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Year Ender 2024: Be it Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali or Eid, festival dates in India caused confusion in 2024 due to lunar and regional variations. Here’s what happened and what to expect in 2025.
Year Ender 2024: Amidst the festival date confusion, the celebrations brought communities together, reflecting the beauty of tradition and diversity. (Image: Shutterstock)
Year Ender 2024: In a country as diverse as India, where festivals are an integral part of daily life, one might expect some confusion when it comes to the exact dates of celebrations. 2024 proved to be a year where several key festivals — such as Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra and Eid — saw discrepancies in their dates.
The reason?
It all boils down to the intricacies of the Indian calendar systems, which are largely lunar or lunisolar, and the regional variations in how these festivals are observed.
In this year-end special, we take a closer look at the festival date confusion that marked 2024, explain why it happens, and provide a sneak peek into what to expect in 2025.
DIWALI (OCTOBER 31 OR NOVEMBER 1, 2024)
One of the biggest festival date confusions in 2024 was Diwali, India’s grandest festival, celebrated with much fanfare and fervour across the country.
For many, the timing of Diwali was a cause for confusion this year, as it was celebrated on two different dates: October 31 and November 1.
Why The Confusion?
Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu lunar calendar. The festival’s main day is determined by the new moon (Amavasya), and its exact timing depends on how the moon’s phases align in a given year.
In 2024, the new moon fell on October 31 for some regions, while others observed it on November 1.
This discrepancy arose because the lunar calendar varies slightly based on time zone differences, and different regions in India use different Panchangs (astrological calendars), which can lead to a one-day difference in the date.
In North India, Diwali was widely celebrated on November 1, while in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, it was observed on October 31.
Looking Ahead To 2025
In 2025, Diwali will be celebrated on October 20, which aligns with the new moon on that date. The timing of the new moon on October 20 makes it a significant and unified celebration across India.
HOLI (MARCH 24 OR MARCH 25, 2024)
Holi, the festival of colours, is traditionally celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Phalguna month in the Hindu calendar. While the date generally falls in March, the actual date can vary depending on local lunar sightings and regional customs.
In 2024, Holi was celebrated on March 25. This was the second day of Holi festivities and was celebrated across most regions of India, marking the joyous occasion of playing with colours and spreading happiness.
Why The Confusion?
The confusion arose due to the lunar calendar and the timing of the full moon (Purnima). The full moon of Phalguna began on the morning of March 24, 2024, at 9:54 AM and concluded on March 25, 2024, at 12:29 PM.
As per customs, Holika Dahan was observed on the night of the full moon, which fell on March 24, but the auspicious time for the bonfire happened between 11:13 PM and 12:27 AM (on March 25).
Looking Ahead To 2025
In 2025, Holi will be celebrated on March 14, with the full moon falling on this day. This ensures a unified celebration across India, as Holi is traditionally celebrated on the full moon of Phalguna.
GANESH CHATURTHI (SEPTEMBER 6 OR SEPTEMBER 7, 2024)
Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, was celebrated on September 7, 2024.
Why The Confusion?
Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the 4th day (Chaturthi) of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrapada. As with other lunar festivals, the exact date depends on the moon’s position, and a slight variation can lead to different celebration days.
In 2024, the Chaturthi tithi began on September 6 and lasted until September 7. However, according to Drik Panchang and the alignment of the moon, Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrate on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Looking Ahead To 2025
In 2025, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on August 27, with the Chaturthi tithi aligning perfectly for a wider celebration on this day.
DUSSEHRA (OCTOBER 12 OR OCTOBER 13, 2024)
Dussehra (Vijayadashami), the festival marking the victory of good over evil, was surrounded by confusion in 2024 regarding the exact date.
The confusion stemmed from the Dashami tithi, which lasted for two days, leading to questions about whether Dussehra would be celebrated on October 12 or October 13.
Why The Confusion?
Dussehra was traditionally observed on the 10th day (Dashami) of the Ashwin month in the Hindu lunar calendar. In 2024, the Dashami tithi spanned two dates, causing regional variation in the celebration.
According to Drik Panchang, the most widely observed day for Vijayadashami was on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
Looking Ahead To 2025
In 2025, Dussehra (Vijayadashami) will be celebrated on October 2, 2025, marking the Dashami tithi on that day.
EID AL-FITR (APRIL 10 OR APRIL 11, 2024)
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, also experienced a date discrepancy in 2024.
Why The Confusion?
Eid is celebrated based on the Islamic lunar calendar, specifically on the 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. However, the Islamic calendar doesn’t align with the solar Gregorian calendar, and the start of Shawwal depends on the sighting of the new moon.
As the moon’s visibility can vary by location, Eid was observed on different dates in different regions.
In 2024, Eid al-Fitr was celebrated on April 10 in North India, while in South India and parts of West Bengal, it was observed a day later, on April 11.
Looking Ahead To 2025
In 2025, Eid al-Fitr will fall on March 30 or March 31, but as always, the exact date may vary based on moon sightings in different regions of India. The celebration will depend on local observations of the Shawwal moon.
The root of festival date confusion lies in the nature of the lunar calendar and regional differences in how festivals are celebrated:
LUNAR CALENDAR
Many Hindu festivals, as well as Eid and Diwali, are based on the lunar or lunisolar calendar, where the dates shift according to the phases of the moon. Unlike the solar calendar used globally (the Gregorian calendar), the lunar calendar is more fluid, with slight variations in dates based on moon sightings.
REGIONAL VARIATIONS
India is a country of diverse cultures, and different regions follow their own versions of the Panchang (Hindu calendar) or may observe festivals according to local customs.
For example, Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14 in most parts of India, but in Tamil Nadu, it’s celebrated as Pongal around the same time, depending on the solar transition.
ASTROLOGICAL FACTORS
Many festivals, like Navratri and Ganesh Chaturthi, depend on tithis (specific lunar days) and the position of celestial bodies.
Astrologers and priests calculate these dates based on complex astronomical calculations, which can vary slightly.
A YEAR OF CONFUSION, BUT ALSO OF CONNECTION
Despite the confusion over dates, festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid, and Navratri bring communities together. They represent a vibrant tapestry of culture, tradition, and spirituality that transcends the boundaries of time and place.
As we look to 2025, we can expect more of the same — some date discrepancies, but also a deeper understanding of why these differences exist and how they enrich our cultural heritage.
May the new year bring more clarity, more joy, and, of course, more celebrations—no matter when they fall!