Deepavali

Deepavali (தீபாவளி) means "a row of lamps", and it is one of the most loved festivals in Tamil homes. In Tamil Nadu, it has a flavour all its own: the celebration begins in the dark, well before sunrise, with a warm oil bath, new clothes, the first crackers and plates piled high with sweets. Children count down to it for weeks, and for the whole family it is a day of togetherness and sharing.

When is it celebrated

In Tamil Nadu, Deepavali is celebrated on the morning of Naraka Chaturdasi (நரக சதுர்த்தசி), the fourteenth day of the waning moon, just before the new moon, amavasai (அமாவாசை). It usually falls in the Tamil month of Aippasi (ஐப்பசி), which means October or November.

In many parts of north India, the main celebrations take place on the evening of the new moon, so Deepavali in Tamil Nadu and Diwali in the north can sometimes fall on different days.

Why it is celebrated

According to tradition, Narakasura (நரகாசுரன்) was a powerful asura who troubled the gods and the people of the earth. Lord Krishna (கிருஷ்ணர்), an avatar of Vishnu, went to battle against him. In many tellings, Krishna's wife Satyabhama (சத்யபாமா) fought beside him and struck the final blow. Before he died, Narakasura is said to have realised his mistakes and asked for one thing: that people should remember the day with lamps, baths, new clothes and happiness. That is why, in South India, Deepavali is celebrated at dawn on the day of his defeat.

In north India, Diwali is also linked with Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, when the people lit rows of lamps to welcome him, and with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi.

Whatever the story, the meaning is the same: light is stronger than darkness, and good is stronger than evil. Many families also see it as a day to let go of anger and selfishness, and start afresh.

How families celebrate

Getting ready

In the days before Deepavali, families shop for new clothes, puthaadai (புத்தாடை), and the kitchen fills with the smell of homemade sweets and savouries, known together as palagaaram (பலகாரம்). The house is cleaned and decorated.

The pre-dawn oil bath

The day starts before sunrise with the special oil bath known as Ganga snanam (கங்கா ஸ்நானம்). An elder, often a grandmother or mother, applies warm sesame oil, nallennai (நல்லெண்ணெய்), on everyone's head. Then comes a bath with warm water and seeyakkai (சீயக்காய்), a traditional hair wash. It is believed that on this morning the holy river Ganga is present in all water, so every bath becomes a sacred dip. That is why people greet each other with the question "Ganga snanam aacha?" (கங்கா ஸ்நானம் ஆச்சா?) — "Have you had your Ganga bath?"

New clothes, prayers and legiyam

In many families, the new clothes are placed before the gods, often with a small dot of turmeric, and blessed before they are worn. After the bath, everyone dresses up, lights a lamp, prays, and bows to the elders for their blessings.

Many families also take a spoonful of Deepavali legiyam (தீபாவளி லேகியம்), a traditional homemade digestive paste made with ingredients like dry ginger, pepper, jaggery and ghee. It is meant to help the stomach cope with all the rich festival food.

Crackers

Next comes pattasu (பட்டாசு): sparklers, mathaappu (மத்தாப்பு); flowerpots, pusvaanam (புஸ்வாணம்); ground spinners, sangu chakkaram (சங்கு சக்கரம்); and many more. The town of Sivakasi (சிவகாசி) in Tamil Nadu is famous for making fireworks. A few safety tips for families:

• Children should always light crackers with an adult present.
• Wear cotton clothes, not loose silks or synthetics, and keep a bucket of water or sand nearby.
• Light crackers in an open space, using a long incense stick, and stand well back.
• Think of babies, elders, pets and animals nearby, and follow local rules on when and where crackers are allowed.

Thalai Deepavali and other customs

A couple's first Deepavali after their wedding, Thalai Deepavali (தலை தீபாவளி), is extra special. Traditionally, the couple celebrate it at the bride's parents' home, where they are welcomed with new clothes and gifts. Some families also observe Kedara Gowri Vratham (கேதார கௌரி விரதம்), a vow in honour of Shiva and Parvati.

Traditional food

Deepavali is the festival of palagaaram. Favourites include:

• Murukku (முறுக்கு) and thenkuzhal (தேன்குழல்) — crunchy spirals made from rice flour
• Omapodi (ஓமப்பொடி) — fine, crispy strands flavoured with ajwain
• Adhirasam (அதிரசம்) — a traditional sweet made with rice flour and jaggery, a Tamil Nadu favourite
• Mysore pak (மைசூர்பாக்), laddu (லட்டு) and badusha (பாதுஷா) — rich sweets made with ghee and sugar
• Gulab jamun — soft, syrupy sweet balls

Sharing is a big part of the day. Plates of sweets are exchanged with neighbours, friends and colleagues, whatever their background.

Kolam and decorations

A bright kolam (கோலம்) is drawn at the doorstep, often with colour, and small clay lamps, agal vilakku (அகல் விளக்கு), glow at the entrance in the evening. Many homes add strings of lights and fresh flowers. In Tamil Nadu, the biggest festival of lamps actually comes a few weeks later, at Karthigai Deepam.

Around Tamil Nadu and the world

Deepavali is a public holiday in several countries with Tamil and Indian communities, including Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Singapore's Little India glows with festive street lights for weeks, and in Malaysia many families hold an "open house", welcoming friends of all faiths for food and sweets.

Families abroad often celebrate on the nearest weekend, with a morning oil bath, new clothes, a temple visit and sparklers where they are allowed. Right after Deepavali, many Murugan devotees begin the six-day fast of Kanda Sashti.

Wishes to share

The classic greeting is "Iniya Deepavali nalvazhthukal!" (இனிய தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துகள்!), meaning "Happy Deepavali!" Find more in our Deepavali wishes in Tamil, or create a personalised greeting with the wishes generator.