Calendar

The fourth day of Diwali: Padwa & Govardhan Puja

On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhan Pooja. From then on, every year Hindus worship Govardhan to honour that first Pooja done by the people of Vraja.

Gowardhan Puja is also known as Annakut Puja. On this day food made of cereals like wheat, rice, curry made of gram flour and leafy vegetables is cooked and offered to Lord Krishna.

In Maharashtra the same day is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padva. The day commemorates victory of Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, over King Bali and subsequent pushing of Bali to Patal Lok (the underworld). It is believed that due to boon given by Lord Vamana, Asura King Bali visits the Prithvi Lok from the Patala Lok on this day.

Most of the time Govardhan Puja day coincides with Gujarati New Year day, which is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Kartik month. Depending on starting time of Pratipada Tithi, Govardhan Puja celebrations could be done one day before Gujarati New Year day.

The fifth day of Diwali: Bhai Duj

The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhai teeka. This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day dedicated to sisters. Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (a boon) that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve Moksha or final emancipation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare.

This day marks the end of the five days of Deepavali celebrations. This is also known as Bhai fota among Bengalis. Bhai fota is an event especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother’s safety, success and wellbeing.

Tulasi Vivah

Tulsi Puja plays a very significant role for Hindus. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu married Goddess Tulsi in the form of Shaligram or his Shri Krishna avatar on Prabodhini Ekadashi. As per the Hindu scriptures, Tulsi Mata is said to be the avatar of Goddess Lakshmi who is the wife of Lord Vishnu. She took birth as Vrinda, as the legends say. Hence, this day is considered to be the most auspicious day for conducting rituals and ceremonies related to marriage along with Kanyadaan.

Married women across India perform the Tulsi Vivah puja for the well-being of their husbands and family members. The Hindus worship the tulsi plant, and Tulsi herself is thought to be an incarnation of Goddess Mahalakshmi, who was previously known as ‘Vrinda.’ To obtain marital bliss, young women pray to Goddess Lakshmi with full dedication. Young, unmarried women also follow Tulsi Vivah rituals in order to find good husbands. Also, many schedule their marriage on Tulsi Vivah day as it blesses the couple with blissful married life.