Deepavali in Karnataka is three days. After Naraka Chaturdashi comes the new moon, when traders worship Lakshmi and open new accounts. The third day, Bali Padyami, is the one most Kannada households hold highest: the generous demon king Bali, sent to the netherworld by Vamana, returns to see his people. Lamps are lit in rows, cattle are washed and worshipped, and a fort of cow dung is built at the door.
The story
Bali's welcome takes different shapes across the state. On the coast, farmers call him to the fields with a lamp on a pole. In the north, on Hatti Habba, small figures of the Pandavas are shaped in cow dung and set round the house.
At Hassan the temple of Hasanamba is opened only once a year, for about a week around Deepavali. When the doors are unsealed, the lamp lit a year earlier is said to be burning still, and the flowers fresh.
How it is kept
- Lakshmi PujaOn the new-moon evening, in shops and homes.
- Bali PadyamiAn image of Bali is drawn or modelled and worshipped, with the wish that his rule return.
- Go PujaCattle are bathed, their horns painted, and fed.
- DeepaRows of clay lamps on walls and steps for all three evenings.
- HoligeWith kajjaya, the Deepavali sweet of rice and jaggery.
Why this date
Deepavali is given here on the Amavasya of Ashvayuja, on the day the new-moon tithi covers the hours after sunset. Bali Padyami is the next day.
Deepavali in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Kannada festivals
28 OctoberNaraka Chaturdashiನರಕ ಚತುರ್ದಶಿ
14 NovemberKartika Hunnimeಕಾರ್ತಿಕ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ
9 OctoberVijayadashamiವಿಜಯದಶಮಿ
4 DecemberSubrahmanya Shashthiಸುಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣ್ಯ ಷಷ್ಠಿ
8 OctoberMahanavami and Ayudha Pujaಮಹಾನವಮಿ · ಆಯುಧ ಪೂಜೆ
7 OctoberDurgashtamiದುರ್ಗಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
Where to see Deepavali
In Karnataka
- Hasanamba Temple, HassanKarnatakaOpen for a few days a year; the queue runs through the night.
- Udupi and the coastKarnatakaBalindra is called to the fields, and lamps of rice flour are lit.
- DharmasthalaKarnatakaThe season leads to the Laksha Deepotsava, the festival of a hundred thousand lamps.
Across India
- AyodhyaUttar PradeshLamps along the Sarayu for Rama's return.
- ThrikkakaraKeralaKerala welcomes the same king Bali at Onam.
- AmritsarPunjabThe Golden Temple lit for Bandi Chhor Divas.