Shivaranjini Ambalavanan, Tamil Nadu
“Two days prior to Deepavali (Diwali), lights are hung in balconies, sweets and savouries prepared. Schools are off on the day of Deepavali. The morning routine begins with oil bath, prayers and then breakfast. Sweets and savouries are distributed to friends and family. Extended family is invited for lunch. Since crackers are not allowed in Dubai, we enjoy the glittering lights, sweets, the festive spirit and rangolis.”
Chinmayee Mayya, Karnataka
“We Kannadigas begin Deepavali celebrations with an oil bath on Narakachaturdashi celebrating the victory of Lord Krishna over the Asura (demon) Narak who had imprisoned 16,000 women. During Deepavali, we worship deity Laxmi in all her forms during which shops are decorated. The next day is Bali Padya, a very auspicious day according to Indian mythology. We seek blessings of our elders on this day. We light a lamp every evening and adorn our homes with light decorations.”
Sahdeo Yadav, Jharkhand
“We start Diwali celebrations two days before Dhanteras by cleaning and white washing our homes. Back home, we apply water mixed with cow-dung in the front yard and surroundings. We use rice powder to put rangoli in front of our door.
On Dhanteras, we do puja of Dhanvantari deity. Women buy kitchen utensils/gold/silver and keep them in the place of worship. The next day, we celebrate Choti Diwali (small Diwali). Women decorate the house with traditional oil lamps. We also include our domestic animals in the celebrations.”
Sumana Prashant Naik, Maharashtra
The day before Diwali is celebrated is Narakachaturdasi when [according to Indian mythology] Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura. This is an auspicious day. On this day in Maharashtra, people take a special bath with a mix made of special herbs. They smash a bitter fruit called Karat with their feet, symbolic of killing the demon Narakasura. Plenty of savouries and sweets are prepared. The following day is the main Diwali with the lighting of the lamps as integral to the celebrations.
Richa Sharma, Rajasthan
“While some Indian communities buy gold on the day of Dhanteras, we Rajasthanis bring soil from river or forest area as symbolic worshipping of deity Laxmi. On the third day, the all-important day, businessmen do Diwali puja in their offices with special sweets. We also celebrate it as ‘annkute’ in which people make several types of food items and visit and greet each other.”
