The stock market will be open for 1 hour on November 1, 2024, the auspicious day of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. Officially, there is a holiday in public banks and stock markets on November 1. However, the trading window will be opened for only one hour for investors to buy/sell. In simple terms, this special live trading session is called Muhurat trading. The stock markets said in separate circulars that the trading session will be held between 6 pm and 7 pm on the occasion of Diwali.

This Muhurat trading session also marks the beginning of the new Samvat of the Hindu calendar year, which begins with Diwali and it is believed that trading during the 'Muhurat' hour brings prosperity and financial gains. Last year, Muhurat trading took place on November 12, 2023 and its timing was from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm. The pre and post market settlement session was of 15 minutes. Overall, the market was open from 6 pm to 7.30 pm.

Pre-opening session The exchange announced that the pre-opening session will be from 5:45 pm to 6:00 pm. Diwali is believed to be the ideal time to start anything new. Investors are said to benefit from trading during this session throughout the year. Since the trading window is open only for an hour, the markets are considered volatile. What is 'Muhurat' 'Muhurat' refers to the auspicious time chosen based on the position of the planets. Every year, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) hold a special trading session during Diwali to mark the beginning of the new financial year according to the Hindu calendar. BSE and NSE issue separate notifications in this regard before Diwali 2024.