Click to play videoChennai: Festive season is on and south is all set to celebrate its Diwali on Monday. Celebrations in Tamil Nadu begin early in the morning with a customary oil bath followed by a puja of the family’s deities.
Unlike in north India, down south the festival marks the occasion of killing of a demon Narakasur by Lord Krishna. People get up before sunrise and it is a custom to have an oil bath on this special day.
Devotees then eat the lehiyam, a bitter concoction and finally its over to new clothes, crackers and sumptuous food.
Sweet dishes add a special flavour to the celebration and busting of crackers mark the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura.
Narakasura was a demon who imprisoned thousands of inhabitants. He used to eat people for his meal. And, finally it was Lord Krishna who subdued Naraka and freed the prisoners.
In the morning, the eldest family member applies sesame oil on the heads of all the family members. Then, it's off for a bath, beginning with the youngest in the family. They then wear new clothes to express their joy and excitement.
After the puja, it is time for breakfast which consists of murukku, a south Indian sweet dish and, of course, idli or dosa.
Some communities believe that when Narakasur was to be killed, Lord Krishna asked him his last wish and he replied saying that he wanted to enjoy the last day of his life in a grand manner and therefore Diwali was celebrated.
That was the beginning and the practice continued.
In the evening, lamps are lighted and crackers are burst. This marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the Naraka. As most of the cracker manufacturing units are in Tamil Nadu, there is no dearth of fireworks here.
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