Sharma clarifies that Diwali will be celebrated this Sunday

The National President of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Purohit Brahmin Maha Sabha of Fiji, Vigyan Sharma has clarified that Diwali will be celebrated this Sunday although the time period for Diwali pooja is between 8.40pm Saturday till 5pm Sunday.

Sharma says Diwali is celebrated during Amavasya which starts at 8.40pm Saturday and finishes at 5pm Sunday.

Amavasya refers to a new moon night in the lunar month's first night and first quarter. On that day, though the moon is present, it cannot be seen with naked eyes, hence it is called a no moon day. Moreover, as the moon is invisible, the night is extremely dark.

Diwali is celebrated on the darkest night where people light as many diyas, candles etc, depicting the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Sharma says the reason why Diwali pooja and celebrations cannot take place after 8.40 on Saturday night is because based on Sanatan vedas, people have to start their fast from sunrise to do Diwali pooja and the fasting cannot begin on Saturday night.

He says this is why people will have the whole day to fast on Sunday which will also coincide with Amavasya and Diwali pooja has to be done before 5pm Sunday when Amavasya will finish.

Meanwhile, Diwali pooja will air on Radio Sargam from 3pm this Sunday.