by Sanjay Saxena
Lucknow: A debate had recently emerged in North India about whether Diwali would be celebrated on October 31 or November 1. In this state of confusion, not only the general public but also scholars seemed divided. However, the confusion has now been resolved by the scholars of Kashi. Based on mathematical values, scriptural texts, visual evidence, and traditional opinions, a consensus has been reached that Diwali will be celebrated across the country on October 31.
On October 15, at the Astrology Department of Banaras Hindu University, a meeting was held involving the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, Kashi Vidwat Parishad, and various scholars and astrologers. After extensive discussion, they unanimously decided in favor of celebrating Diwali on October 31. In a press conference held at BHU, Professor Vinay Kumar Pandey, coordinator of the World Panchang, stated that there is no discrepancy in the traditional calendars.
Astrologers explained that according to all calendars, the new moon (Amavasya) begins on October 31 before sunset and ends before sunset on November 1. This establishes, according to traditional principles and calendars, that Diwali will be celebrated on October 31 throughout the country. Professor Ramchandra Pandey, Senior Vice-President of the Kashi Vidwat Parishad, noted that according to visual mathematics, in many regions of the country, Amavasya starts on October 31 before sunset and concludes shortly after sunset on November 1. Thus, there is no discrepancy regarding Diwali in those areas, and it is firmly established as occurring on October 31.
It is noteworthy that in certain regions of the country, such as parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Kerala, Amavasya begins before sunset on October 31 and persists into the evening of November 1. This has led to some contradictory situations regarding the dates. However, according to scriptural texts, Diwali is still validated as occurring on October 31 in those areas as well. Present at the press conference were Professor Chandramouli Upadhyay, Secretary of the Kashi Vidwat Parishad Professor Ramnarayan Dwivedi, Head of the Astrology Department Professor Shatrughan Tripathi, Professor Girija Shankar Shastri, World Panchang scholar Dr. Ajay Pandey, Mahavir Panchang scholar Dr. Rameshwar Ojha, and Rishikesh Panchang scholar Vishal Upadhyay, among others.
According to scripture, for determining the date of Diwali, it is essential for Amavasya to occur during the main period of Pradosh. Since there is no Amavasya during the full Pradosh period on November 1 in any part of the country, celebrating Diwali on that date is not scripturally valid.