Celebrations begins eight days before Narak Chaturdashi . It is called 'Aathvinde'. i.e. the eighth day of the Krishna paksha of the Ashwin month of the Hindu calender. All the sweets are prepared before this day and stored in a big wooden trunk. From this day onwards we start drawing Rangolies on the 'Angan'(a square elevated plane) in the frontyard. Basically in old days they use to spread ash around the house so that the ants don't enter the house to eat the sweets and savory that is prepared. Next important day is Vasubaaras which is Ashwin krushna dwadashi. On this day ladies worship cow and its calf. Many ladies observe a fast on this day and consume only hand processed food. Dhantrayodashi- The next day which is Ashwin krishna Trayodashi called Dhantrayodashi or Dhanteras. On this day in the evening, we perform dhana(gold coins), and weapons puja. The prasada(offering) for the puja is dhane-gul (coriander and jaggery). A diva made from wheat flour called 'Yumdiva' is lit and kept outside. Lanterns (Akash Kandil) are hung outside the houses. Narak Chaturdashi - The first day of Diwali. On this day we wake up at dawn. Then 'Abhyanga Snaan' is performed. It is the bath with special herbs. The person has to sit down on a 'paat' (flat low level wooden stool) which is placed on a rangoli. Then 'utne' (scented herbal powder) is applied to the body of the person, oil is applied to the nails and coconut milk is applied on the person's hair. While the person is bathing someone bursts fire-crackers outside. New clothes are worn. After the bath the eldest lady in the family performs an aarti of all the members of the family. A 'Chirote'(a kind of fruit of a tree) and gundi( packet made out of castor leaf in which they put takalyachya shenga(pods from a particular plant), and old garlands from the doors) is moved around the person in circle from top to bottom in a clockwise direction and thrown out. Then you have to push a small lamp made from wheat flour known as 'ujali'. It is believed that warming the legs over the 'ujali' is a symbol cleansing yourself after coming from the Narakasura's (demon) funeral". On this day the a special sweet made out of rice rawa, coconut milk and jaggery called 'Ravoli' is made. Also a special rangoli called 'Ravoli' is drawn in the morning. Amavasya/Laxmipuja - that is new moon day, on this day in the evening on 'angan'( a Square elevated plane) in the frontyard rangoli is drawn on that a 'paat'(flat low level wooden stool) is placed. On this 'Dhandive' are lit. These are made out of stems of a cactus (Nivdoonga) by cutting them into eleven small pieces. These are scooped and are filled with oil and lit. These are known as 'Jaavai'. These 'Javai' are arranged on a paat and are lit at twilight. A puja with coconut, banana, flowers, betel leaf ,betel nut is performed and the naivedya(offering) of ghee and sugar is offered. After this fireworks are burst.     Balipratipada - also known as Padwaa. The first day of Kartik month Kartik Pratipada this is one of the three and half muhurta(that is one of the most auspicious day) of the Hindu calendar.This is also new years day for Gujarati community. On this day people get up before dawn . The entire house is swept. The waste is collected in a boxtop which is to be thrown out. A karanji( kind of sweet preparation) and 'ujali'(lamp made out of wheat dough) are kept in the boxtop. Now the main lady of the house takes a kersuni(broom) and sweeps every corner of the house holding the boxtop at bottom and chants "Ida Pida Javo, Baliche Rjjya Yevo, Ghar dhan dhanyani, Mula balanni, Sukh samppatini, Samruddhini bharo, gotha gai guranni bharo,". While she is doing this kids in the house bang the 'taat'(metal dinner plate) with a 'pali'(serving spoon) which is considered as a symbol of removing the poverty from the house. When every corner is done a servant takes this boxtop around the crossroad near the house keeps it there and firecrackers are burst. Throughout this process the servant is not supposed to look back. Once the servant returns Abhyanga Snaan is performed by the family members. People wear new clothes . On this day hawkers sell salt shouting 'Diwalinaa Shagan'. Sea salt is considered as Laxmi so on this day salt and 'dhane'(corriander seeds) are purchased. Aarti of the family members is performed and husbands give ovalani(gifts) to their wives. Then the preparation of the Bali puja is done. A special kind of rangoli called 'Aasan' is drawn on the 'Aangan'( square elevated plane) in the frontyard and a 'paat' is placed on it. Now on this five balls made out of cow dung is kept in such a way that four are at bottom and the fifth one on top then it is sprinkled with 'gulal'(pink kind of kumkum). On these the five 'Nivdoonga' from previous day Javai puja are arranged. An idol of Raja Bali is also placed in the center. . A puja with coconut, banana, betel leaf ,betel nut, flowers is performed and the naivedya(offering) of ghee and sugar is offered. After this fireworks are burst. Bhaubeej- On this day sisters perform an aarti of their brothers and pray for their long life. Brothers give them gifts and blessings. It is based on a story when Yama, lord of Death, visited his sister Yami (the river Yamuna). Yami welcomed Yama with an Aarti and they had a feast together. Yama gave a gift to Yami while leaving as a token of his appreciation. So, the day is also called 'YAMA DWITIYA'. Tulshiche Lagna On the day after Kartiki Maha-ekadashi Tulsiche Lagna (marriage) is performed. A pot containing the tulsi plant is painted with Chuna(calcium carbonate) and decorated with colored dots. An idol of Shri Krishna or Shaligram is kept in the pot as the groom, branch of sugarcane is also planted in it. The vastra(clothing) made out of cotton and haldi and kum kum and Saubhagyalen(i.e green bangles, mangalsutra) called 'Karanda Phani is put on Tulsi stem. In a white cloth washed with haldi they put five raw Chinch(tamarind), five Boras(berry), five Amlas, five Khariks(raw dates), five Suparies(betelnuts) , five dried tumerics, five almonds, handful of rice, five velchi keli(small bananas), money and tie this cloth like a pouch around the tusli stem in the pot. Then aarati is performed naivedya of ghee and sugar and sugarcane is offered. This is how the Tulsi vivah is performed. This marriage can be performed on any day up till Tripuri Purnima. These days are also known as 'Dev Diwali' (diwali of the Gods). .