Understanding the Calculation and Variety of Diwali Dates According to the Hindu Calendar

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in India and across the world. The exact date of Diwali varies each year, falling between October and November, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. In this article, we will explore how the date of Diwali is calculated and the different variations observed in different regions of India.

Calculation of Diwali Dates by State or Union Territory

The date of Diwali is calculated differently depending on the region or state in India. In the northern states such as AS, AP, AR, and many more, Diwali is observed during the Au09b0vina Amavasya, which is the last day of the month during extended pradosha. If a leap day exists, it is sometimes used in the calculation. In southern states like TS, KL, and others, Diwali is celebrated on the Au09b6vina Krishna Chaturdasi, which is the second to last day of the month during arunodaya. While the southern date is based on early morning hours, the northern date is based on early evening pradosha. These two observances usually fall on the same day about 25% of the time.

Detailed Explanation of Diwali Date Calculation

The exact date of Diwali is determined by the Indian lunar calendar, specifically during Amavasya, which is the new moon day. The month of Diwali, known as Kartik, is the 8th month in the Hindu calendar. It often falls in October or November.

Understanding the Hindu Lunar Calendar

The Hindu lunar calendar is a crucial tool for calculating the date of Diwali. Each of the lunar months is about 30 days long and starts on the new moon day. The months are named after the star in which the full moon falls that month. For instance, the first month is Chaitra, the new year day for Telugus, Kannadigas, and Maharashtrians, typically falling between 21 March and 15 April.

After Chaitra, the months progress as follows:

Vaikā (Spring) Vai?ākh (Spring) Jyē??ha (Summer) ā?ādha (Summer) Rāvana Bhādra (Summer) Bhādra (Summer) ā?ādha (Summer) āsvi (Rainy season) Kārtika (Br?hatkā/workspace/Tamil Nadu) ārātkāla (Late autumn) Pausha (Winter) Māgha (Winter) Phālgun (Early spring)

In the month of Bhādra, the 4th day marks the celebration of GANESH PUJA. In āsvi, Durga Navaratri is observed. And, on the first new moon day of the Kartik month, Diwali is celebrated.

Rough Calculation Method

To calculate the Diwali date roughly, follow these steps:

Find the Diwali date of a particular year. Deduct 11 days from the Diwali date for the next two years. In the third year, deduct 11 days and move to the next month.

For example:

Diwali 2016 was on 30-Oct Diwali 2017 was on 19-Oct (30–11 19 Oct) Diwali 2018 was on 7-Nov (19–11 08-Oct; move to next month 08-Nov) Diwali 2019 was on 27-Oct (0731–11 38–11 27) Diwali 2020 will be around 15-Nov (27–11 16 Oct; move to next month)

Note: This method is quite approximate and should be used for rough predictions. For precise dates, consult the Hindu calendar.

Fun Fact

An interesting fact is that Diwali has never occurred on 15 October or an earlier date in the past. This unique peculiarity is due to the Gregorian calendar's base and the solar-lunar cycle alignment.

Related Keywords

Diwali Date Calculation Hindu Calendar Amavasya

Understanding the calculation and variety of Diwali dates is crucial for those planning events, religious activities, or simply curious about the Hindu lunar calendar. Whether you're in the north or the south, the Hindu lunar calendar ensures that Diwali is celebrated in a way that reflects the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance of the festival.