India’s Diwali Muhurat Trading shifts to afternoon slot
Indian stock exchanges moved their traditional Diwali trading session to afternoon hours for the first time in decades. The National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange conducted the ceremonial event from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday rather than the customary evening time slot. The shift marks the start of Samvat 2082 under the Hindu financial calendar.
Traders consider the session auspicious for bringing prosperity through transactions made within the designated period. Both exchanges opened preliminary trading at 1:30 p.m. before the main hour began. Settlement procedures followed standard protocols, with delivery and payment obligations processed like regular sessions.
The Multi-Commodity Exchange and the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange held parallel festive trading periods. The Multi-Commodity Exchange allowed client code changes until 3:00 p.m. after its session concluded. National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange maintained similar scheduling with preliminary activity from 1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
The Bombay Stock Exchange initiated the practice in 1957 before the National Stock Exchange adopted it in 1992. Brokers historically performed Chopda Pujan rituals to bless account ledgers before the trading year. Markets resumed normal operations on Thursday after the celebration.
