Astrology, Hindu Festivals, Muhurta
Diwali 2022: Date, Significance and Puja Muhurta
Oct
Diwali 2022, a festival of love, light and peace, usually happens around October or November. It is also known as Deepawali. This year, Diwali 2022 is on 24 October. That’s one festival when millions of people come together to celebrate it. Though it used to be honoured only in India, as many Indians have migrated to various countries, Diwali is now celebrated worldwide. It’s the biggest festival in India. Diwali is celebrated yearly on Amavasya (the New Moon’s day) in the Kartik month of the Hindu Lunar Calendar. There’s also a ritual to perform Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja on Diwali under the auspicious Diwali Puja Muhurta using the Diwali Puja Samagri, which we have also listed below for you to keep track of it easily. Other than that, we have listed the historical significance of Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Annakut, Bhai Dooj, Yama Dwitiya, and Balipratipada.Â
Significance of Diwali 2022
People associate Diwali with various occasions. For instance, in some regional communities and Gujarat, an Indian state, people celebrate it as a Hindu New Year (the next day after Diwali). However, on a religious note, it marks the return of Lord Ram to his Kingdom in Ayodhya after 14 years of exile in the Forest and his massive victory over Lankapati Ravan, who had abducted Goddess Sita. The day of Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan is widely celebrated as Dussehra, precisely 20 days before Diwali.
Moreover, it is also related to Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. According to Vishnu Puran, an ancient Hindu scripture, during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the sea) in the Satyug era, Goddess Lakshmi appeared from Kshira Sagara (ocean of milk).
Diwali 2022 date in India
Diwali is a five-day mega festival, which has been explained below. Day 1 of the festival is known as Dhanteras. Whereas Day 2 of the festival is Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali. Day 3 of the festival is Diwali, and it will be celebrated on 24 October 2022. Day 4 is known as Govardhan Puja. And Day 5 of the festival is Bhai Dooj.Â
As per Hindu Panchanga (Almanac), on 24 October 2022, the Amavasya Tithi (New Moon’s day) will prevail from 17:27 Hours to 16:18 Hours on 25 October 2022.Â
Diwali Puja Muhurta
On 24 October 2022, Pradosh Kaal will begin from 17:43 to 20:16 Hours. The best Lakshmi Puja Muhurat is from 18:53 to 20:16 Hours.
Mahanishita Kaal Diwali Puja Muhurta
Lakshmi Ganesh Diwali Puja Muhurta: 23:40 to 24:31 hours
Total Duration: 0 Hour 50 Minutes
Mahanishita Kaal: 23:40 to 24:31 hours
Simha Kaal: 25:26 to 27:44 hours
Choghadiya Diwali Puja Muhurta
Evening Muhurta (Amrut, Chal): 17:29 to 19:18 hours
Night Muhurta (Laabh): 22:29 to 24:05 hours
Night Muhurta (Shubh, Amrut, Chal): 25:41 to 30:27 hours
Read about Diwali Puja Vidhi or Diwali 2022 Puja Rituals in detail.
Historical Significance of 5-Day Long Festivals
1. Dhanteras
Dhanteras is on 23 October 2022, when Lord Dhanvantari (Physician of the Gods) will be worshipped. He is the God of Ayurveda, an essential system of Vedic healing and medicine. It is celebrated on the thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha in Kartik Month. From sunset onwards, on the day of the Dhanteras, diyas (earthen lamps) are lit in honour of Lord Dhanvantari. The day is also marked with new purchases of articles or ornaments made from precious metals like gold and silver.Â
Another symbolic ritual of the Dhanteras is Yamadeepdaan (lighting lamps as an offering to Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death). The aggregate of these symbolic rituals is a stark reminder to people that hard work and stress in pursuing wealth should lead to a good, prosperous and clean life and not to disease and death. Therefore, on Dhanteras, it is a significant ritual to keep the house neat and clean. Many people also utilise it as an opportunity to make the home clutter-free. On Dhanteras, people also buy copper vessel or utensils as it offers protection from various bacteria.
2. Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali 2022)
The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi. This day is also called Chhoti Diwali. The day and its rituals are aligned to liberate people from Naraka or Hell, representing suffering. According to Hindu Shastras, this is the day when Lord Krishna killed Narakasura and freed the 16,000 women whom Narakasura had imprisoned. However, they were not ready to return to the family once released, citing that society would question their chastity, so they asked Lord Krisha to marry them. So, Lord Krishna gave them the respect of his wives. The symbolic message is that Lord Krishna will come to save all those in trouble. On Chhoti Diwali, guests are welcomed with unique sweets for the occasion. Lord Hanuman Puja is performed in certain parts. Few areas of India observe Yama Deepam or Jam ka Diya on this day instead of the day of the Dhanteras.Â
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3. Diwali 2022 (Monday, 24 October 2022)
It is the day when Lakshmi Puja is celebrated with great pomp, show and devotion. However, Lord Ganesha is also worshipped during this Puja. Lord Ganesha is the Vighnaharta or the remover of obstacles. Diyas (earthen lamps) are lit in large numbers, and people go outside and burst firecrackers with their families. In this festival of light, specific rituals dedicated to welcoming Goddess Lakshmi into homes are performed. Many houses are repainted to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Sweets, foods, gifts and all the good things life characterize this day.
4. Govardhan Puja, Annakut, and Balipratipada
On the day of Govardhan Puja, Lord Krishna’s structure is symbolically portrayed using the cow dung in a horizontal position. After completing the design, it is further decorated with earthen lamps (diyas), candles, and seenkh (a material used for broom chaffs), which the family then worships. Prayers are also offered to Lord Govardhan. Afterwards, the devotees offer food to the structure of the lord. Some people celebrate Govardhan Puja day as a Victory of Lord Krishna over Indra, the king of the god-like deities known as devas.Â
For some, it is the day of Annakut or the mountain of food. People who celebrate the day as Annakut prepare food to offer to Lord Krishna. Traditionally, vegetarian food is kept in tiers or steps, forming a mountain-like structure before the deities. This food is then distributed in the community as Prasad.
On Govardhan Puja day, some people worship their tools and Lord Vishwakarma, the Architect of Universe.Â
For others, it is the celebration of Balipratipada. It’s the day when Lord Vishnu’s Vamana Avatar defeated Mahabali, the king of asuras. However, Mahabali was also a devotee of Lord Vishnu, so after the defeat, he asked Lord Vishnu for a boon to be able to return to earth once a year when people should worship him. Lord Vishnu being generous as ever, granted him the boon he had asked for. That’s how the day of Govardhan Puja is celebrated in multiple ways based on regions in India.
5. Brother and sister bonding festival or Bhai Dooj
The festival’s last day is Bhai Dooj when people celebrate unconditional love and bond between siblings. On this day, a sister prays for her brother’s long life and feeds him delicacies. The brother gives her cash or gifts in return. In northern India, a ritual is practised by sisters to perform the Aarti of their brother using a dry coconut with a Kalawa tied around it.
Some people associate this festival with Lord Yama or Yamraj (the God of Death) and his sister, Yamuna. Hence, the festival is also known as Yama Dwitiya. At the same time, others relate it to Lord Krishna and her sister Subhadra. In most parts of India, the festival is known as Bhai Dooj, but it also has some other names to it, which include Bhaubeej, Bhai Phonta, and Bhai Tika.
It is believed that Lord Yama visited his sister Yamuna on this day. Upon seeing her brother, she welcomed him with garlands and put a tilak (vermilion) on his forehead. She sang Aarti (sacred hymns) for his happiness and long life and offered him sweets, followed by delicious food. Yamraj was pleased with his grand welcome, and in return, he blessed her sister and gave her a boon that brothers who will be visiting their sisters on this day will be welcomed with garlands, a Tilak on the forehead and Aarti, and food prepared by sisters will be protected from all evil forces, thereby blessing their brothers with a long life. That’s how and why Bhai Dooj is celebrated.
According to some Hindu scriptures, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra after killing the demon Narakasura on Narak Chaturdashi (a day before Diwali), who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. Seeing Lord Krishna, she affectionately applied tilaka on his forehead wishing for his long life. It also shows how and why Bhai Dooj is celebrated.
Shubh Diwali Puja Muhurta
- According to the lunar calendar, the Amavasya in the Lunar calendar month of Kartik starts on Monday, 24 October 2022.
- The Nishita Kaal starts at 11:40 PM on 24 October 2022 and till 12.31 AM on 25 October 2022.
- Amavasya Tithi begins at 5:27 PM on 24 October 2022 and ends at 4.18 AM on 25 October 2022.Â
- The Lakshmi Puja Muhurat starts at 6:53 PM to 8:16 PM on 24 October 2022.Â
- The Abhyanga Snan Muhurta starts on 24 October at 05:08 AM to at 06:27 AM.
- Kali Chaudas Muhurta starts on 23 October 2022, from 11:42 PM to 12:33 AM on 24 October.
- The solar eclipse will occur on 25 October 2022. Therefore, the Chhoti Diwali and Badi Diwali 2022 celebrations are to be completed on 24 October or before Sunrise on 25 October 2022.
Diwali 2022 date in the USA
Diwali will be celebrated this year in the USAÂ on Monday, 24 October 2022. The USA and India dates are the same.
Diwali 2022 Puja Vidhi in Short
- A bowl of rice is kept in the Northeast corner of the house. Hindu scriptures say the Northeast corner of the house is the holiest.
- There should be pictures or idols of Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth), Lord Kubera (God of Wealth), and Lord Ganesha (Remover of Obstacles).
- Purify the idols by sprinkling Holy water.
- Read the appropriate Mantras and offer new clothes, scents, flowers, incense, lamp, Akshat, jewellery, and Dakshina to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kubera.
You can read about Diwali Puja Vidhi or Diwali 2022 Puja Rituals in detail.