Deepawali 2024 Date: Muhuratam, Panchangam Details, and Celebration Guide for Tamil Nadu

Deepawali, the festival of lights, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, the name Deepawali (or Deepavali) is derived from the words “Deepam” (light) and “Aavali” (row), meaning a row of lights, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Deepawali is celebrated with great enthusiasm, involving family gatherings, religious rituals, bursting crackers, and preparing delicious sweets.

In Tamil Nadu, Deepawali 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, 31st October 2024. Unlike other parts of India where Diwali falls on Amavasya, in Tamil Nadu, the celebrations start in the early morning on Naraka Chaturdashi, a day earlier, marking Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.

Deepawali 2024 Panchangam: Vakkiya and Thirukanitha Panchangam

The Tamil Panchangam plays a significant role in determining the auspicious times (muhurats) for rituals and celebrations during Deepawali. There are two types of panchangam commonly referred to in Tamil Nadu: the Vakkiya Panchangam and the Thirukanitha Panchangam.

• Vakkiya Panchangam: This traditional panchangam is calculated using ancient Tamil astronomy and is often followed by people for day-to-day events, especially in rural areas.
• Thirukanitha Panchangam: This panchangam uses more precise, mathematically calculated planetary positions to determine the timings. It is more commonly used by astrologers and in urban areas for accurate muhurat times.

According to both the Vakkiya and Thirukanitha Panchangam, Deepawali falls on Naraka Chaturdashi in Tamil Nadu, which is celebrated with rituals like oil baths, new clothes, and Lakshmi puja.

Deepawali 2024 Muhurat Time for Tamil Nadu

While the Amavasya Tithi on 1st November is traditionally associated with Diwali in many regions, in Tamil Nadu, the main Deepawali celebrations are based on the Chaturdashi Tithi. The morning of 31st October 2024 marks the celebration of Deepawali in Tamil Nadu.

Naraka Chaturdashi Muhurat:

• Starts: 03:10 AM on 31st October 2024.
• Ends: 02:55 AM on 1st November 2024.

On Naraka Chaturdashi morning, people rise early, take a special Gingelly oil bath (sesame oil) before sunrise, wear new clothes, and burst firecrackers to symbolize the victory over darkness. This early morning ritual is an integral part of Tamil Deepawali celebrations.

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat for Deepawali in Tamil Nadu:

While the early morning is focused on rituals associated with Naraka Chaturdashi, the evening is reserved for Lakshmi Puja. This puja is done to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

• Pradosh Kaal: 05:42 PM to 07:47 PM on 31st October 2024 (for Tamil Nadu).
• Nishita Kaal: 11:42 PM to 12:32 AM (1st November 2024).

Make sure to perform the Lakshmi Puja during these auspicious times to ensure prosperity and happiness for your family.

How to Celebrate Deepawali 2024 in Tamil Nadu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Deepawali celebrations in Tamil Nadu are distinct from other states, with an emphasis on early morning rituals, special oil baths, and traditional sweets. Here’s a detailed guide on how to celebrate Deepawali in Tamil Nadu in 2024:

Pre-Deepawali Preparations

1. Cleaning and Decorating the House:
   • Like in the rest of India, Deepawali preparations in Tamil Nadu begin with cleaning and organizing the house. It symbolizes driving away negative energy and welcoming prosperity.
   • Decorate your home with kolams (rangolis made of rice flour), flowers, and diyas (oil lamps). Thoranams made of mango leaves are also hung at the entrance of the house to ward off evil spirits.
2. Shopping for Deepawali:
   • Purchase new clothes for the family, especially traditional silk sarees for women and veshtis (dhotis) for men. Jewelry and new utensils are often bought to mark the occasion.
   • People also buy firecrackers to burst early in the morning on Naraka Chaturdashi.
3. Preparing Traditional Sweets and Snacks:
   • In Tamil Nadu, traditional sweets like Adhirasam, Mysore Pak, Jangri, and Laddu are prepared in advance. Savory snacks such as Murukku and Thattai are also made for Deepawali.
   • These items are usually prepared with pure ghee and cold-pressed oils, giving them a distinct and rich flavor.

Deepawali Day Schedule for Tamil Nadu (31st October 2024)

Morning Rituals

1. Early Morning Oil Bath:
   • The first and most important ritual on Deepawali morning is the Gingelly oil bath. The oil is usually heated and massaged onto the body, followed by a bath in warm water. This symbolizes purification and renewal.
   • The oil bath should be taken before sunrise, after which the family members wear their new clothes and seek the blessings of elders.
2. Breakfast with Traditional Sweets:
   • After the oil bath, the family gathers to enjoy a traditional breakfast with special Deepawali sweets like Adhirasam and Boondi Laddu. This is the first meal of the day and sets the tone for the festivities.

Afternoon Rituals

1. Offering to Ancestors:
   • In Tamil Nadu, it is customary to offer food to the ancestors on Deepawali. This is done by preparing a special meal, including coconut rice, lemon rice, and puliogare (tamarind rice), which are later distributed among family members.
2. Preparing for Lakshmi Puja:
   • In the afternoon, you can start preparing for the evening Lakshmi Puja. Decorate the puja room or space with flowers, and place the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.
   • Arrange a thali (plate) with fruits, sweets, and rice for the offering during the puja. Ensure you have pure ghee for lighting the diyas during the puja.

Evening Rituals

1. Lakshmi Puja:
   • The evening Lakshmi Puja is a significant part of the Deepawali celebration. It is performed during the Pradosh Kaal, as per the Tamil Panchangam, to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity.
   • Light oil lamps (deepams) with cow ghee or gingelly oil and place them around your home and at the altar.
2. Lighting Firecrackers:
   • Once the puja is complete, the family can gather to light firecrackers in the courtyard or street. The fireworks symbolize the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

Dinner:

• Enjoy a festive meal with family and friends. Traditional dishes like Biryani, Payasam, and Paruppu Vada are commonly served. Prepare these dishes using pure ghee and cold-pressed oils for a healthier and tastier meal.

Post-Deepawali Celebrations

While the main day of Deepawali is celebrated on Naraka Chaturdashi, the next day, which is Lakshmi Puja day (November 1, 2024), is also significant for worship and celebrations. In Tamil Nadu, people visit relatives and exchange sweets and gifts on this day. Additionally, people spend the day reflecting on the previous year and making resolutions for the coming year.

The Importance of Pure Ghee and Cold-Pressed Oils During Deepawali

At GheeStore, we are committed to enhancing your Deepawali celebrations with our premium-quality lab-certified products, approved by FSSAI. Our range of 100% pure ghee and cold-pressed oils ensures that your food is not only delicious but also healthy.

• Pure Cow Ghee: Enhance the flavor of your sweets and traditional dishes with GheeStore’s pure ghee, which is free from preservatives and chemicals.
• Cold-Pressed Oils: Whether it’s gingelly oil for the oil bath or groundnut oil for preparing festive snacks, our oils are extracted using traditional methods, ensuring they retain all their natural nutrients and flavor.

This Deepawali, ensure your family’s well-being and enjoy the rich, authentic taste of traditional Tamil cuisine by using GheeStore’s premium products. Visit GheeStore to explore our range of ghee and oils, and take advantage of our festive discounts.