2025-10-01
If you've ever wondered why the Indian stock market lights up with excitement on Diwali, you're not alone. Every year, millions of investors, from experienced traders on Dalal Street to families making their first trade, gather for Muhurat Trading, a unique one-hour session organised by the NSE & BSE.
This year, Muhurat Trading 2025 is not merely another trading opportunity; it signals a change in tradition with afternoon schedules, and blends finance with faith, investing with culture, and strategy with ritual.
In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about Muhurat Trading 2025: from the exact date and time, to its cultural roots, to stock market strategies that investors in India can actually use this festive season.
The NSE and BSE have confirmed that Muhurat Trading for 2025 will be held on Tuesday, October 21 (Diwali / Laxmi Pujan). However, unlike past years (evening sessions), this year's session is scheduled for the afternoon from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM (IST). [1]
The pre-open session will run from 1:30 PM to 1:45 PM.
Trade modification cut-off time is 2:55 PM.
On Diwali, regular trading is closed, and only this one-hour symbolic session is held. The holiday calendar confirms October 21, 2025, as a trading holiday for Diwali Laxmi Pujan, with Muhurat Trading being an exception.
Think of it this way: most days in the stock market are about numbers, charts, and strategies. Muhurat Trading, however, is about emotions, traditions, and a sense of community.
For centuries, Diwali has been associated with wealth creation, with Goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity) being worshipped on this day.
Traders from Gujarat and Rajasthan historically marked their "Chopda Pujan" (account book ceremony) on Diwali to open their financial year.
In 1957, when the Bombay Stock Exchange introduced Muhurat Trading, it provided modern traders with a means to carry this tradition into the financial markets. [2]
Today, it's not just veteran brokers in Mumbai; retail investors across India log in with their families to place their symbolic trades.
Investors often ask: "Does the market usually go up on Muhurat Trading day?"
History suggests a positive bias. While the moves are often symbolic and low-volume, the festive optimism typically pushes markets higher. [3]
Here's a quick table of the last five Muhurat Trading sessions:
| Year | Muhurat Trading (Sensex Close) | Movement | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 43,637.98 | +195 pts | Optimistic amid COVID recovery |
| 2021 | 60,067.62 | +295 pts | Buoyed by global liquidity |
| 2022 | 59,831.66 | +524 pts | Strong festive momentum |
| 2023 | 65,259 | +354 pts | IT & banks led the gains |
| 2024 | 79,724.12 | +335 pts | Broad rally led by auto & banks |
In 2025, the Sensex and Nifty reached all-time highs due to robust corporate profits and Federal Reserve interest rate reductions. Traders expect another upbeat Muhurat session this year.
Even though it's only one hour, participants adopt different approaches:
Many families buy just one or two shares of a blue-chip company (like Reliance, TCS, or HDFC Bank) as a ritual, much like buying gold.
Serious investors may add to their long-term holdings, using the festive occasion as a "fresh start" to the year.
Active traders sometimes use momentum to make small intraday gains, though volume is lighter than usual.
Cyclical themes such as FMCG, auto, banking, and consumer durables often see a spike during Diwali, as they align with festive demand.
While there's no fixed rule, specific stocks and sectors always draw attention:
Blue-Chip Favourites: Reliance Industries, Infosys, HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services.
Auto Leaders: Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra (festive sales momentum).
FMCG Giants: Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Nestle India.
PSU Banks & Infra: Benefiting from government capex and festive credit demand.
Gold-Linked Stocks: Titan Company and other jewellery-related plays often shine on Diwali.
Pro tip for 2025: With global oil prices easing and India's GDP forecasted to grow above 6.5%, auto and infrastructure plays may be particularly interesting this year.
Muhurat Trading isn't just about the one-hour candle on the chart. It's seen as a symbolic start to the year ahead.
Fed rate cuts in 2025 → easing global liquidity.
India's GDP growth forecast (6.5%–7%) → among the fastest worldwide.
Corporate earnings momentum → particularly in banking, IT, and manufacturing.
Global geopolitics (Middle East tensions, U.S. elections in 2025).
Commodity volatility (crude oil, metals).
Most analysts expect Samvat 2082 to be constructive, with Sensex targets ranging from 80,000 to 85,000 over the year, if earnings hold steady.
Muhurat Trading isn't just for market vets. Many Indian students, homemakers, and first-time investors log in after Lakshmi Pujan to place a modest trade. The act symbolises wealth, new beginnings, and participation in the financial year.
It's less about making returns that hour and more about stamping your intent for prosperity.
If you're planning to place your very first trade this Diwali, here are some practical (and festive) tips:
Don't chase speculative stocks just because they're hot.
Pick a blue-chip you'll be comfortable holding long-term.
Think of the trade as symbolic, not a gamble.
Get ready by ordering ahead, as the markets open quickly at 1:45 PM.
Even buying just 1 share counts in ritual terms; the intention matters more than the volume.
Muhurat Trading is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025, coinciding with Diwali (Laxmi Pujan) day.
The expected schedule is:
Pre-open: 1:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Muhurat session: 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Trade modification cut-off: 2:55 PM
Blue-chip stocks, consumer goods, automotive, banking, FMCG, and gold-related sectors frequently attract festive attention.
Yes. Buying even one share of a quality name is common and encouraged as a symbolic gesture.
Muhurat Trading marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, Samvat 2082, with many traders considering it the start of a new financial year. It represents new opportunities in generating wealth.
Yes. NRI (Non-Resident Indians) investors and overseas traders log in during the Muhurat session, making it a global celebration of Indian markets. Many use NSE/BSE access through brokers abroad to join.
The exchanges have shifted the timing in 2025 to 1:45 PM–2:45 PM, breaking from the traditional evening session.
In conclusion, Muhurat Trading 2025 represents both continuity and change. It is a ritual steeped in tradition, yet its shift to an afternoon session is a modern adaptation. As markets slow down for Diwali, investors get one symbolic hour to open the new financial year.
When the special window opens at 1:45 PM on October 21, remember: you're not just placing a trade, you're participating in a cultural tradition that fuses faith, strategy, and optimism.
Whether your pick becomes a long-term holding or a festive memento, the intention often matters more than the return.
Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
[1] https://www.businesstoday.in/markets/stocks/story/muhurat-trading-nse-announces-day-date-time-for-special-trading-session-on-diwali-495145-2025-09-22
[2] https://www.thehansindia.com/amp/business/diwali-2025-muhurat-trading-nse-bse-celebrate-new-year-with-special-stock-market-session-1007927
[3] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/diwali-muhurat-trading-2024-live-bse-sensex-nifty50-november-01-2024-top-stocks-to-buy-samvat-2081-gainers-and-losers-special-trading-session/articleshow/114850207.cms
