Diwali 2024: Know dates, traditions and celebrations in cities around India

Diwali is India's biggest festival, celebrated with great pomp across the country. This year, Diwali falls on October 31st, Thursday. Unique traditions are observed in different states and cities. Some remember ancestors, while others celebrate Kali Chaudas. Learn about these unique Diwali traditions and beliefs.

In Odisha, a state in South India, people remember their ancestors during Diwali and pray for their presence in the puja. They light jute ropes on Diwali night to guide their ancestors from heaven, preventing them from facing darkness.

In Kolkata, the tradition is to worship Goddess Durga, not Goddess Lakshmi, on Diwali. Kali Chaudas is celebrated a day before Diwali. In many homes, the idol of Maa Kali is installed two days prior. Some places also practice tantric rituals on this day.

In Tamil Nadu, before Diwali, the stove is thoroughly cleaned and five dots of turmeric or kumkum are applied to it. The stove is also worshipped during Lakshmi Puja. People wake up early on Diwali morning, apply oil, bathe, and then visit temples.

In Andhra Pradesh, Naraka Chaturdasi holds more significance than Lakshmi Puja during Diwali. It's believed that Lord Krishna, along with his wife Satyabhama, killed the demon Narakasura on this day. Thus, they worship clay idols of Krishna and Satyabhama.

Diwali is a four-day festival in Maharashtra. On the first day, cows and calves are worshipped. The next day, on Naraka Chaturdasi, a special pre-dawn bath with a scrub is taken, called Abhyanga Snan. Lakshmi Puja follows on Diwali.

In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, millions of lamps are lit along the Saryu river by the government with the help of the local administration. The sheer number of lamps creates a new record every year, attracting millions of visitors.