Mahurat trading

Mahurat trading is the auspicious stock market trading for an hour on Diwali (Deepawali), the biggest festival for Hindus.

Muhurat trading in the stock market happens for about an hour on Diwali day. Usually, this trading session is held in the evening. It is a symbolic ritual which has been performed for years.

Stock brokers' offices take on a distinctly ethnic look with neatly designed rangolis and innumerable diyas lined up to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Muhurat trading is one of the many links the broking community retains with its rich past. The practice of muhurat trading has been retained and observed for ages. Usually, the Sensex closes on a higher note on the muhurat trading day. Most traders buy on this day.

With this, the traders on Dalal Street welcome the New Year on a positive note. The traditional muhurat trading on the day of Diwali still retains much significance for many traders. Many start the New Year with traditional ceremonies and pujas.

Muhurat trading is traditionally an occasion for an auspicious beginning to the traditional New Year.

Investors place token orders and buy stocks for their children, which are held for the long term and sometimes never sold. Traders normally book their intra-day profits, however small they may be.

For the trading communities of the north, the new financial year begins with Diwali. That is the reason puja is performed to accounts books and safes on Dhanteras as well as on Diwali day. A coin - which signifies wealth - is placed on the account books before the puja.

Stock brokers perform 'Lakshmi Puja' at the exchange and the customary muhurat trading takes place, where the Sensex invariably notches up a few points even in a bad market. It is believed that on the night of Lakshmi Puja, the Goddess comes to reside at the place of the puja. That is the reason why the traders and shopkeepers stay awake with lights burning all night.

The time of the muhurat trading is specified by the stock exchange. It is a part of the traditional rituals among the stock broking community. The event is believed to bring in wealth. A nominal trading time is allowed.

As Diwali also marks the beginning of the New Year, it is believed that muharat trading on this day brings in wealth and prosperity throughout the year. An auspicious beginning is thus made on the first day of the year.

See also

• National Stock Exchange of India.
• NSE & BSE Muhurat Trading Timings 2011
• Mahurut Trading in 2011
• Muhurat trading: A ritual since many years. - indiatimes.com