Diwali 2019: When Is Diwali, Date, Puja Time, Significance And Foods To Celebrate

It's that time of the year again; the country is immersed in the festive fervour. After bidding adieu to Navratri celebrations, we are here celebrating Diwali today in full swing. The festival of lights celebrates the homecoming of Lord Rama after fourteen years of exile. Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated Indian festivals. People clean their house to usher in the blessings of Goddess Laxmi. They also decorate their houses with lights and clay lamps. Diwali celebrations are also accompanied with a lot of good food and indulgence. Diwali gifts also make the festival worth looking forward to. So what is it about the festival that fills every Indian with extraordinary zeal, and when is Diwali 2019? Let's find out.

When is Diwali 2019? Puja Muhurat and Timings

This year Diwali falls today on 27th October 2019.

Deepavali Lagna Puja on Sunday, October 27, 2019

Kumbha Lagna Muhurat (afternoon) - 02:14 PM to 03:42 PM

Duration - 01 Hour 27 Mins

Vrishabha Lagna Muhurat (evening) - 06:42 PM to 08:38 PM

Duration - 01 Hour 56 Mins

Simha Lagna Muhurat (midnight) - 01:12 AM to 03:30 AM, Oct 28

Duration - 02 Hours 17 Mins

Amavasya Tithi Begins - 12:23 PM on Oct 27, 2019

Amavasya Tithi Ends - 09:08 AM on Oct 28, 2019 (Source: Drikpanchang.com)

(Also Read: Diwali 2019: Essential Guide For Diwali Festivities And How To Make The Most Of Them)^{Diwali celebrations are also accompanied with a lot of good food and indulgence.}

Significance of Diwali

Diwali festivities in India last for five days. The celebrations kick-start with Dhanteras (25th October 2019) which is followed by Chhoti Diwali (26th October 2019), Diwali (27th October 2019), Govardhan Puja (28th October 2019) and concludes with Bhai Dooj (29th October 2019). Diwali falls in the month of Karthik, according to Hindu calendar. Diwali is also referred to as Deepavali, which loosely translates to a row or string of lights. According to a popular legend, people of Ayodhya lit multiple clay lamps or diyas to celebrate the homecoming of Lord Rama, Sita, and Laxman. After fourteen years of exile and a long, dreary battle with Ravana, Lord Rama headed northwards towards his home in Ayodhya. He arrived on the day of Diwali. According to scriptures, Lord Rama with his army comprising mostly of monkeys defeated Ravana and relieved Sita from hostage.

(Also Read: Chhoti Diwali 2019: Fully Prepared Menu For Chhoti Diwali Party With Recipes)^{According to a popular legend, people of Ayodhya lit multiple clay lamps to celebrate the homecoming of Lord Rama.}

In the eastern part of the country, people worship Goddess Kali. On the day of Kali Pujo, people consume a delicious meal of 14 types of green leafy vegetables. They stay up all night and pay obeisance to the Goddess.

Festive Foods For Diwali 2019

Diwali feasting can be as indulgent as you want it to be. Kaju katli or kaju barfi is a Diwali staple we cannot get enough of. The flaky son papdi is also among the widely celebrated sweets along with patisa, gulab jamun, coconut ladoo, and rasgulla. To balance the overload of sugar, people also distribute a whole lot of dry fruits and nuts like pistachio, walnuts and cashews. The savoury affair of Diwali is also quite multifarious. Bhujia, gathiya, kachori, namak pare, chakli, samosa and cutlets, there are options galore to add to your Diwali party menu. On the day of Diwali, many Hindus opt for a vegetarian meal, since that is also the day to hold the Laxmi Puja.

Happy Diwali 2019!