If a burst of crackers shocks you at 4 a.m on the day of Diwali, don't wake up cursing. Chances are that a South Indian neighbour is heralding the Festival of Lights! Whereas in the North, Diwali is celebrated in the evenings with crackers and diyas, in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the festival starts early in the morning. It is not a big affair in Kerala, where the biggest festival is Onam.

Called Deepawali (meaning a row of lights), the festival has its roots in a mythical story where in, Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura, who was proving to be a terror for the Devas (Gods) just before the first light of the day. Narakasura had been granted a boon by Gods that in the event of a battle, he could be killed only before the crack of dawn. Since battles traditionally were not fought after dusk, killing Narakasura would have been near impossible making him immortal. So when Lord Krishna did kill him with cheating, the event was celebrated with great fanfare.

Since then liberation from the evil forces is ritually celebrated a day prior to the main Diwali begun traditionally by having an oil bath, wearing new garments and distributing sweets. Crackers are of course, part of the merriment. After all, Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu meets the demand from the entire country for a variety of fireworks. During the season the sales touch worth crores of rupees.

Diwali is India is akin to Christmas in the West. “Festivities cut across boundaries to move on from small villages to the big towns, almost a month before Deepawali. Also because Dussehera, the North Indian festival of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana signifies the end of the former’s 14-year exile in the forest and heralds his homecoming – which culminates in Diwali.

Sales of expensive silk saris, jewellery and ornaments, household goods go up. From the poor to the rich, everyone indulges in shopping for the biggest shopping binge of the year. Sweets, which are an integral part of any Indian festival, are prepared in homes as well as bought from shops for exchange.

Blessings from the elders are a major feature. Finely dressed in attractive saris, families visit relatives to exchange greetings and sweets. The first Diwali of newly weds is a special occasion for the entire family. In the evenings, it is time for the children to have fun after the traditional puja, while the elders too join them. For a few hours, the problems of daily life are forgotten.

Sevashree Mohapatra

Gujarat

In Gujarat, Diwali is associated mostly with the worship of Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi on this day emerges to bring prosperity to the world. Lakshmi puja in Gujarat lasts for five days, which starts with Dhanteras. The fourth day, or the day of Govardhan Puja is Gujrati’s New Year’s Day. Lakshmi is believed to visit the homes that are well lit. So, families decorate their houses with light, flowers and paper chains.

It is also believed that lighting the new lamps will drive the evil away and poverty from the world and heralds better times.

West Bengal

In the eastern part of India, especially in West Bengal, Lakshmi puja is celebrated five days after Dussehera, on the full moon day (Purnima). On the following new moon day (Amavasya), coinciding with Diwali, goddess Kali is worshipped. Kali, the more vituperative form or the destructive incarnation of Goddess Durga, has a terrifying look. She destroys all evils. Lamps are lit in her honour, and in return, she promises a renewal of life and justice on earth.

Shivajee Das