Diwali Celebrations in Tamil Nadu

The festival of lights is celebrated in the month of aipasi or thula month in Tamil Nadu. The preparation for Diwali begins the day before when the oven is cleaned, smeared with lime and a small prayer is said before applying four vermillion dots on the oven. The cleaned up oven is filled with water for the next day's bath.

The house is washed and surroundings cleaned. Intricate rangoli patterns are applied at the entrance, sometimes with rangoli powder and sometimes with kavi or red oxide. The puja thali is set with rice, betel leaves, betel nuts, bananas, incense stick, camphor, sandal paste, gingelly oil, turmeric powder and scented powder. Freshly prepared sweets and new clothes for Diwali is also kept in the puja room beside the puja thali.

The day of Diwali begins with a customary oil bath before sunrise. Gingelly oil is applied on the head and body as it is believed to be an envoy of Goddess Laxmi. In certain parts of Tamil Nadu like Tanjore, it is a custom to take a small quantity of lehiyam which is an ayurvedic paste before breakfast.

After bath members of the family wear new clothes and gather at the puja room to offer prayers to Goddess Laxmi with camphor aarti. Lord Ganesha is worshipped first as it is a ritual. Sandal wood paste is also applied as tilak on the forehead. Diwali gifts are exchanged between family members. Diwali sweets are relished and fire crackers burnt.

It is also a ritual to visit temples on Diwali day. The state of Tamil Nadu celebrates Diwali with enthusiasm and believes in getting together for the festivities. Families separated by distance also meet during the celebrations. Sending Diwali gifts abroad to relatives and friends living there is also a custom.

Diwali is observed throughout the country with equal zeal. The customs may vary slightly but the true essence of Diwali remains intact. Get-togethers, exchanging gifts, Diwali sweets and the fireworks add to the spice and dynamism of one of the most important festivals in India.