Robust sales add glitter to Diwali sparkle this yr

Cheer and gaiety enveloped homes and streets as most of Mumbai's 11 million population began celebrating the five-day festival of Diwali on the weekend.

- Bella Jaisinghani

Festivity will peak at Monday's Narak Chaturdashi. The Lakshmi Puja mahurat spans from 6.08 pm to 8.38 pm as per the Kalnirnay almanac. Bombay Stock Exchange will conduct its mahurat trading from 3.00 pm onwards, with the bell being rung around 6.30 pm. Companies, institutions, and individual traders will open new books of account by performing the Chopda Pujan during the evening.

In a rare occurrence, Balipratipada, or new year Vikram Samvat 2079, will unfold the same day as Bhai Dooj on Wednesday, October 26. The two normally fall a day apart.

This year, Diwali Pahat musical programmes are witnessing a robust turnout. Shri Shivaji Mandir, Dadar, has a three-day medley of shows with the highlight being songs of Pt Hridaynath Mangeshkar on his 85th birthday on October 26.