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The most important Indian festival of Diwali is spread across as many as six days, especially in Maharashtra, and five in most of India, and just one in some parts.
For Marathis, the celebrations start a day before Dhanteras, called Vasu Baras or Govatsa Dwadashi. Go means cow and vatsa means calf; Dwadashi or Baras means the 12th day. No wonder, on this day, the cow and calf are worshipped. The legend behind this is of King Prithu, son of the tyrant King Vena. Due to the ill rule of Vena, there was a terrible famine and the earth stopped being fruitful. Prithu chased the earth, represented by a cow, and ‘milked’ her, thus bringing prosperity to the land.
The second day (first in north India) is Dhanteras, from dhana-trayodashi or dhanwantari triodasi (13 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): dhana means wealth and trayodashi means 13th day. This day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month. It is considered an auspicious day for buying utensils and gold, hence the name dhana. This day is regarded as the Jayanti or birthday of God Dhanvantari, the physician of the Gods, who emerged during the great Samudra Manthan - the churning of the great ocean by the gods on one side and the demons on the other.
The third day is Naraka Chaturdashi (14 Krishna Paksha Ashvin), the day on which the demon Narakasura was killed by Krishna. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. In Gujarat, the day is known as Kali Chaudas and in Rajasthan, it is called Roop Chaudas. In traditional south India, this day is the real Diwali, with Hindus waking up before dawn, having a bath with oils that has fragrances added to it, then dressing up in new clothes. Kolam or rangoli in front of homes is a must. A grand brunch concludes the festivities.
The fourth day, the main Diwali day in most of India, is the day of Lakshmi Puja (15 Krishna Paksha Ashvin). It is the day Goddess Lakshmi is supposed to come home. Homes are lit by lamps of every hue to welcome the benevolent goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The fifth day, or the day after, is the day for Govardhan Puja as it is said to be the day Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. In Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the same day is celebrated as Bali-Pratipada or Bali Padyami, the day Vishnu defeated demon-king Bali by assuming the role of Vamana the dwarf, who gradually assumed gigantic proportions, taking the demon king by surprise. Marathis celebrate the day as Padava or Nava Diwas (new day), with husbands gifting their wives on this day.
The sixth day is celebrated as Bhaiduj, when brothers and sisters express their love for each other. Gujaratis call the day Bhai Bij, while Bengalis know the day as Bhai Phota). The legend behind this day is of Yama, the lord of death, visiting his sister Yami (the river Yamuna). Yami apparently welcomed Yama with a luncheon feast. Even today, a brother shares a meal with his sister on this day.
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