Demon king Bali's annual return; Padwa marks Vikram New Year and Diwali Padwa in the West and South

Bali Pratipada, on Kartika Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali, commemorates the righteous asura king Mahabali. Bali, grandson of Prahlada, had conquered the three worlds through his virtue and generosity. When Vishnu came as the dwarf Brahmin Vamana and asked for three steps of land, Bali gave it despite his guru Shukracharya's warning; Vamana grew to cosmic size, covering earth and heaven in two strides, and Bali offered his own head for the third step. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu made him king of Sutala and granted that he could return to earth once a year to visit his people, which he does on this day. In Maharashtra it is Diwali Padwa, when wives perform aarti of their husbands and receive gifts, and a figure of Bali is made from cow dung and worshipped with the words 'Ida pida javo, Balicha rajya yevo' — 'may troubles go and Bali's kingdom come'. In Karnataka it is Balipadyami; in Gujarat Bestu Varas, the New Year; and it is the first day of the Vikram Samvat year. Merchants open new accounts, and Govardhan Puja is also performed.

A festive day; no fast.