Diwali 2024 Date, Mahurat time and Food to eat

The fragrance of delicious treats filling the air, the sound of pleasure and laughter resonating in every corner, and the bright glow of a thousand lamps are the telltale signals that it is Diwali.

It is a five-day festival that starts with Dhanteras and finishes with Bhai Dooj. Many call it the festival of lights, joy, prosperity, and happiness. It is celebrated with immense delight and fervor on Kartik Amavasya, the darkest night of the year in the Hindu month of Kartik.

On Diwali, people decorate their houses and streets with candles and diyas, exchange presents, dress up, and indulge in delectable traditional cuisine.

Keep reading for a round-up of important Diwali 2024 dates, muhrat, and some of the symbolic dishes that may be on the menu.

Diwali 2024 Mahurat (Auspicious Timing) and Dates

The Diwali dates in 2024 promise five-day-long festivities for this sacred event. Every one of these five days has a special meaning and customs. The following list shows the significant Diwali dates for 2024:

History of Diwali

Celebrated as the “Festival of Lights,” Diwali is a colourful tapestry of customs, legends, and religious importance. The phenomenon’s name comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means “rows of lights” and represents the triumph of light over darkness.

A well-known narrative related to Diwali comes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. This story describes how the demon king Ravana was vanquished and how Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman triumphantly returned to Ayodhya following a 14-year Vanvass. In celebration of their return, devotees illuminated  Ayodhya with many lamps.

Another story from the Mahabharata describes how, upon the Pandava brothers’ return to their country following years of banishment, the people lit many lights in their honor. Diwali also marks Lord Krishna’s triumph over the demon ruler Narakasura in the southern regions of India.

The Goddess of Fortune, Lakshmi, is the focal point of the Diwali festivities. According to Hindu mythology, the Goddess escaped the holy realm and joined the cosmic ocean because she was offended by Indra’s arrogance. The ocean was churned for a millennium to aid in her reemergence because of fear that the earth would become hostile without her.

As we approach the Diwali 2024 date, these stories remind us of the festival’s profound cultural and spiritual roots.

5 Days of Diwali: Significance

Each day of Diwali has significance and is based on centuries-old legends and customs.

#1 Dhanteras:

• Relevance: Dhanteras, which means “worship of wealth,” ushers in the celebration. On this day, worshippers honor Lord Dhanwantari, the deity of Ayurveda and healing techniques, as a reminder that health is the real wealth. Lord Kubera, the God of wealth, is also worshipped on Dhanteras.
• Customs: On this day, people clean their houses, burn diya lamps near Tulsi plants, and offer prayers for good health. Additionally, buying anything valuable—typically gold—is customary to bring in wealth.

#2 Narak Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali:

• Relevance: On this day, Lord Krishna triumphed against the demon Narakasur, who abducted the gopis. The celebration comes on the fourteenth day of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month.
• Customs: People wake up early, apply aromatic oils, and bathe. It is said that doing this removes sins and impurities. Everyone lights clay lamps and decorates houses. Some people also make rangolis.

#3 Lakshmi Puja:

• Relevance: The main Diwali celebration, which takes place on the third day, commemorates Lord Rama’s homecoming to Ayodhya and the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. On this day, it is thought that Goddess Lakshmi blesses homes and bestows good fortune to people.
• Customs: You can see around the electric lights, candles, and oil diyas to light homes. Families celebrate Lakshmi Pujan, exchange presents, pop crackers, and ask for blessings for wealth and good fortune.

#4 Govardhan Puja or Padva, Annakut

• Relevance: The fourth day of Deepavali honors the story of Lord Krishna raising the Govardhan Mountain to protect the people of Gokul from Lord Indra’s fury.
• Customs: Devotees build a little mountain, usually out of cow dung, to honour Govardhan. It’s also a day for gift-giving and visiting loved ones.

#5 Bhai Dooj, Yama Dwitiya

• Relevance: Bhai Dooj, the celebration of the relationship between brothers and sisters, falls on the fifth and last day of the Diwali festivities. The story of Lord Yama and his sister Yami, which is connected to the day, emphasizes the enduring power of sibling ties. 
• Customs: Sisters hold a tilak ritual, invite their brothers to dine with them, and pray for their long life and health. In exchange, brothers give their sisters presents, deepening their affectionate and nurturing relationship.

Diwali- The Festival of Food Celebration

It’s that time of year, Diwali when you toss your diet and workout regimen to the flames. We understand your concern; the desserts prepared for Diwali are so indulgent and delicious that it is hard to resist eating them, while your family is busy stuffing it in their mouths.

What if we told you that you can actually enjoy the taste of these diwali snacks guiltfree rather than giving them up totally ? Adding a slight twist to the usual diwali delicacies by making them nutritious is  something you should try this year. 

We have brought to you here, some of the traditional diwali snacks, that can be prepared slightly in a different manner either in terms of incorporating healthier ingredients or adopting various other styles of cooking that aids in using oil and ghee in moderate quantities. 

#1 Baked Chaklis

Chakli is a traditional Diwali snack, so it has to be a part of our delectable Diwali dish collection. You may want to avoid deep-fried chaklis to manage your weight, but you don’t have to give up entirely on chaklis, by following this recipe. 

There’s always a healthy alternative to chaklis. This is how you can make baked chaklis; give it a try and enjoy!

Total Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes

Serving Size: 15-20 chaklis, serving 3-4 people.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of Aashirvaad Sugar Release Control Atta
• 1/2 cup of low-fat curd
• 2-tsp of sesame seeds
• 1 tsp of Aashirvaad Red Chilli Powder
• 1 teaspoon of oil
• A pinch of Aashirvaad Turmeric
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• Add  Aashirvaad Himalayan Pink Salt to taste.

Method

• Combine all the ingredients in a big bowl to form a semi-soft dough.
• Grease a baking pan with a tsp of oil and top it with baking paper.
• Place the kneaded dough into a Chakli press and use it to press spiral or round swirl forms onto buttered baking paper.
• Next, bake these chaklis for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown, at 180°C in a preheated oven.
• After letting the chaklis cool, enjoy them with a cup of tea.

#2 Millet Motichur Laddu

Motichoor laddu is one of the most popular Diwali sweets. This dessert, often prepared with sugar, ghee, and gram flour (besan), may be made healthy by incorporating Muti Millet Flour. The nutritional significance of Millet is no longer a secret. From being rich sources of Calcium, Fibre, and Antioxidant properties to having flavonoids, Millet are a wonder grain from every aspect. Incorporating them into these traditional delicacies may help enrich the nutritional potential of these dishes. 

Total Time: 40-50 minutes

Serving Size: 20-25 laddus, serving 6-8 people

Ingredients

• 150 grams Aashirvaad Multi-Millet Mix
• 150 grams of Aashirvaad Besan  
• One-half tsp cardamom powder
• Three cloves
• Six cashews, divided in half
• Some Aashirvaad Turmeric to add color
• Water (as needed)
• Aashirvaad SVASTI PURE COW GHEE  (for greasing)
• Aashirvaad Salt Active

For the syrup

• 150 grams of powdered jaggery
• Roughly a tsp of water

Method

• Mix the turmeric powder, besan, salt, and Aashirvaad Multi Millet Mix thoroughly.
• Add water to make a thick batter.
• Heat some ghee in a pan and make boondi using the batter using a perforated ladle.
• After frying, drain the boondi by placing it on absorbent paper.
• Add the water and jaggery powder to a pressure cooker. Simmer for two minutes.
• After manually releasing the pressure, combine the cooked mixture with the fried boondi.
• Add the cardamom powder to the mixture after frying the cashews and cloves separately. Blend well.
• Give it ten minutes so the boondi can soak up the syrup.
• During these ten minutes, stir a couple of times.
• To coarsely ground, transfer 3/4 of the sweetened boondi to a grinder and pulse four times. Mix well after transferring to the remaining boondi.
• Grease your palms with ghee and make small balls of laddu. Keep enclosed in a sealed container.

#3 Whole Wheat Papdi

If you don’t have a sweet tooth, whole wheat papdi is a nutritious Diwali snack you might want to prepare and consume. Bake the papdis for a more healthful option!

It is the small gradual changes that one should make in their balanced diet,  which in the long run shall help in achieving optimum health benefits, like, for example, using Iodised salt. Iodine is a trace mineral that makes thyroid hormones, which are essential for normal growth and development. 

Iodine is vitally needed during early childhood, puberty, pregnancy, and lactation as deficiency of this mineral can cause diseases like mental retardation, goitre, and cretinism. Iodised salt has proven to be the most effective means of providing one with consistent levels of iodine. Hence, you may choose to incorporate iodised salt as a part of your balanced diet right now!

Total Cooking Time: 65-80 minutes.

Serving Size: 20-25 papdis, serving 4-6 people.

Ingredients

• One cup of AASHIRVAAD WHOLE WHEAT ATTA
• One cup of all-purpose flour
• One tablespoon of carom seeds (Ajavain)
• One teaspoon of cumin seeds
• Two tablespoons of Aashirvaad SVASTI PURE COW GHEE
• Water when needed
• Add Aashirvaad Iodized Salt to taste.

Method

• Combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cumin, and carom seeds in a bowl.
• Mix well after adding half a tsp of ghee to the mixture above.
• Gently incorporate water into the ingredients while kneading a solid dough.
• Set the dough aside for half an hour.
• Next, knead the dough and roll it into four or five equal balls.
• Roll out one ball using a rolling pin.
• Now, the rolled ball must be the size of a chapati.
• Cut the rolled dough into round shapes with a cookie cutter.
• Cut the formed dough into spherical shapes and roll more balls.
• Using a fork, prick the cut-out papadis.
• Put parchment paper on one baking pan.
• Grease the tray with ghee if parchment paper is not available.
• Preheat the oven to 180° C. for about fifteen minutes, then put the papads on the baking sheet. Bake the papdis for 20 to 25 minutes or until brown.

#4 Rawa Barfi

Barfi, a popular Indian dessert also known as mithai is often made with nuts or a mixture of dried fruits and sugar. Rava Burfi is a unique dish that you can make quickly and efficiently. It is tasty and nutritious. You may add a variety of dry fruits and nuts namely cashews, Walnuts, pistachios to this sweet, which will not only add to flavour and richness but also may help you in receiving their goodness. They are valuable sources of essential omega-3 essential fatty acids, and packed with other trace minerals too,  which may help in providing a healthy twist to our traditional mithai. 

Total Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes.

Serving Size: 20-25 burfi pieces, serving 6-8 people.

Ingredients

• One cup of Aashirvaad SVASTI PURE COW GHEE
• ½ cup shredded dry coconut
• 2 cups Aashirvaad Double Roasted Suji Rava
• 1/4 cup powdered milk
• 2 cups of sugar
• One cup of water
• A tsp of powdered cardamom
• 2 tablespoons chopped dry fruits( Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios)

Method

• One benefit of using Aashirvaad Rava is that it is already roasted, so there’s no need to roast it again. Just set aside.
• Put two cups of sugar and one cup of water in a big kadai.
• Stir and boil till you reach a consistency of one string.
• Reduce the heat to low and thoroughly stir in the roasted rava, carefully breaking up any lumps.
• Next, thoroughly whisk in ½ tsp of cardamom powder.
• Cook over low heat until the mixture loses its stickiness and begins to take on its form.
• Transfer to a ghee-greased tray.
• Add dried coconut and almonds on top. To set, give the burfi ten minutes of rest.
• Cut the burfi into pieces while it’s still warm.
• Lastly, if you preserve the Rava Burfi Recipe in an airtight container, you may enjoy it for a month.

The Last Say

There is a noticeable buzz of excitement as the Diwali festival draws near. Now that you know why Diwali holds such particular meaning for people worldwide, you can make the most of your celebrations.

While you don’t have to abstain from these delicious sweets completely, making wise choices, portion control, and consuming them in moderation can help you to eat healthy in the festive week and not experience a pang of guilt thereafter.

Let’s honor Diwali’s rich history, customs, and traditions this year by making it a genuine “Festival of Lights” that brightens our homes and spirits.

Frequently Asked Questions