting of crackers🎆, the sweet aroma of Diwali sweets🍪, and the sacred Diwali Puja 🛕 that fills the air with devotion. The excitement of wearing new clothes is palpable, but do you know what Dyuta Krida 🎲 is and how it relates to Deepavali? Keep this in mind, and as you explore the blog, you'll find the answer. 

Revisit the blog for insights into the significance and Vedic observances of Diwali.

Beyond the surface-level festivities, there’s a much deeper essence to Diwali. 

Prernamurti Bharti Shriji's profound message captures this beautifully: "Give is to Live⏺️" Her teachings highlight that the true meaning of Diwali is not just about lighting lamps🪔 in our homes but also about illuminating the lives of others. We celebrate Diwali fully when we bring light into the lives of those living in darkness—whether that darkness is physical, emotional, or spiritual. As we plan our Diwali decor ideas and eco-friendly Diwali practices, let’s not forget the deeper connections to our scriptures, and the regional delicacies that make this festival unique across the country.

Diwali 2021 l BE SENSIBLE, CARE FOR OTHERS - Prernamurti Bharti Shriji

Vedic festivals like Diwali 2024 are linked to physical health, aligning with nature’s cycles 🍃 to attune our bodies. Cleaning 🧹and lighting lamps 🪔 during Diwali promote well-being by inviting natural light and purity. Diwali Puja, mantra chanting 🕉📿, and rituals help achieve mental balance, purifying thoughts and emotions. These practices foster positivity and promote mental peace 😌, strengthening family 👪 and societal connections 🧑‍🤝‍🧑.

Designer Lights 🔦 and Gau Diya 🪔

There was a time when the Diwali festival was illuminated solely by clay lamps and diyas made of cow dung 🪔. Every home would light lamps filled with ghee and oil. But today, in the dazzling markets filled with electronic lights 💡 and decorative show lights, the light of diyas made by local artisans is fading. Nowadays, people use clay lamps mainly for formal worship. Embracing eco-friendly Diwali and its symbolism enhances this holistic approach to health and happiness.

When rows of lamps are lit during this festival🕎, it feels like heaven👼 has descended to Earth.

Scientific Reasons and Benefits of Lighting Gau Diyas

There are also scientific reasons behind lighting these diyas 🪔. After the rainy season, the environment is filled with many insects and harmful germs 🦠, which can spread diseases. When we light Gau lamps on Diwali, not only do they provide light🌟, but the flame also helps to eliminate the insects and germs around.. 

Instructions: Place it on a heat-resistant surface, like an incense holder or ceramic dish before lighting it.

Is Deepavali on October 31 or November 1? 🤷❓

Now we’ll highlight the Deepavali 2024 festival dates, along with the Diwali Puja Vidhi, and explore how these rituals connect us to the festival’s true essence of light and well-being.

Diwali 2024 Date - October 31, 2024

Amavasya Tithi Begins - 03:52 PM on Oct 31, 2024

Amavasya Tithi Ends - 06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024

October 29, 2024 Dhanteras 🪙 Puja, Dhantrayodashi Puja 

Lord Dhanvantari appeared on Dhanteras with a pot 🏺, symbolizing health 💪, and Ayurveda ☘️ is the best and most flawless treatment. On Dhanvantari Day, we pray to Lord Dhanvantari not only for our own health but for the health of the entire world 🌏. The same soul that resides in you, resides in the whole world, and if the whole world is healthy, how can you remain unhealthy? Just like when a single grain of rice is cooked, all the rice in the pot 🍚 is cooked evenly, when you wish for global well-being, you also benefit from it.

धनतेरस | आरोग्य धन की प्राप्ति हेतु अवश्य करें | Dhanteras 2021| Prernamurti Bharti Shriji

Consider chanting this mantra on Dhanteras for improved health.

धनतेरस के दिन इस धन्वंतरि के मंत्र का जप अवश्य करे - Prernamurti Bharti Shriji

October 30, 2024 Kali Chaudas

Kali Chaudas 🌃 is celebrated on the Chaturdashi Tithi during the Diwali festival. However, it should not be confused with Roop Chaudas or Narak Chaturdashi, as it may occur a day before Narak Chaturdashi. The timing 🕰of Kali Chaudas is determined by the Chaturdashi Tithi prevailing at midnight, which is referred to as Maha Nishita time according to the Panchang.

October 31, 2024 Abhyang Snan on Narak Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Pujan

Abhyang Snan 🧼 before Sunrise 🌄 on Chaturdashi day, which is popularly known as Narak Chaturdashi, is the most significant one. It is believed that people, who do Abhyang Snan on this day, can avoid going to Narak(hell). Til (i.e. sesame) oil 🛢should be used for Ubtan during Abhyang Snan 🫧🚿.There is a traditional belief in Hindu culture that Lakshmi ji (the goddess of wealth and prosperity) resides in oil (tel) and Ganga ji  (the goddess of purity and the river Ganga) resides in water💧. This connection also reflects the broader understanding of how natural elements are linked to divinity 😇 and prosperity in Hindu rituals and daily life.

Diwali, the festival of light and prosperity ㊗️, holds  special significance for the welcoming 👐of Goddess Lakshmi into the home. If you wish to establish the presence of Goddess Lakshmi in your home, here are some simple and sacred practices that you can easily follow from the comfort of your home:

Dipawali ke din kya kare? Diwali 2021| Prernamurti Bharti Shriji

November 1, 2024 - Kartik Amavasya

A Diwali, where all rituals are performed at home and mantras described in the scriptures are chanted, creates a unique spiritual experience. The true meaning of this festival lies in dispelling inner darkness⚫ and illuminating🔅 not only the home but also the mind.

November 2, 2024 Govardhan Puja | Diwali Dyuta Krida, Gujarati New Year

Gowardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, is a celebration of abundance and gratitude. On this day, delicious dishes 🍪 made from cereals like wheat and rice🍚, along with flavorful curries 🍛 and leafy vegetables 🥘 , are prepared and offered to Lord Krishna.

Did you know that gambling 🎰 has roots in Hinduism dating back to the Vedic period? Back then, it wasn’t called gambling as we know it today—it was referred to as Dyuta, or Dyuta-Krida (द्यूत-क्रीडा). According to Hindu religious texts, it was on the day of Kartik Pratipada that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati played the game of dice 🎲🎲for the first time.

• In modern India, this game of dice 🎲is known as Jua (जुआ), though it’s considered taboo in many families. In fact, most states in India have banned gambling altogether. Yet, despite this, many families 👪 continue to play it during Diwali, keeping alive the tradition for religious reasons.

November 3, 2024 Bhaidooj , Bhaubeej, Bhatru Dviteeya

Bhai Dooj, a Hindu festival honoring the sibling bond, is celebrated on the second day after the new moon. On this day, sisters invite their brothers for a special meal, symbolizing their duty to protect her and her blessings for him.

A Diwali of the Heart 💖💞

The essence of Prernamurti Bharti Shriji’s message—"Give 💝 is to live"—encourages us to see Diwali as more than just a festival of external light but also as a time to illuminate hearts 💞. Whether it’s helping those who live in poverty, comforting those who are in pain😧, or simply being a source of joy😃 and light for others🥳, this is how we truly celebrate Diwali dil se🥰 (from the heart). True Diwali is about lighting up hearts 💖, not just homes.

What are some of your favorite memories 🤔, or what traditions do you follow to bring light and joy 💓to other homes during this festive season? Jump into the discussion 💬! We’d love to hear  👂your memories and traditions—share them with us in the comments!

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