What is "balipratipada"

(, or पाडवा, or ) is the third day of Deepavali (Diwali), the Hindu festival of lights. It is celebrated in honour of the notional return of the demon( Daitya)-king Bali to earth. Bali Padyami falls in the Gregorian calendar months October–November. It is the first day of the Hindu month Kartika and is the first day of the bright lunar fortnight (day after new moon day) in the month. It is also called the Akashadipa (lights of the sky). It is celebrated as the first day of the Vikram Samvat calendar, in Western India. It is celebrated as New Year Day in Gujarat and marks beginning of New Vikram Samvat Year.

According to Hindu mythology, Bali Padyami commemorates the victory of god Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation Vamana, the fifth incarnation of the Dashavatara (ten major incarnations of Vishnu) defeating Bali, and pushing him to the nether world. But Bali was bestowed a boon by Vishnu to return to earth for one day on this day to be honoured and celebrated for his devotion to the Lord and for his noble deeds to his people.