Tue Oct 29 04:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Diwali 2024: Festival of Lights to Begin on October 31, Confirms VHP

The much-anticipated five-day Diwali festival will commence on **Tuesday, October 29**, with the celebration of Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi. The festival culminates on **Saturday, November 2**, with Bhaiya Dooj.

However, the exact date of Diwali, also known as Deepawali, has been a subject of confusion. This year, the festival of lights will fall on **Thursday, October 31**, coinciding with the Amavasya—the new moon phase. This confirmation comes from both the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Drik Panchang, an online Hindu calendar resource.

While most of India celebrates Diwali marking Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya, in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the festival honors the victory of Lord Krishna and Goddess Satyabhama over the demon Narakasura. This difference in tradition leads to a discrepancy in the date of celebration, with these states marking the festival on the Chaturdashi Tithi, lighting lamps and firecrackers at dawn.

Diwali celebrations will kick off on **October 30** with Choti Diwali, also known as Narak Chaturdashi, and culminate with Lakshmi Puja on **October 31**, followed by the rest of the five-day festivities.

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