Muhurta for Yamadeepam-Dhanateras-Deepavali Puja 2023

Muhurta for Yamdeepam, Dhaneteras and Deepavali Puja 2023

“The significance of Deepawali is

the Removal of Darkness and Ignorance

from the mind

and

filing it with Goodness”

Difference between ‘Pradosh Kaal’ and ‘Pradosh Vrat’ (Pradosham)

‘Pradosh Kaal’ starts just at the time of Local Sunset and lasts up to two Muhurtas or four Ghatis or 96 minutes. In my opinion, ‘Pradosh Kaal’ occurs daily. The exact timing may vary based on the geographical location and seasonal changes. This period is considered very auspicious and it is ascribed to Lord Shiva, hence regarded to be a powerful time for spiritual activity because to the universe’s alignment. ‘Pradosh Vrat’ also known as ‘Pradosham’ is the Hindu practise of fasting while paying homage to Shiva during ‘Pradosh Kaal’ that falls on the Trayodashi Tithi (Thirteenth Lunar Day) day of both the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) moons.

Yamadeepam Puja

Yamadeepam is a ceremony done on the Trayodashi Tithi when the Deepak (Ghee lamp) is lit outside house for Yamaraja(God of Death) to ward off any premature death of any family members. The Deepak is lit outside home during Sandhya(the meeting time of Day with Night, which is just before and during sunrise and sunset) time.

Dhanteras Puja

Dhantrayodashi, also known as Dhanteras, the first day of the five-day Diwali celebrations. On this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during the churning of the Milky Sea at an auspicious time. Hence, on the auspicious day of Trayodashi, the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera, who is the God of Wealth, are worshipped. However, Sri Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya day, i.e., after two days of Dhantrayodashi is considered more significant. Dhanteras is also observed as Dhanwantari Trayodashi or Dhanvantri Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the God of Ayurveda.

To calculate the Muhurtas for Dhanteras and Deepavali Puja, the following parameters must be considered:

Hindu Maas (Month): Kartik (which generally falls in October/November)
Krishna Paksha: Dark Fortnight
Tithi (Hindu Lunar Day): 13^th day of the Lunar fortnight
Pradosha Kaal: Period of approximate two Muhurtas or four Ghatis, (equivalent to 96 minutes approximately) starting from the time of Sunset. The exact timing may vary based on the geographical location and seasonal changes.
Sthir Lagna (Fixed Rising Sign): Vrishabha/Taurus

Note

‘Lagna’ means Zodiacal Sign rising at the East Horizon
‘Sthir’ means ‘Fixed’ or say a position that is not subject to change. ‘Sthir’ (Fixed) Zodiacal Signs) are Taurus, Leo and Scorpio

Deepavali Puja (Sri Lakshmi Puja)

The calculation to find Muhurta for Deepavali Puja is same as per Dhanteras, only difference is the Tithi. Deepavali falls on the night of the Amavasya Tithi (New Moon)

For (Ayodhya, India)

Trayodashi: 12:35 pm 10 Nov 2023 – 1:57 pm, 11 Nov 2023

Muhurta for YAMADEEPAM Puja

Date: Friday, 10 Nov 2023

Vrishabh Kaal: 5:30 pm – 7:27 pm

Muhurta: 5:13 pm – 6:32 pm

Muhurta for DHANTERAS Puja

Date: Friday, 10 Nov 2023

Pradosh Kaal: 5:13 pm – 7:50 pm

Vrishabha Kaal: 5:30 pm – 7:27 pm

Muhurta: 5:30 pm – 7:27 pm

Amavasya: 2:44 pm 12 Nov 2023 – 2:56 pm 13 Nov 2023

Muhurta for DEEPAVALI Puja (Sri Lakshmi Puja)

Date: Sunday, 12 Nov 2023

Pradosh Kaal: 5:12 pm – 7:49 pm

Vrishabha Kaal: 5:23 pm – 7:19 pm

Muhurta: 5:23 pm – 7:19 pm

For Auckland, New Zealand

Trayodashi: 8:05 pm 10 Nov 2023 – 9:27 pm, 11 Nov 2023

Muhurta for YAMADEEPAM Puja

Date: Friday, 10 Nov 2023

Muhurta: 8:05 pm – 10:03 pm

Muhurta for DHANTERAS Puja

Date: Friday, 10 Nov 2023

Pradosh Kaal: 8:05 pm – 10:03 pm

Vrishabha Kaal: 8:35 pm – 10:45 pm

Dhanteras Puja Muhurta: 8:35 pm – 10:03 pm

Muhurta for DEEPAVALI Puja (Sri Lakshmi Puja)

Amavasya: 10:14 pm 12 Nov 2023 – 10:26 pm 13 Nov 2023

Date: Sunday, 12 Nov 2023

Pradosh Kaal: 8:05 pm – 9:41 pm

Vrishabha Kaal: 8:30 pm – 10:40 pm

Muhurta: 9:40 pm – 10:26 pm (in my opinion)

Note: All the parameters for Muhurta calculations are NOT met. In my personal opinion, Start puja in Pradosh Kaal, i.e., between 8:05 pm and 9:41 pm. Then continue your Puja at least till Amavasya starts at 10:15 pm. This way Puja duration would cover Pradosh Kaal, Vrishabha Kaal and Amavasya Tithi

Alternate Muhurta for Auckland New Zealand

Some are in the opinion to take Amavasya on Udaya Tithi. i.e., Tithi at the time of Sun rise. For Auckland, New Zeeland that falls on Monday, 13 Nov 2023. All parameters for calculating Muhurta are supposed to meet, indicating Muhurta between 8:19 pm -10:05 pm.

Without prejudice: In my opinion, some academics blindly calculate Muhurtas as a norm without knowing their significance and practicality. Therefore, Alternate Muhurta

Muhurta for DEEPAVALI Puja (Sri Lakshmi Puja)

Date: Monday, 13 Nov 2023

Tithi: Amavasya (10:14 pm 12 Nov 2023 – 10:26 pm 13 Nov 2023)

Pradosh Kaal: 8:06 pm – 10:05 pm

Vrishabha Kaal: 8:19 pm – 10:40 pm

Muhurta: 8:19 pm – 10:05 pm

Points to Ponder Upon

In my opinion, the following are some point to take into consideration:

1. Muhurta on 13 Nov 2023 is too close to the end of Amavasya Tithi and to me this may not be very auspicious.

2. Imagine having a child in India on 25 December 2023, at 11 p.m. You and your new-born return to New Zealand after a few months in India. When would you celebrate his/her birthday? Naturally, 25 December 2024. Why not on 26 December 2024? Changing the birth time to New Zealand time, 11 p.m. 25 December 2023, would be 6:30 a.m. 26 December 26. But you will still celebrate his/her birthday on 25 December every year. If you preserve India’s calendar date why change Deepavali?

3. It is challenging to get an accurate date when using traditional Hindu calculations and translate it to the Gregorian calendar. But my point is Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya and became king on Kartik Amavasya,. The incident happened in Ayodhya. Thus, we should celebrate Deepavali when Ayodhya does.

4. Deepavali is celebrated during the night of Amavasya and on 13 Nov 2023 Amavasya ends 10:26 pm

4 . I think that all we need to do is locate the closest Muhurat that corresponds with the Indian celebrations that are taking place in India.