Deepavali 2024: Festive celebrations begin today

Udupi/Mangaluru: The much-anticipated festival of lights, Deepavali, will be celebrated with grandeur across the coastal region. Residents will observe traditional rituals over the course of three days, filling homes and communities with lights, prayers, and festivities.

Celebrations in Homes and Temples

The festivities begin with a ceremonial water-filling ritual this evening, October 30. Temples across Udupi and Mangaluru will hold special prayers, lighting rituals, and unique offerings as part of the festivities.

On October 31, at 5:17 am, the traditional tailabhyanjana (oil bath) ritual will be conducted. That evening, residents on the northern side of Mulki Shambhavi River will light lamps both in fields and in their homes, a ritual that symbolizes the beginning of Deepavali. On the following day, November 1, southern regions of the Shambhavi River will light their lamps, continuing the region’s deep-rooted traditions.

The festival concludes on the morning of November 2, with go puja (cow worship) rituals conducted during the auspicious window from 6:25 am to 9:40 am, or after 11:15 am. Additionally, October 31 and November 2 are designated for special Lakshmi puja and the traditional Angadi puja (shop blessings).

Shopping for Eco-Friendly Lamps and Festive Essentials

Shoppers are busy purchasing traditional clay lamps and eco-friendly lanterns for their homes, as families prepare for the evening lamp-lighting on Wednesday. Eco-friendly decorations and sustainable options have gained popularity, with many homes choosing to display goodu deepa (hanging lamps) to enhance the festive spirit.

As Deepavali celebrations unfold, the coastal community looks forward to sharing the joy of this auspicious festival with loved ones, embracing customs that have been passed down through generations.