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