Diwali 2023 - date, puja time, significance and how to do puja

Diwali or Deepavali is perhaps the most popular festival for the Hindus worldwide. Literally translating as ‘festival of lights’, Diwali celebration is the symbol of the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Hence, this festival holds a cultural and spiritual significance.

2023 Diwali date

Year on year, Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Kartika. In 2023, Diwali is marked on Sunday, November 12. The festival typically lasts for five days, with the main day of celebration reserved for the third day, which is Diwali.

Diwali significance

Diwali is a representative element of Hindu festival and carries an inspiring historical and cultural significance. One of the most well-known legends connected to Diwali is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana in Lanka.

Rama's return to the native land after fourteen years of exile in the forest symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and a happy reunion of the noble ruler with the citizens of Ayodhya. People at Ayodhya welcomed Sri Rama with rows of oil lamps, giving birth to the tradition of lighting diyas during Diwali.

In one another legend, Diwali is associated with the Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity who people believe visits homes on the night of Diwali carrying a lot of blessings to every household. Therefore, as a mark of welcoming the goddess of wealth and happiness, people clean and decorate their houses, light lamps, and perform Diwali puja. It is believed that her blessings fill the home with wealth, health and prosperity.

For Jains, Diwali marks the spiritual awakening of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, who attained nirvana on the day of Diwali. Sikhs also celebrate Diwali, known as Bandi Chhor Divas, to mark the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment.

Diwali puja time 2023

Diwali puja is the most important component of Diwali celebration. It is traditionally performed in the evening of Diwali.

On November 12, 2023, Amavasya Tithi starts at 2:45 pm and ends on November 13, 2023, at 2:56 PM.

In 2023, Diwali puja on November 12 must be performed during the Pradosh Kaal Muhurat between 5:28 PM and 8:07 PM. The most auspicious time for Diwali puja is during the Vrishabha Lagn (Sthira Lagn) from 5:39 pm to 7:33 pm with duration of around 1 hour and 54 minutes.

How to do Diwali puja at home

Clean the home well in advance and draw rangoli patterns. Decorate the home as you wish. During the puja muhurat, light the diyas or oil lamps to symbolize the victory of light over darkness.

Start the Diwali puja with Ganesh puja, who will remove the obstacles and lead to success. The main Diwali puja involves offering prayers and hymns to Goddess Lakshmi, praying for her blessings for the household. People keep their doors and windows open to allow her to enter their homes.

Offer sweets, fruits, and other specially made delicacies to the deities during the puja and conclude the puja with arati or waving camphor light in front of the deities.

The main highlight of Diwali celebrations that attract people of all ages include wearing new dress, eating a variety of sweets and snacks and indulging in a lot of fireworks and bursting crackers.

Conclusion

Hindus all over India and abroad await Diwali with a lot of anticipation and excitement. This year, celebrate Diwali to your heart’s content and invite health, wealth, prosperity and happiness into your household in abundance. Diwali is also the best time to celebrate the special bonds with the family, friends and relatives.