Bali Pratipada and Diwali Padwa 2026 (Tuesday 10 November): Bali Padyami, Govardhan Puja, Padwa for Couples and Bestu Varas

Quick answer: Bali Pratipada 2026, also called Diwali Padwa, Bali Padyami and observed with Govardhan Puja, is on Tuesday 10 November 2026 in India. In the USA, Canada, the UK and the Gulf it is on Monday 9 November. Drik Panchang gives Hyderabad's morning Bali Puja window as 06:18 AM to 08:35 AM. Kartika Shukla Pratipada runs from 12:31 PM on 9 November to 02:00 PM on 10 November.

Last updated: 10 October 2026. This guide was rewritten and expanded on 10 October 2026. Dates are from Drik Panchang for Hyderabad, consistent with our India and abroad Diwali calendars.

The fourth day of Diwali is one lunar day with many names. Maharashtra calls it Padwa and honours husbands and wives. Karnataka worships Bali Chakravarti on Bali Padyami. Gujarat opens a new year as Bestu Varas. North India lifts a hill of food for Govardhan Puja and Annakut. This page brings them together, with the Bali story at the centre. For a detailed Annakut vidhi, see Govardhan Puja and Annakut 2026.

Bali Pratipada 2026 date and timings

Why the gap after Diwali? Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November. Amavasya then lasts until 12:31 PM on Monday 9 November, which our calendar marks as Kartika Amavasya. Pratipada is first current at sunrise on Tuesday. The full panchangam is at Panchangam 10 November 2026.

Diwali week 2026: India and abroad

The story of King Bali and Vamana

Mahabali, often simply Bali, was an asura king, the grandson of the great devotee Prahlada. Tradition remembers him as righteous and famously generous; his rule is described as a time of plenty. His power grew until he ruled the three worlds, and the devas turned to Vishnu.

Vishnu took birth as Vamana, a young Brahmin boy, and came to Bali's sacrifice. Bali, who never refused a request, offered him anything he wanted. Vamana asked only for as much land as he could cover in three steps. Bali's preceptor, Shukracharya, warned him that this was no ordinary boy, but Bali kept his word. Vamana grew to cosmic size. With one step he covered the earth, with the second the heavens. With nowhere left for the third, Bali bowed and offered his own head.

Moved by his humility and truthfulness, Vishnu placed his foot on Bali's head and sent him down to rule Sutala, one of the netherworlds, and is said to have promised to stand guard at his door. As traditionally believed, Bali was also allowed to visit the earth and his people once a year. Bali Pratipada welcomes him home. Drik Panchang notes the custom of drawing a five-coloured image of Bali and his queen Vindhyavali at the centre of the home and worshipping it. In Kerala, the same king is welcomed at Onam.

For a longer retelling, read How Lord Vishnu defeated Bali Raja on Diwali day and The Vamana-Bali legend.

Maharashtra: Diwali Padwa (Balipratipada)

In Maharashtra, Padwa is one of the most loved days of Diwali. It is counted among the sade-teen muhurta, the three and a half most auspicious days of the Marathi year (Gudi Padwa, Akshaya Tritiya and Dasara are the three; Balipratipada is the half). Many families begin new ventures, buy property or vehicles, or open new account books on this day.

• Husband and wife: the wife performs aukshan, an aarti with a lamp, for her husband, applies tilak and prays for his long life. The husband gives her a gift. Many couples now see it as a day to honour each other.
• Pahila Padwa: a newly married couple's first Padwa is celebrated with special warmth, often at the bride's parents' home, with gifts from both families.
• Bali at the door: rangoli and, in some homes, a figure of Bali at the entrance. A well-known Marathi saying of the day is 'Ida pida javo, Balicha rajya yevo' (may troubles and suffering go, and Bali's kingdom come).
• Faral: the Diwali snack platter of chakli, karanji and shankarpali is shared with visiting relatives.

The full Maharashtrian Diwali, from Lakshmi Poojan to Bhau Beej, is in Diwali 2026 in Maharashtra.

Karnataka: Bali Padyami

In Karnataka, Bali Padyami (Balipadyami) is a major Deepavali day. Homes are decorated with rangoli and lamps, and Bali Chakravarti is remembered and worshipped as the generous king who comes to visit his people. In many villages, cattle are bathed, decorated and worshipped. Families gather for a festive meal, and the day is widely treated as an auspicious beginning. Customs differ between regions of the state, so follow what your elders do.

Gujarat: Bestu Varas, the New Year

For Gujarati families the same day is Bestu Varas (Nutan Varsh), the first day of the new year in the Kartikadi Vikram Samvat. In 2026, Vikram Samvat 2083 begins. People rise early, wear new clothes, visit temples and elders, and greet each other with 'Saal Mubarak' and 'Nutan Varshabhinandan'. Vaishnav havelis and many temples offer Annakut darshan. Chopda Puja (worship of new account books) was done on Diwali, Sunday 8 November.

For the full Gujarati New Year guide, see Gujarati New Year 2026 (Bestu Varas). The business new-year cycle continues on Labh Panchami, Saturday 14 November.

North India: Govardhan Puja and Annakut

In Braj and across North India the day is Govardhan Puja. As told in the Bhagavata Purana, young Krishna persuaded the people of Vrindavan to worship Govardhan Hill, which fed their cattle, instead of Indra. When Indra sent torrential rain in anger, Krishna lifted the hill on his little finger and sheltered everyone beneath it for seven days. Families shape a small Govardhan from cow dung or dough, worship it and walk around it. Temples offer Annakut, a 'mountain of food' of many dishes, to Krishna.

For step-by-step vidhi, see Govardhan Puja and Annakut 2026. For the dish list, see Chappan Bhog: 56 dishes for Govardhan Puja.

Dyuta Krida: the game of dice

Our calendar also lists Dyuta Krida on this day. As traditionally told, Shiva and Parvati played a game of dice on Kartika Shukla Pratipada, and Parvati won. Some families play a light, symbolic game at home to recall the story. It is a story about play between the divine couple, not an encouragement to gamble.

How to observe Bali Pratipada at home in 2026

• Rise early, bathe and wear fresh or new clothes. In India, the morning Bali Puja window in Hyderabad is 06:18 AM to 08:35 AM.
• Draw a rangoli at the entrance. If it is your family custom, draw or place a simple image of King Bali (and Vindhyavali) and offer flowers, a lamp and sweets.
• Remember the Vamana story with children: the king who kept his word.
• Couples: aukshan, tilak and a small gift, in the Marathi way, or simply time together.
• Gujarati homes: New Year darshan, blessings from elders, Saal Mubarak calls to family abroad.
• Krishna devotees: a small Govardhan of dough, a few dishes as Annakut, and a parikrama around it.
• Light lamps again in the evening; in the amanta calendar, Kartika month begins on this day.

Bali Pratipada abroad: Monday 9 November

In the USA, Canada, the UK and the Gulf, the deciding sunrise for Pratipada comes on Monday 9 November 2026, a day earlier than India. Monday is a working day, so most families do a short morning or evening puja and join the temple Annakut or New Year darshan on the nearest weekend. Country guides: USA, Canada, UK and UAE.

The next day, Tuesday 10 November abroad and Wednesday 11 November in India, is Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej). See Bhai Dooj 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is Bali Pratipada 2026?

Bali Pratipada (Diwali Padwa, Bali Padyami) is on Tuesday 10 November 2026 in India. Kartika Shukla Pratipada runs from 12:31 PM on 9 November to 02:00 PM on 10 November, and Drik Panchang gives Hyderabad's morning Bali Puja window as 06:18 AM to 08:35 AM.

Why is there a gap day between Diwali and Padwa in 2026?

Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday 8 November. Amavasya then continues until 12:31 PM on Monday 9 November, so Pratipada is first current at sunrise on Tuesday 10 November in India. Monday 9 November is Kartika Amavasya.

When is Diwali Padwa in the USA, UK and Canada?

Abroad the tithi falls a day earlier against local sunrise. Govardhan Puja and Padwa are on Monday 9 November 2026 in the USA, Canada, the UK and the Gulf, and Bhai Dooj is on Tuesday 10 November there.

What is the story of Bali Pratipada?

As told in the Puranas and the epics, King Mahabali, grandson of Prahlada, was a generous asura king. Vishnu, as the dwarf Vamana, asked him for three paces of land, then covered the worlds in two strides. Bali offered his own head for the third. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu sent him to rule the netherworld and, as traditionally believed, allowed him to return to earth once a year. Bali Pratipada welcomes him.

What do husband and wife do on Diwali Padwa?

In Maharashtra the wife traditionally performs aukshan (an aarti) for her husband and applies tilak, praying for his long life. The husband gives her a gift. Many couples now treat it as a day to honour each other, and new couples celebrate their first Padwa (Pahila Padwa) with both families.

Is Gujarati New Year the same day as Bali Pratipada?

Yes. In 2026 the Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas), Govardhan Puja and Bali Pratipada all fall on Tuesday 10 November in India. Vikram Samvat 2083 begins in the Gujarati (Kartikadi) reckoning.

Editor's note (10 October 2026)

This page, first published as a short Govardhan Puja and Bali Padyami note, was rewritten on 10 October 2026 to cover Bali Pratipada across regions. Dates and the morning Bali Puja window are from Drik Panchang (Hyderabad) and HinduTone's Oct to Dec 2026 calendar data. Abroad dates match our country guides. Legends are presented as traditionally told; regional customs vary, so follow your family's practice. See Drik Panchang's Bali Pratipada page for your city.