Dhanteras or Dhana Trayodashi marks the beginning of the five day Diwali festival. It is the auspicious thirteenth day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendar during the month of Ashwin (October/November).

People worship Lord Yamaraj, the God of death, on this day and light a 'Yama-Diya' in the night to offer prayers to him to bless them with prosperity, well-being and protection. The word ‘Dhan’ in Dhanteras signifies wealth and this day has a special significance for the business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals. People buy gold or silver jewelry or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhanteras. In Maharashtra, there is a custom to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya. In the rural areas the cultivators worship their cattle because they form the main source of income and livelihood. To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with traditional Rangoli designs to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night.

There are many mythological stories associated with this day. One such legend is that when the Gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrit, Dhanvantri, the physician of the Gods and an incarnation of Vishnu is believed to have emerged from the ocean carrying a jar of the elixir on the day of Dhanteras. Another story is about the sixteen year old son of King Hima who was doomed to die of a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. So, on the fourth day of his marriage, his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out gold ornaments and lots of silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's chamber and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of ornaments and coins and sat there the whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yama, the god of Death.

Dhanteras is followed by the day of Narakchaturdashi. It was the day when the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. On this day Hindus get up early, apply perfumed oils before bathing and wear new clothes. A large breakfast consisting of special Diwali goodies and sweets is enjoyed with relatives and friends. In the evening, a mix of bright and loud fireworks are set off in an atmosphere of joyful fun and noise. Houses are lit with several oil lamps during the evening.

The third day of Diwali is the day of Lakshmi Poojan. It is the Amavasya or the New Moon night, the last day of the month of Ashwin. It is marked with the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. As on the day of Narakchaturdashi, people celebrate with wearing new clothes, eating Diwali sweets, lighting lamps and burning firecrackers. Lakshmi Poojan is carried out at sunset with great aplomb.

Day four is called Bali Pratipada, the first day of the month of Kartik. According to Hindu legend, this day commemorates the victory of god Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation Vamana (the fifth incarnation of the Dashavatara) 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 honored and celebrated for his devotion to the Lord and for his noble deeds to his people. This day is also celebrated by lighting lamps and burning fire crackers.

The last day of Diwali is called Bhai-Dooj. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives, and brothers make gifts to their sisters. Sisters perform aarti for their brother and apply a red tika on the brother's forehead. It is a time for family reunions as all brothers and sisters in the family get together. Thus Diwali, probably the biggest and most wide-spread festival of India is celebrated with great enthusiasm, devotion and fervor.

According to one legend Narakasura was the son of Bhudevi (mother earth) and Varaha (Vishnu in his varaha – boar avatar). Another legend has it that he was the son of Asura Hiranyaksha. He established his kingdom in Pragjyotish in Assam after defeating another Danava king Ghatakasura. His dynasty ruled Assam from Karampura for many years in the prehistoric times. A peak near Gauhati is named after him.

All asuras wanted to me “amar” or immortal. However, it is not possible to make anyone immortal but that did not prevent a lot of asuras from trying. They would conjure all the ways that they could die and would seek boon from one of the Trinity ( Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar or Shiva) against those possible ways. Narakasura was no different.

He meditated on Brahma for a long time. At last Brahma was pleased with his Tapashcharya and granted him a boon. “I want to be amar”, said Narakasura. “That is not possible son. Ask a boon I can grant.” said Brahma. Narakasura knew this is what Brahma would say and he had conjured a way of becoming immortal. “Grant me a boon to die at the hands of my mother.” “So be it.” said Brahma and he disappeared.

Narakasura knew no mother would kill her own child and hence he was almost immortal. He fell in real bad company of another asura called Banasura. He soon conquered the earth and began eyeing the heaven - swargalok. Indra the King of devas knew Narakasura could not be defeated. Naraksura attacked the swargalok. Indra fled and Narakasura now ruled the heavens and the earth. Drunk with power he captured 16,100 women and made them prisoners in his palace. Indra and the other devas went to Vishnu for help. Vishnu was well aware of the boon granted by Brahma. He promised that in his avatar as Krishna, he will make sure that Narakasura is killed.

In the meanwhile, Narakasura stole the earrings of Divine Mother Aditi. Aditi's cousin Satyabhama was Krishna's wife. Aditi went to her cousin Satyabhama for help. Satyabhama was infuriated when she heard about Narkasura's ill treatment of women and his behaviour towards Aditi. She was a skilled warrior and decided to attack Narkasura. Krishna agreed with her anger and accompanied her to the war.

Narkasura possessed 11 ashtaunis (divisions) of army headed by his commander Mura. There was a fierce battle and Krishna killed Mura. Hence, he is also known as Murari. After Mura was killed, Narkasura came to the battlefront himself. There was a fierce battle between the two. Because of the boon granted, Krishna and Narkasura knew he could not be killed at the hands of Krishna. This made Krishna's task even more difficult. They aimed all the different weapons at each other. Finally, Narkasura sent his most powerful weapon called the sataghini or the thunderbolt on Krishna.

In a preordained plan, Krishna was struck by it and fainted. Seeing fainted Krishna, Satyabhama was filled with rage. She took Krishna's bow, aimed and shot an arrow straight at Narkasura's heart. Narakasura was struck and fell to the ground dying. He then realized Satyabhama was an incarnation of his mother bhudevi. He bowed and gave his salutations to his mother. Satyabhama's victory over Narakasura liberated the 16100 women. In the society at that time, such women would not have been treated with dignity. Hence, Krishna married all of them to give then a dignified place in the society. Narakasura's death is celebrated as Narakachaturdashi during Diwali.