In Tamil Nadu, Diwali is widely known by the name of Naraka Chaturdasi and the month in which it is celebrated is called Thula. The festivities of Diwali start with the cleansing of homes, decorations with Kolam and then applying lime on the floor with four to five kumkum dots. The lights are twinkling all around through diyas, candles and other electric bulbs. The five days of Diwali are termed with different regional names. The names of the festivals in those five days are given following in a respective manner:
1.Asweyuja Bahula Thrayodasi, Dhantrayodashi, Yamadeepdaan
2.Naraka Chaturdasi
3.Kaumadi Mahostavam, Karthigi Deepam, Balindra Puja
4.Bali Pratipada
5.Yama Dwitheya, Bhatri Ditya
An oil bathe before the first crack of dawn marks the beginning of the auspicious day of Diwali. The head of the family applies sesame oil to the rest of the members of the family starting with the youngest one. As soon as every body is ready in their new clothes, they have lehiyan, a bitter herbal mixture. Not just it is customary to eat Lehiyan on the festive day, but the herbal mixture helps to prevent indigestion usually caused by overeating of festive food. The breakfast contains the traditional South Indian sweet dish called as Murukku along with their staple food idli or dosa. The afternoons are dedicated to the decorations and performing puja rituals. And finally comes the evening when the mirth of celebrations is flaunted with great fervor.
There is an important belief associated with the tradition of bursting firecrackers by South Indains on this day. It is a symbol of destruction of the demon Narakasura. Certain community members in the region perform Pithru Tharpanan and in order to do it, they have to go for a second oil bathe. Another famous custom of natives of Tamil Nadu is to visit the home of their newly wed daughter and present to the couple lots of crackers.
With varied sects and communities in India, the celebrations of Diwali have got a unique dimension to it.
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