Diwali  Happy Diwali
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Diwali Celebrations In India: Diwali is celebrated all over India and abroad. The rituals vary from region to region within India. Each state have a legend and ritual attached to the festival of Diwali. The day falls on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin, (October/November) every year. This festival also known as the Festival of lights is celebrated all over India and Abroad by lighting diyas and lamps, bursting crackers, worshipping and exchanging gifts. Whatever maybe the legend or story behind the festival, all people buy new clothes and jewellery and exchange sweets, burn lamps and Card parties are held during the nights. People clean their homes beforehand and decorate their homes with torans and rangolis, flowers and floral decorations and diyas on the day of Diwali and prepare lavish meals to be had after worshipping. In every village, town and city of India, Diwali is celebrated with fervor and it is seen as a festival of unity.  Diwali In South India:
In South India, Diwali is on Naraka Chaturdasi or the day of Narakasura Vadha, when people burst crackers after lakshmi puja at dawn.
Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the festival is called Deepavali. Deepavali in South India falls in the Tamil month of aipasi (Thula month), 'naraka chaturdasi tithi', preceding Amavasya. It is a big festival when people start making preparations the day before. People clean their ovens and add nicely smear it with lime. They then add four to five drops of Kumkum and fill it with water for the next day's oil bath before sunrise. The whole house is cleaned thoroughly and decorated with Kolam (Rangoli) patterns using kavi (red oxide). The puja room or altar is cleaned and all puja ingredients kept ready, such as betel leaves, betel nuts, plantain fruits, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, gingelly oil, turmeric powder, scented powder. Even the new dresses to be worn the next day along with crackers are kept ready after purifying them with a little Kumkum and sandalwood paste. Everyone arise before sunrise and mix Kumkum in oil to represent Narakasur's blood. Then they break a bitter fruit which represents Narakasur's head that was smashed by Lord Krishna. They apply the paste to their foreheads and take a bath with sandalwood paste early before sunrise as they think doing so is equivalent to taking a dip in the holy Ganges. The eldest member of the family apply gingelly oil to the heads of the younger members. A puja is performed of the family deities followed by breakfast consisting of special dishes such as Urad dal Murukku, Velli appam, Adhirasam, Thenkuzhal, Sweet dishes like Payasam, Pal Kova, Wheat halwa, Diwali Lehiyam, Mysore pak. Crackers are burst followed by a traditional visit to the temples.
 Andhra Pradesh: In Andhra Pradesh, Deepavali is one of the seven most important festivals celebrated. The festivities begin early in the morning when people start visiting temples after having a sacred bath and wearing new clothes. At night fire crackers are burst and homes are lit up with lamps and diyas. Sweets form an integral part of Deepavali in Andhra Pradesh and sweet dishes such as Paramannamu, Panasa Thonalu, Boppai Halwa, Pesara Pappu Payasam are prepared as well as gifted. In Hyderabad, there is a tradition of giving a bath to the buffaloes on the day of Diwali. Some areas host local stage story telling events called Hari Katha. Many areas make huge dummies of Narakasura out of firecrackers which will be burst by a person dressed as Lord Krishna or his consort Satyabhama.  5 Days Of Diwali: Day 5
Diwali Celebrations In South India |
