For Hindus who are in business and trade, the settling of accounts marks this day. Traditionally, it marks the end of the second harvest of the year, followed by fresh tilling of the land, which will bear a new crop. This is another reason why Lakshmi is so important during this festival. She is worshipped in the hope that in the new 'financial year' of trading (as the crop readies for the next harvest in March or around Holi), she will bring prosperity.

The fourth day is reserved for Govardhan puja. According to Vishnu-Puraan, the people in Gokul (the land of Lord Krishna) honoured Lord Indra (the Lord of rains) by worshipping him once after the end of every monsoon. One particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Indra, whereupon he sent a deluge to submerge Gokul.

But Krishna is saved to have saved his subjects by lifting the Govardhan parvat (mountain) and holding it aloft over his people like an umbrella to prevent them from being washed away in the floods. Idols in temples, especially those in Mathura and Nathadwara, are bathed in milk dressed in glittering attire with ornaments of gold studded with diamonds, pearls and rubies.

The fourth day is Varsha Pratipada and marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya. Thus, Vikram-Samvat also begins on this day.

The fifth day of Diwali is also known as Bhaiya-Dooj or Yama duitiya. Observed as a day which signifies love between sisters and brothers, it is celebrated by the siblings by taking a bath in the river Yamuna together, to keep away from kudrishti (the evil eye). It is believed that on this day Lord Yama had visited his sister, Yami, and she had put the auspicious tilak praying for his long life. Yama too had promised that anyone who receives tilak from his sister would never be thrown into the dungeons of hell.