Diwali is a special festival that is believed as the victory of good over evil and the one that brings brightness and prosperity in the life of people. Here is the difference between South India celebrating Bali Padyami and North India celebrating Bhai Dooj.
Indian festivals are celebrated with different rituals in the south part of the country and north part of India.
Likewise, Diwali is also celebrated in India with different rituals. Today being the last day of Diwali celebrations, the south celebrates it as Bali Padyami that is also called Balipratipada and the north celebrates it as Bhai Dooj.
Here is the significance of Bali Padyami and Bhai Dooj.
Bali Padyami:
This festival is celebrated in honour of Asura King Bali, welcoming him to earth. The festival falls, according to the Georgian calendar, in the months of October and November.
Bali Padyami is the commemoration of Lord Vishnu's victory over King Bali. Lord Vishnu had come in Vamana (dwarf) avatar to defeat Bali.
According to scriptures, Bali was strong and was challenging threatening the Gods and Goddesses with his growing power. The Gods requested Lord Vishnu to help them. It is then that Lord Vishnu took the avatar of a dwarf and approached the Bali' kingdom.
Vamana sought a favour from Bali, who is known to fulfil his promises, no matter what. Bali is also a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Vamana asked for enough space to walk three steps and Bali readily agreed to the same.
As the wish was granted, Vamana started growing and his first step covered the entire earth and the second step covered the sky. When Bali witnessed this, he realised his fault and asked Vamana to keep the third step on his head. With this, Bali was pushed to sutala (the nether-world) that is below the earth.
But as Bali was also loved by his people and he was Lord Vishnu's devotee, Bali was given a boon to come and visit his people once a year. Thus, on this day of Diwali, people believe Bali visits his people and that is why people welcome him with diyas and food.
However, people of Kerala state welcome Bali during Onam festival.
Bhai Dooj:
This festival that is also known by different names such as Bhaubeej, Bhai Tika, Bhai Phonta is celebrated on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha during Diwali or Tihar festival and Holi festival.
Bhai Dooj celebrations are similar to Raksha Bandhan, where the younger brother ties rakhi to the elder sister, who gifts him in return. It is a promise made by the brother to protect his sister.
Mainly, the Kayastha community celebrates Bhai dooj twice - once during Raksha Bandhan (during Holi) and the other one during Diwali.
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