Diwali 2017 Day 5: Bali Pratipada

The fifth day of Diwali is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padyami or Padva. This year, Bali Pratipada day is coming on the 20^th October. This day is celebrated to celebrate the victory of the Lord Vishnu in his Vamana Avatar over the demon Bali. According to the Hindu literature, this day is celebrated to mark the return of the demon King Bali to the earth.

This day is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha’s first lunar day in the month of Kartika. According to the religious books, Bali Padyami marks the victory of the dwarf incarnation of the Lord Vishnu, the Vamana. It was the fifth incarnation of the Lord Vishnu among his Dashavatara that defeated king Bali and pushed him to another world. But even though the king was pushed by the god he was blessed with a boon of visiting the earth for a day. On this day, the King Bali is honored and worshipped for the immense devotion that he had for the Lord Vishnu and for all the good deeds that he had done for his people.

Celebrations of the Bali Pratipada

People wake up early and bath and wear new clothes. The main hall of the house is decorated with rangolis or kolam after which King Bali and his wife Vindhyavali is worshipped.

To symbolize the kingdom of King Bali forts are built out of clay and cow dung. In the night, as the sunset, the entrance of the houses and the door and window sills are lighted up with lamps. The forts are also lighted up and miniatures are kept.

On the same day, the Govardhan Puja is done in the northern parts of India and Gujarat. According to the mythology, on this day Lord Krishna saved the people of Gokul from the fierce anger of Lord Indra. He held up the mountain of Govardhan on his small little finger and sheltered the people from getting drowned.

Bali Pratipada Muhurat

Bali Puja Pratahkal Muhurat: 6: 37 to 8: 55

Duration: 2 h 18 mins

Bali Puja Sayankal Muhurat: 15: 50 to 18: 08

Duration: 2 h 18 mins