தீபாவளி
Deepavali
Last reviewed:
Deepavali (Festival of Lights) is celebrated with great fervor in Tamil Nadu. Unlike North India, Tamil Deepavali commemorates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura.
Significance
Celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura and freed 16,000 captive princesses. The pre-dawn oil bath (Ganga Snanam) symbolizes purification.
Rituals & traditions
Ganga Snanam· கங்கா ஸ்நானம்
4 AM
Pre-dawn oil bath before sunrise
New Clothes· புது ஆடை
After bath
Wearing new clothes after bath
Lakshmi Puja· லட்சுமி பூஜை
Morning
Prayers to Goddess Lakshmi
Crackers· பட்டாசு
Throughout day
Bursting firecrackers
How to celebrate
Wake before dawn for oil bath applied by elders. Wear new clothes. Light oil lamps. Burst crackers. Prepare sweets - laddu, murukku, athirasam. Visit temples. Exchange gifts.
When it happens
Amavasya (new moon) in Aippasi month (October-November)
Tags
- #deepavali
- #diwali
- #lights
- #krishna
- #narakasura
- #crackers
- #sweets
- #ganga-snanam