Every Diwali, as thousands of diyas flicker across India, another glow rises quietly, not from homes or temples, but from the buzzing trading floors of Mumbai. For just one sacred hour, the heartbeat of India’s economy pauses its usual rhythm and beats in tune with faith. This is Muhurat Trading, a time when the stock markets open not for profit, but for purpose.

Unlike regular trading days, this hour is steeped in emotion and symbolism. It signals a new financial dawn, a spiritual reset for traders, investors, and business families across the nation.  It is one of those rare moments when spreadsheets meet spirituality, where calculators rest beside idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha, and where ambition and devotion walk hand in hand. And in 2025, this timeless ritual returns once again, with one small but significant change.

What is Muhurat Trading? The Sacred Hour of Prosperity

The word Muhurat refers to an auspicious time, a cosmic alignment when actions are believed to bring the most favourable results. In India’s financial world, Muhurat Trading is that sacred hour.

For the uninitiated, Muhurat Trading is a one-hour session conducted by both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Diwali. This tradition began decades ago among Gujarati and Marwari trading communities, who marked Diwali as the beginning of the new financial year. Traders would close their old ledgers, perform Chopda Pujan, and open fresh books, symbolising the start of new prosperity.

When the exchanges formalised this practice, the spirit remained the same, only the tools changed. Instead of paper ledgers, investors now begin their new financial year with a click of the mouse or a tap on the screen.

Muhurat Trading 2025: What’s New This Year

In 2025, Muhurat Trading will take place on Tuesday, October 21, on the day of Diwali. This year brings a small but notable shift; for the first time in years, the trading session will be held in the afternoon, not in the evening. According to the NSE circular issued on September 22, the markets will open for a special one-hour trading session between 1:45 pm and 2:45 pm. This change, though unexpected, is designed for smoother back-end operations, settlements, and clearing activities. Despite the new timing, the meaning remains unchanged. 

The Meaning Behind Muhurat Trading

To outsiders, Muhurat Trading might look like a short, symbolic market session. But for millions of investors, it is much more than that. It is a moment of collective optimism. It is not just about profit or price movement; it is about faith, fortune, and fresh beginnings. Many families perform Lakshmi Puja at home, light diyas, and then make their first symbolic trade of the year, often buying a single share of a strong company as a token of good luck.

Even brokers decorate their offices with flowers and diyas, perform Chopda Pujan, and distribute sweets, celebrating the bond between business and belief. Over the years, Muhurat Trading has become a symbol of hope. It is a reminder that commerce can coexist with conscience, and money, when earned ethically, can be sacred.

History of Muhurat Trading

The roots of this custom go back to the early days of Indian trading communities. For centuries, business families in Gujarat and Rajasthan treated Diwali as the financial new year, closing their annual accounts and praying for a prosperous year ahead.

When the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) institutionalised this ritual in 1957, it became a formal event. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) continued the tradition from 1992. Since then, the special one-hour session has become an integral part of Diwali celebrations on Dalal Street. Interestingly, the markets often end this session on a positive note, driven by the festive mood and collective optimism, though the intention remains symbolic rather than speculative.

How to Prepare Spiritually for Muhurat Trading

For those who like to blend astrological wisdom with financial intention, here are simple, traditional ways to align your energy before participating in Muhurat Trading:

1. Light a Golden Diya: Place a golden or brass diya in the southeast corner of your space. Light it with ghee and say softly, ‘I welcome abundance and clarity into my life today.’

2. Energise a Coin for Fortune: Place a silver coin in milk mixed with saffron for a few minutes. Keep it near your trading setup as your fortune coin for steady growth.

3. Offer Water to a Plant: Pour a little water with tulsi leaves into a plant while saying, ‘May my efforts grow like this plant: steady and strong.’

4. Feed Birds with Rice and Sugar: It calms the mind, balances energy, and invites peace before the trading session begins.

5. End the Day with Gratitude: In the evening, light a diya facing north and think of three things you’re grateful for: your work, opportunities, and blessings.

These small acts are not about superstition; they are about setting a peaceful mindset before engaging in decisions that involve energy, value, and exchange.

Why Muhurat Trading Still Matters Today

In an age of algorithmic trading and 24/7 digital markets, Muhurat Trading stands out as a pause. It is a moment to remember that the economy is not just numbers and graphs but people, values, and purpose. It reminds investors that wealth creation is sacred when guided by integrity and mindfulness.

Whether you are an experienced trader or someone just beginning to explore the markets, participating in Muhurat Trading can serve as your way of saying, ‘I am ready for new beginnings. I welcome prosperity with responsibility.’

Muhurat Trading 2025 is not just a one-hour session but a celebration of collective hope. This year, as the afternoon sun replaces the usual twilight glow, the spirit remains the same. Light your diya, make your prayer, and open your heart, and maybe, your trading account, to new possibilities.

Ask Agastyaa on AstroSure.ai to discover your personalised wealth and prosperity insights today.