Diwali / Lakshmi Puja in Halifax North End 2023: Sunday, November 12, 2023 · Lagna360

Diwali marks the new-moon night of Kartika month, the darkest night of the lunar year. Lighting lamps symbolises inner illumination and the welcome of Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity. In the Ramayana tradition it commemorates Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile; in the Mahabharata tradition, the Pandavas' return after their exile.

Observed when Amavasya tithi is present during Pradosha Kala (the 2h24m window after sunset). The pradosha rule means Diwali's date can shift by one day across cities depending on local sunset, especially in years where Amavasya straddles the sunset boundary.

Why does Diwali fall on different Gregorian dates each year?▾

Diwali is tied to the lunar calendar — specifically Kartika Krishna Amavasya. The Hindu lunar year is shorter than the solar year, so Diwali shifts by ~10-11 days earlier each Gregorian year, then jumps forward when an adhik maas (intercalary month) is added.

Why do some cities observe Diwali on different days?▾

Diwali requires Amavasya to be present during Pradosha Kala (after sunset). Because sunset varies by longitude, two cities can see Amavasya end before pradosha in one and after in the other — leading to a one-day difference in observance.

Diwali / Lakshmi PujaHalifax North End

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