7th-13th November 2015: Diwali (Deepavali)

2015 Diwali Calendar, Deepavali Calendar

Diwali which is also known as Deepawali is the most famous festival of the year. Diwali is the five days festivity period which begins on Dhanteras and ends on Bhaiya Dooj. However, in Maharashtra Diwali festivities begin one day earlier on Govatsa Dwadashi while in Gujarat Diwali festivities begin two days earlier on Agyaras and culminates on Labh Panchami.

7th November (Saturday):

Ekadashi
Govatsa Dwadashi
Vasu Baras
Panchang for Govatsa Dwadashi Day.

8th November (Sunday):

Dwadashi

Dhantrayodashi, Dhanteras
Dhanvantari Trayodashi, Yama Deepam

Panchang for Dhantrayodashi Day.

9th November (Monday):

Trayodashi

Kali Chaudas
Hanuman Puja

Panchang for Kali Chaudas Day.

10th November (Tuesday):

Chaturdashi

Narak Chaturdashi, Tamil Deepavali
Bengal Kali Puja

Panchang for Narak Chaturdashi Day.

11th November (Wednesday):

Amavasya

Lakshmi Puja, Diwali Puja
Kedar Gauri Vrat
Chopda Puja, Sharda Puja
Diwali Snan, Diwali Devpuja

Panchang for Lakshmi Puja Day.

12th November (Thursday):

Pratipada

Govardhan Puja, Annakut
Bali Pratipada
Dyuta Krida, Gujarati New Year

Panchang for Govardhan Puja Day

13th November (Thursday):

Dwitiya
Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej
Yama Dwitiya
Panchang for Bhaiya Dooj Day.

Raja Ravi Varma’s Lakshmi (wikipedia.org)

During five days festivity various rituals are followed and with Goddess Lakshmi several other Gods and Goddesses are worshipped. However Goddess Lakshmi is the most significant deity during Diwali Puja. The new moon day, which is known as Amavasya, is the most significant day of five days Diwali festivities and known as Lakshmi Puja, Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja and Diwali Puja.

Diwali Puja is done not only in families but also in offices. Diwali Puja is the significant day for the most traditional Hindu businessmen. On this day, ink bottle, pens and new account books are worshipped. Ink bottle and pen, which are called Davat (दावात) and Lekhani (लेखनी) respectively, are sanctified by worshipping Goddess Maha Kali on them. New account books, which are called Bahi-Khate (बही-खाते), are sanctified by worshipping Goddess Saraswati on them.

The most auspicious time to do Diwali Puja is after sunset. The time period after sunset is known as Pradosh. The day of Diwali Puja is decided when Amavasya Tithi prevails during Pradosh. Hence no other Diwali Puja Muhurat is as good as Puja Muhurat during Pradosh even if it is available for one Ghati approximately 24 minutes (Source: 11/2015: Drikpanchang)

Review 2014…

• What is Diwali? (Vancity Buzz – 10/22/2014)

• Happy Diwali 2014: Barack Obama and The Vatican Wish (Intern. Business Times, India edition – 10/22/2014)

• Diwali 2014: Should we take time off work to celebrate (The Daily Telegraph – 10/23/2014)

• Lakshmi Puja Time: Know the Laxmi Pujan Muhurat timings (India.com  – 10/23/2014)

• Happy Diwali 2014: Five Quick and Easy Sweet Recipes (Intern. Business Times, India edition – 10/23/2014)

• Happy Diwali: The festival of lights in pictures (The Independent – 10/24/2014)