King Bali had taken Laxmi as a slave. Vishnu, in his fifth avatar as Vaman, defeated Bali and liberated Laxmi. On this day the liberation of Laxmi is celebrated by worshipping Laxmi. Shopkeepers and merchants worship their account books and their merchandise. Light overcomes darkness and night becomes like day.
People play firecrackers.
This is New Year's Day for merchants. In the month of Bhadrapad Vaman Dwadashi was celebrated to commemorate the story of Vaman's victory over King Bali, who was thrown to hell by Vaman's third step. But since Bali had shown some goodness by keeping his word, Vaman was satisfied and made Bali king of the lower regions and promised him that on the first Pratipada of Kartik people would remember him. All Today is the feast of the brother, also called Yamadwititya, or the Second Day of Yama, because on this day Yama went to visit his sister Yami, and they waved the lamp to each other as a sign of mutual love and respect. On this day sisters wave the lamp to their brothers, and brothers offer gifts to their sisters.