Jodhpur, October 17 (Udaipur Kiran): The festival of lights and joy, Diwali, will begin on Saturday, October 18, with the celebration of Dhanteras, marking the start of the six-day-long Deepotsav. Unlike last year, this year the festival will continue for six days instead of five due to variations in lunar tithis.
According to astrologer Arun Kumar, the main Lakshmi Puja should be performed on the night of October 20, when the Amavasya tithi prevails. On this night, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, and light lamps to welcome fortune into their homes.
Festival Schedule
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October 18 (Saturday): Dhanteras – Celebrated as the appearance day of Lord Dhanvantari. Devotees also light lamps for Yamraj in the evening and worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.
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October 19 (Sunday): Roop Chaudas or Narak Chaturdashi – The day marks Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. People light four-wick lamps outside their doors to ward off evil and perform traditional oil baths.
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October 20 (Monday): Diwali and Lakshmi Puja – The main celebration of the festival. Amavasya begins at 2:27 p.m., and worship of Goddess Lakshmi is performed during Pradosh Kaal and midnight.
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October 22 (Wednesday): Annakoot and Govardhan Puja – Devotees offer large varieties of food (Annakoot) to Lord Krishna, celebrating the day he lifted Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan.
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October 23 (Thursday): Bhai Dooj – The festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, observed with tilak rituals, feasting, and prayers to Yamraj, Chitragupt, and Yamuna.
Mythological Significance
It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk during the Samudra Manthan on the new moon night of Kartik month and chose Lord Vishnu as her consort. Another legend associates Diwali with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and the defeat of Ravana, when the people of Ayodhya lit lamps to welcome him home.
Festive Spirit in Markets
The markets are already abuzz with festive cheer ahead of Dhanteras, as shoppers prepare to buy gold, silver, utensils, electronic goods, and property — all considered auspicious on this day. Traders in Jodhpur have made elaborate preparations to meet the surge in demand, with expectations of brisk sales during the weekend.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
