Muhurat Trading 2025: NSE, BSE Holiday List Released for Diwali and Dhanteras

The festival of lights is not just a time for celebration; it’s also one of the most anticipated days in India’s financial calendar. As Diwali 2025 approaches, both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have officially released their holiday schedules, confirming the date and timing for Muhurat Trading 2025.

This unique one-hour trading session, held every year on Diwali day, marks an auspicious start to the Hindu financial new year. Investors, brokers, and institutions across India come together to make symbolic trades, hoping for prosperity and success in the coming year.

Understanding Muhurat Trading

Muhurat means an auspicious moment in Vedic astrology. In the stock market context, Muhurat Trading is a specially scheduled one-hour trading session on Diwali, believed to bring prosperity and good fortune when you begin or add to your investments. This session is more symbolic than strategic; many traders place token trades in fundamentally strong companies rather than making aggressive bets. 

While it is steeped in tradition, the session is fully operational, trades are placed, executed, and settled under the regular mechanisms. Historically, Muhurat Trading often ends on a positive note, reflecting the festive optimism. 

NSE & BSE Holiday Schedule 2025 Around Diwali

To plan your calendar, here’s what the exchanges have announced:

• October 21, 2025 (Tuesday): Market closed for Diwali (Laxmi Pujan), but Muhurat Trading will be conducted.
• October 22, 2025 (Wednesday): Market closed for Balipratipada (also called Govardhan Puja day)
• October 19, 2025 (Sunday): Dhanteras falls on this day, which is already a weekend, so there is no separate trading closure beyond weekend schedules.

Thus, while regular trading is suspended on those days, the exchanges explicitly make way for the Muhurat Trading session even on a declared holiday. 

The full list of 2025 stock market holidays (for NSE, BSE, MCX) includes these festival dates along with national and religious observances. 

Muhurat Trading 2025 — Date & Timings

The big change in 2025 is the timing. Traditionally held in the evening, Muhurat Trading 2025 will take place in the afternoon:

• Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 (Diwali day)
• Session Timing: 01:45 PM to 02:45 PM 
• Pre-Open Window: 01:30 PM – 01:45 PM
• Trade Modification Cutoff: 02:55 PM

This marks a significant departure: the first time since 1957 that Muhurat Trading is not in the evening slot. Exchanges will issue circulars to confirm any further adjustments. 

Trading will span multiple segments, equities, F&O, currency derivatives, commodity derivatives, and Securities Lending & Borrowing (SLB), under the same time window. 

Key Highlights & What’s New in 2025

1. Afternoon Shift Breaks Tradition

The move from evening to afternoon has stirred considerable attention. It’s not just about daylight convenience; many brokers believe it may reduce operational strain and risk in after-hours trading.

2. Full Obligation Settlement

Trades executed during Muhurat are not exempt from regular settlement rules. All trades carry standard obligations.

3. A Symbolic New Year for Investors

The session symbolically inaugurates the Hindu financial new year (Samvat 2082). Many retail and institutional investors use this as an opportunity to begin with positivity and renew their portfolios.

4. Low Volume, High Sentiment

Investor activity is usually modest, focusing on quality stocks. Volatility might spike due to the compressed one-hour window.

5. Trend Favoring Positive Bias

In many past years, market indices ended higher during Muhurat. Over the last 16 years, indices have closed positively in 13 sessions.

Strategy Tips & Stock Insights

Plan Ahead, Do Your Research

Pre-select a few stocks or sectors you trust. Use stock research tools well in advance, examine financials, growth prospects, and fundamentals. Avoid last-minute decisions.

Focus on Core & Established Names

Instead of speculative bets, consider quality companies, including those in AI stocks or the technology space, which are garnering investor attention. Reliable names tend to weather volatility better.

Use Muhurat Trading as Symbolic Start

Treat your trades as symbolic starters, not your full portfolio. The idea is more about intent than aggressive positioning.

Be Wary of Volatility

A short window means amplified price swings. Keep stops tight and don’t overexpose. Price jumps in one direction can happen within minutes.

Do Not Rely on Muhurat for Returns Alone

Muhurat trading is a tradition, not a guarantee. Your long-term performance depends more on macro fundamentals and disciplined investing.

Sample Annual Holiday Snapshot (Oct 2025)

Date	Event / Holiday	Market Status
October 19, 2025	Dhanteras (Sunday)	Weekend (no trading)
October 21, 2025	Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)	Holiday with Muhurat session
October 22, 2025	Balipratipada / Govardhan Puja	Holiday (markets closed)

This aligns with the official listing from NSE, which shows October 21 as a holiday for Diwali with a special trading session.

Conclusion

Muhurat Trading 2025 marks a pivotal shift in tradition, moving from evening to afternoon, on October 21 from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM (with modifications until 2:55 PM). Exchanges such as NSE and BSE remain closed for regular trading that day and the following day, but open this one window for a seasonal ritual.

This special session remains rooted in belief, a symbolic gesture more than a strong market driver. Investors should see it as a festive refresh point. Use stock research, pick solid names, stay cautious about volatility, and remember that your long-term success depends on consistency, not rituals.

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Disclaimer:

This content is made for learning only. It is not meant to give financial advice. Always check the facts yourself. Financial decisions need detailed research.