Deepavali Celebrations in Tamil Nadu.. In Tamil Nadu, the five-day Deepavali celebrations begin with an oil bath before sunrise. This is considered akin to taking a bath in the Ganges. Oil is symbolic of washing off the evil traits in one, such as ego and jealousy. After the bath, people wear new clothes and perform Puja.
Diwali in Tamil Nadu is marked by a combination of traditional customs and vibrant festivities. The preparation for this festival begins well in advance, as homes and streets are adorned with colourful rangoli designs and sparkling oil lamps, known as diyas.
For a Tamilan, a Deepavali celebration starts with an early morning oil bath and ends by bursting crackers at night. Textile shops and sweet shops will be flooded by Diwali shopping customers. It is the peak business season for the firecracker industries in Sivakasi.
The festival falls in the month of October/November. The term Deepavali is formed by coining the Sanskrit words, Deep (lamp) and vali (array). In Tamil Nadu, the five-day Deepavali celebrations begin with an oil bath before sunrise. This is considered akin to taking a bath in the Ganges. Oil is symbolic of washing off the evil traits in one, such as ego and jealousy.
After the bath, people wear new clothes and perform Puja. The houses are cleaned and decorated for the festival, with Kolams, betel leaves and nuts, flowers, and fruits.
Clay lamps or diyas are lit to cast away the evil spirits. Crackers are also burst to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Eateries in Tamil Nadu will be flooded with Deepavali sweets. Some of the savouries on the menu include boondi, palkova, ukkarai, omapodi, jangri, vellai appam, and pathri. Going by history, Deepavali started off as a summer harvest festival that fell on the Karthika month of the Hindu calendar. There is mention of this festival in 1st millennium CE Sanskrit texts of Skanda Purana and Padma Purana. The 11th century traveller Al Biruni has also mentioned this light of festivals in his memoir.
Diwali in Tamil Nadu is marked by a combination of traditional customs and vibrant festivities. The preparation for this festival begins well in advance, as homes and streets are adorned with colourful rangoli designs and sparkling oil lamps, known as diyas. The entire state comes alive with a mesmerising display of lights and it’s common to see beautifully lit oil lamps adorning windowsills and doorways.
One of the unique customs in Tamil Nadu is the ‘Kolam’, intricate floor designs made with rice flour or coloured powders, which are created in front of homes as a sign of welcome and prosperity. These designs come in various patterns, from simple geometric shapes to complex, artistic motifs.
Diwali celebration in Coimbatore is equally grand. The city is adorned with lights and decorations and families come together to share the joy of the festival. Temples across the city hold special prayers and ceremonies, attracting devotees seeking blessings and spiritual enlightenment.
Diwali is not just a festival of lights; it’s also a festival of flavours and feasting. Traditional Tamil cuisine takes centre stage during this festive season and several delectable dishes are prepared to mark the occasion. The most famous Tamil Nadu Diwali special sweets include:
Murukku: Murukku, a popular South Indian snack, is a must-have during Diwali. These crispy, spiral-shaped snacks are made from a combination of rice flour, urad dal flour, and spices. Murukku comes in various flavours, including pepper, cumin and even chilli, providing a delightful blend of taste and texture.
Adhirasam: Adhirasam is a sweet treat that’s synonymous with Diwali Food. Tamil Nadu has a unique way of making this sweet dish as it’s made from a mixture of rice flour and jaggery, resulting in a sticky, dough-like consistency. This dough is then shaped into small, flat rounds, deep-fried and sweetened with a rich, aromatic syrup. Adhirasam is a delightful mix of crunchy and chewy textures with a subtle sweetness.
Sakkarai Pongal: A traditional Tamil sweet dish, Sakkarai Pongal is made from rice and moong dal cooked with jaggery and flavoured with ghee, cardamom and cashews. It’s a rich and aromatic dessert that’s an absolute favourite during Diwali celebrations.
Coconut Burfi: Coconut burfi, a delicious sweet made from fresh coconut and sugar, is another one of the special Diwali Snacks. Tamil Nadu’s special version is often garnished with pistachios or almonds, adding a nutty crunch to the sweet and chewy coconut base.
Appam: Appam is a fluffy, pancake-like dish made from rice flour. It’s often prepared on the festival day and is paired with stews and other curries.
Laddu: Laddu, or sweet round balls made from gram flour (besan), sugar and ghee, are a staple dessert during Diwali. They come in several flavours and are often garnished with nuts or edible silver leaves.
During Diwali in Tamil Nadu, these mouthwatering dishes are prepared with love and shared with family and friends. Exchanging sweets and gifts is a common tradition, symbolising good wishes and the spirit of togetherness. The aroma of these special Diwali foods fills the air, adding to the festive ambience and creating lasting memories for everyone involved. Diwali in Tamil Nadu, particularly in the vibrant city of Coimbatore, is a spectacular blend of tradition, spirituality and culinary delights. As homes and streets light up with the glow of diyas and the air is filled with the scent of delicious dishes, Diwali truly lives up to its name as the “Festival of Lights and Flavours”.
“DEEPAVALI MA ANANDAVALI SUNDARAVALI NAMO NAMAHA”
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR