Muhurat Trading 2025: Date, Timings, Meaning & Trends

Muhurat means an auspicious time. In India, the stock market holds a special trading session on the day of Diwali or around it, called Muhurat Trading. This session marks the start of the new Hindu financial year (Samvat 2082 in 2025). Traders, brokers and investors treat it as a moment to symbolically begin the year with new investments. They believe that trades made during this hour carry good fortune and positive sentiment. The session blends celebration, culture and markets into one event.

While the hour carries festive symbolism, all trades during that window carry full settlement obligations just like any normal trading day. The markets treat it as a real trading hour, not just a ceremonial one.

Date and Timing for 2025

In 2025 the date for Muhurat Trading falls on Tuesday, 21 October 2025. On that day, both the major Indian stock exchanges will hold the special session. Although Diwali falls on 20 October this year, the exchanges scheduled the one-hour session for the next day.

The timing of the session for 2025 lays out as follows:

A block-deal window runs from about 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A pre-open window occupies 1:30 p.m to 1:45 p.m.
The main Muhurat Trading window opens at 1:45 p.m. and closes at 2:45 p.m.
A closing/settlement-modification window may run until 2:55–3:05 p.m. or even 3:15 p.m. for trade modifications.

The markets remain closed for regular trading hours on 21 October except for this special one-hour window. They will also remain closed on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, for Balipratipada, following Diwali. Thus the session acts as a stand-alone trading hour sandwiched between two holidays.

Why the Timing Change Matters

Traditionally, the Muhurat Trading session used to take place in the evening hours on Diwali day. In 2025 the exchanges shifted it to midday/afternoon (1:45-2:45 p.m). This change holds practical and symbolic importance.

From an operational standpoint, an afternoon slot reduces logistical stress on clearing, settlement and broker operations as compared to a late evening slot. It aligns better with standard business hours for many market participants. Symbolically, it suggests that the market tradition continues but adapts to modern realities. That shift signals that while the ritual remains, the institution evolves. The change offers smoother functioning and better coordination across equity, derivatives, commodity and currency segments.

Why Investors Pay Attention

Investors and traders pay attention to Muhurat Trading for several reasons:

It marks the beginning of the new Samvat year (Samvat 2082). The feeling of a “fresh start” motivates many to place a token investment.
It taps into festive optimism. The Diwali spirit, belief in prosperity and positive sentiment often reflect in the market mood during that hour.
Historically, the session shows a positive bias. Over the past decade, data suggests markets rose in about eight out of ten of these sessions, with an average return in that hour near 0.53%.
Several sectors have tended to outperform in past Muhurat hours—auto, metals/energy, banking/financials have shown strength.

Given these factors, many investors place a small buy during the session as a symbolic stepping-stone for their long-term portfolio. They treat it less as a high-speed trade and more as a ritual investment meant to carry forward into the year ahead.

Settlement Rules and Holiday Schedule

Even though it remains just one hour, trades executed during Muhurat carry full settlement and delivery obligations. Investors must treat these trades just like any other day. Exchanges remind participants that open positions, modifications and cancellations must follow standard rules.

For 2025 the holiday schedule goes like this:

On 21 October the exchange remains closed for normal trading, but open for the Muhurat hour.
On 22 October the exchange remains closed for Balipratipada.
Regular trading will resume on the next working day (likely 23 October, though participants should check exchange notices). This means participants need to keep track of settlement dates and deadlines especially since the session falls within a holiday period.

Historical Trends and What They Suggest

Looking back at the last ten years or so of Muhurat sessions helps put the 2025 session in context:

The average return during the one-hour sessions from about 2015-2024 stands at roughly 0.53%.
Out of the last ten, about 8 sessions ended in positive territory.
The sectors showing consistent strength include auto, metals/energy and banking in many years. For example: 2024 saw auto, metals/energy and banking lead; 2023 saw PSU and small-cap strength; 2022 saw banking & financials, auto and IT show up; 2021 and 2020 had moderate gains though operating in more challenging market conditions.
Standard deviation of hourly returns during these sessions remains lower compared with regular trading hours. That suggests the move tends to be relatively modest and more stable.

These patterns tell us that while the session tends to lean positive, it remains short and its gains modest. Investors should avoid expecting outsized returns from this hour alone.

How to Prepare and Participate

If you plan to participate in Muhurat Trading 2025, here are some practical steps to consider:

Mark your calendar: 21 October 2025, 1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. is your window.
Check your broker account and demat setup: Ensure you can trade promptly in that hour; system glitches can hurt in short sessions.
Select your stocks or funds beforehand: Since the window is short, avoid last-minute panic decisions. Choose strong fundamental stocks or funds you believe in for the long term.
Use it as a symbolic start: Treat it as a ritual of the new year rather than a high-frequency trade. Many pick one or two stocks as a token investment.
Mind your strategy rather than superstition alone: The timing may feel auspicious but logic and fundamentals still matter.
Be aware of settlement & delivery rules: Even token trades carry real obligations. Don’t assume “just for fun”.
Avoid excessive risk: The hour may have low volumes and higher spreads. Avoid big speculative bets just because “the time is lucky”.
Think long term: Use the hour to initiate positions you plan to hold, not necessarily flip.
Watch the segments: The special hour spans equities, derivatives, currency and commodities segments. But conditions vary by segment so adapt accordingly.

What to Expect in 2025

For the 2025 session we can draw a few expectations:

The afternoon timing may attract more seamless participation and fewer operational hiccups compared to evening sessions in previous years.
Given the festive mood and the beginning of Samvat 2082, market sentiment may skew optimistic during that hour.
But given that the session is just one hour, it’s unlikely to move markets dramatically by itself.
If past trends hold, the session might record a modest positive return, perhaps around the average ~0.5%.
Investors who use it as a symbolic launch may gain more in terms of mindset and routine discipline than immediate returns.
This year’s shift also signals a broader point: tradition remains relevant, but market infrastructure adapts. Participants who understand both aspects will likely engage most effectively.

Cultural Angle and Market Ritual

Muhurat Trading carries a strong cultural meaning beyond just markets. It connects with the broader tradition of Diwali, the worship of the goddess of wealth, and the idea of new beginnings. Many investors perform Lakshmi Puja, open their trading books, and make token purchases. The session marks not only a financial start but a psychological one.

That cultural layer means the market behaviour in the hour often reflects collective optimism, festive emotion and community participation. In turn, that mood can translate into modest market gains or at least stable behaviour. Because of that, many brokerages and trading platforms highlight the session, offer special calls, and publish “Muhurat picks”.

Final Thoughts

Muhurat Trading 2025 will take place on Tuesday, 21 October, from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. It offers you a chance to symbolically begin Samvat 2082 with intention. Use it as a purposeful entry rather than chase high returns purely because “the timing is lucky”.

Keep your focus on strong stocks or funds, hold them for the long-term life rather than just the hour, and treat the session as a meaningful ritual of your investing practice. The shift to an afternoon slot shows both continuity and change: the tradition remains but markets evolve.

Remember: successful investing remains rooted in research, discipline and clarity of purpose—not just superstition or ritual alone. The one-hour window gives an auspicious start, but your investing journey continues far beyond it.

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