From Diwali To Bhai Dooj: Here Are Dates And Pooja Timings For The 'Festival Of Lights'

The festival of Diwali, also known as Deepavali spans over five days. It starts with Dhanteras and ends on Bhai Dooj. Many rituals venerating various deities alongside Goddess Lakshmi are observed.

Here are 5 days of Diwali according to Drikpanchang:

• Friday, November 10, 2023: Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi

• Saturday, November 11, 2023: Choti Diwali, Kali Chaudas

• Sunday, November 12, 2023: Diwali, Laxmi Pujan, Narak Chaturdashi

• Tuesday, November 14, 2023: Govardhan Puja, Balipratipada, Vikram Samvat New Year.

• Wednesday, November 15, 2023: Bhai Dooj

Here are pooja timings of various days of Diwali according to Drikpanchang:

Friday, November 10, 2023: Dhanteras aka Dhanatrayodashi

• Dhanteras Puja Muhurat - 6:20 pm to 08:20 pm

• Duration - 02 Hours 00 Mins

• Yama Deepam is on Friday, November 10, 2023

• Trayodashi Tithi Begins - 12:35 pm on November 10, 2023

• Trayodashi Tithi Ends - 01:57 pm on November 11, 2023

• Kali Chaudas Muhurat - 11:57 pm to 12:48 am on November 12

• Duration - 51 minutes

• Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 01:57 pm on November 11, 2023

• Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - 02:44 pm on November 12, 2023

• Lakshmi Puja Muhurat - 6:12 pm to 8:12 pm

• Duration - 2 Hours

• Pradosh Kaal - 06:01 pm to 08:34 pm

• Vrishabha Kaal - 06:12 pm to 08:12 pm

Narak Chaturdashi

• Abhyang Snan Muhurat - 5:35 am to 6:44 am

• Duration - 1 Hour 9 Mins

• Moonrise at Abhyang Snan - 5:35 am

• Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat - 6:45 am to 9:00 am

• Bali Puja Pratahkala Muhurat - 6:45 am to 9:00 am

• Bhai Dooj Aparahna Time - 1:30 pm to 3:45 pm

The most critical day of Diwali puja is the new moon day, known as Amavasya, dedicated to Lakshmi Puja and is also referred to as Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja or simply Diwali Puja.

This sacred occasion of Diwali Puja is not confined to households but is also observed in commercial establishments. It holds particular importance for traditional Hindu business communities.

The prime time for conducting the Diwali Puja is after sundown in a twilight period called Pradosh. It is believed that no other timing for the Diwali Puja can surpass the auspiciousness of the Pradosh period and hence people usually check muhurat for seeking blessings.