Mukti Mandap Pandit Sabha fixes October 20 date for Diwali celebration

Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): The uncertainty surrounding the date of Diwali celebrations in Odisha has finally been settled. The Mukti Mandap Pandit Sabha of Puri has declared that both Diwali and Paya Shraddha will be observed on October 20, ending confusion caused by varying calendar interpretations.

According to the Sabha, Amavasya will start on October 21 but last for only 14 minutes, rendering it inauspicious for Diwali celebrations. 

Based on detailed astrological calculations, the Sabha stated that the rituals for Diwali and Paya Shraddha should commence from 3:23 pm on October 20.

The priests clarified that celebrating Diwali on October 21 would not conform to traditional Hindu customs and timings.

The Sabha has also urged the Odisha government to declare October 20 as a public holiday for Diwali in accordance with its findings.