Debate Over Diwali Date, Drik Siddhanta Almanac Writers Urge AP Government to Fix Festival on November 1

A group of Drik Siddhanta almanac writers is urging the Andhra Pradesh government to set November 1 as the official date for Diwali this year, challenging an alternative date of October 31 proposed by Poorva Paddathi almanac followers. The Drik Siddhanta scholars argue that their method aligns more closely with ancient Jyotisha Shastras, which prioritize Tithi (lunar day) and Nakshatra (lunar mansion) calculations for fixing festival dates.

Ponnaluru Srinivasa Gargeya, a prominent Drik Siddhanta almanac writer, explained, “According to the traditional Jyotisha texts like Nirnaya Sindhu and Dharma Sindhu, Diwali should fall on a day where the Chaturdashi Tithi (14th lunar day) leads into Amavasya (new moon) in the afternoon.” He noted that on October 31, the Chaturdashi Tithi will end at 3:51 pm, but there will be no Amavasya, whereas on November 1, Amavasya Tithi extends until 6:17 pm, making it the more appropriate date for Diwali celebrations.

Another Drik Siddhanta almanac writer, Upadrashta Nagaditya, criticized Poorva Siddhanta writers for their approach, suggesting that some past festival dates set by this method have been inaccurate. He called on the government to reconsider festival dates based on Drik Siddhanta calculations, which have been endorsed by the central authorities.

Other noted astrologers, including Gorthi Pattabhi Sastry and P. Chandrasekhar, also echoed concerns over the current method used to set festival dates. They argued that Poorva Paddathi almanac calculations often conflict with solar and lunar eclipses, causing confusion for the public. Sastry suggested organizing a debate on the matter, advocating for an official resolution to the long-standing differences between these two calculation methods.

K. Naga Malleswara Rao, another Drik Siddhanta writer, highlighted that the Centre has approved their calculation methods, which adds further credibility to their call for adjusting Diwali’s date to November 1.

As the debate continues, the Drik Siddhanta writers hope the AP government will take their recommendations into account to provide the public with accurate festival dates and reduce confusion over Diwali celebrations this year.