PrashantNews
Amid big confusion, the Uttarakhand government on Tuesday declared Oct 31 as holiday on occasion of Diwali instead of Nov 1.
Since the treasury will be shut on Oct 31, all banks will also remain closed on that day (Thursday). The state government had earlier declared Nov 1 as holiday.
But a section of Pandits said the diwali should be celebrated on Nov 1 only. “We have advised people to celebrate Diwali on Nov 1. The puja time (muhurat) will be between 5.30 Pm and 8.50 PM on Nov 1,” said Pandit Khushiram Maithani. ”We are very clear about the date and timing of Diwali,” said Pandit Maithani.
However, a large number of Pandits said the Amavasya in the Kartik month will fall on Oct 31 and hence diwali should be celebrated on that day (Thursday) only. Leading Indian dailies also carried stories saying Diwali should be celebrated on Oct 31.
Amid big confusion over Diwali date, top seers including Shankracharyas have kept themselves away from it.