Varshapratipada/ Pratipad Padwa

The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day Karthik Masa of the Indian calendar. It is known as Varshapratipada or Pratipad Padwa. VarshaPratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day. Newly wed females are invited over to their parents place along with their husbands. On this day, businessmen open their account books afresh, every kind of transaction, receipt or payment and business is postponed. On this day, many people try the their luck of gambling. This day is looked upon as the most auspicious day to start any new venture.

In many Hindu homes it is a custom for the wife to put the red tilak on the forehead of her husband, garland him and do his "Aarathi" with a prayer for his long life. In appreciation of all the tender care that the wife showers on him, the husband gives her a costly gift. This Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly-married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. In olden days brothers went to fetch their sisters from their in-laws home for this important day.