DIWALI IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA
The practices in the states of Maharastra, Andhra and Karnataka are more or less the same. Maharashtrians perform puja of the cow and its calf on the first day of Diwali called "Govatsya Baras". Married women fast the whole day and pray for health and prosperity of their children.

On Dhan teras day , people buy gold and also perform Dhanvantri Puja with a special prasad made of "dhania and jaggery", Lord of wealth, Huber is also worshipped on that day.

Narakachaturdasi is celebrated with gaiety an d joy in the early hours of the morning which begins with an 'Abhyanga sanan" , special bath with fragrant oils, rose petals, chandan etc. Bali Pratipada is also known as " Padava" in marathi, on that day poor feeding is done as also maximum number of sweets are prepared. It is also a day when Govardhan Puja is performed in honour of mount Govardhan which sheltered the people from torrential rain which an angry Indra sent down and to protect from the rains , Lord Krishna had to lift the Govardhan paravat on his little finger.

Like in the north ,Bhaiya doojh is celebrated on the day after Diwali, the significance being, it is the day when Lord Yama , the God of death goes to his sister Yami's house , who prays for her brother's long life and prosperity. Therefore on that day every sister prays for her brother's long life and health. It is also called the "Bhagini Hasta Divas".

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