Fri Nov 01 07:00:13 UTC 2024: ## Diwali Celebrated Across India Amidst Confusion Over Date
**New Delhi, October 31st:** India is celebrating the festival of lights, Diwali, today with fervor and enthusiasm, though some will observe it on November 1st. The confusion arises due to two Amavasya (new moon) days, leading to differing interpretations.
While the Kashi Vidwat Parishad, religious scholars, and Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand have declared October 31st as the appropriate date, citing the presence of a “Ratrivyapini Amavasya” (night-long new moon) on this day, others argue for November 1st due to the presence of an “Udayavapini Amavasya” (day-long new moon).
This year’s double Amavasya has extended the five-day festival to six days. According to Prof. Nagendra Pandey, the chairman of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, the Amavasya begins at 3:52 pm on October 31st and ends at 6:16 pm on November 1st, with the entire night of October 31st experiencing the new moon.
The auspicious “Sthir Lagna” (stable astrological configuration) for Lakshmi puja falls between 6:27 pm and 8:23 pm on October 31st. This timing is considered ideal for performing Lakshmi puja during the night of Diwali.
Amidst the ongoing debate, people are sharing Diwali wishes, images, and messages to celebrate the occasion.
“May this Diwali bring you new opportunities, new achievements, and new dreams. May you shine like a star,” one message reads.
Another expresses, “May you be blessed with prosperity and wealth, may there be no poverty on Earth, and may you receive the blessings of Maa (Mother) Lakshmi.”
The essence of Diwali, however, remains the same: spreading joy, celebrating prosperity, and lighting up lives with the glow of hope.
First Piper 