Diwali 2021: History, significance, pooja timings

A visual of Jaipur`s walled city market. Representational Image. Pic/Pallav Paliwal

Diwali or Deepavali is a one of biggest Hindu festivals celebrated by worshippers all over the globe. Every year, people clean and decorate their homes with diyas and rangoli to welcome goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha into their homes. The festival of lights is also symbolic of victory of good over evil.

Diwali Date:

Diwali is celebrated on the 15^th day of Kartik month as per Hindu Lunar calendar. This year, the festival falls on November 4.

History and significance

It is believed that Lord Rama returned to his home Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana after defeating Ravana and spending 14 years in exile. To mark the victory of good over evil, residents of Ayodhya welcomed him by lighting lamps in their homes. Thus, Diwali came to be known as the festival of lights. It is symbolic of peace, joy and prosperity.

Alternatively, worshippers from business communities also consider Diwali to be the first day of a new year and seek peace and prosperity as blessing from Lakshmi and Ganesha. Homes are cleaned up, decorated with lights and colours and sweets are shared with friends and family welcome a new year.

Pooja Mahurat

According to Drikpanchang, the mahurat to perform Lakshmi Pooja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm.

Amavasya Tithi on Diwali begins at 6:03 am on November 4, 2021, and ends at 2:44 am on November 5, 2021.

Pradosh Kaal - 5:34 pm to 8:10 pm

Vrishabha Kaal - 6:09 pm to 8:04 pm

List of Lakshmi Pooja timimgs in other cities according to Drikpanchang

6:39 pm to 8:32 pm - Pune

6:09 pm to 8:04 pm - New Delhi

6:21 pm to 8:10 pm - Chennai

6:17 pm to 8:14 pm - Jaipur

6:22 pm to 8:14 pm - Hyderabad

6:10 pm to 8:05 pm - Gurgaon

6:07 pm to 8:01 pm - Chandigarh

5:34 pm to 7:31 pm - Kolkata

6:42 pm to 8:35 pm - Mumbai

6:32 pm to 8:21 pm - Bengaluru

6:37 pm to 8:33 pm - Ahmedabad

6:08 pm to 8:04 pm - Noida