Tamil celebration of Deepavali; oil bath, new clothes, and sweets

Tamil Deepavali is celebrated on Naraka Chaturdashi, the morning before the North Indian Lakshmi Puja, and is the biggest festival of the year in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and among Tamils worldwide. In the Tamil tradition, Deepavali commemorates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura, who asked as he died that people celebrate his death with lights and joy. The day begins before dawn with the Ganga snanam, an oil bath: elders apply warm sesame oil to the heads of family members, followed by a bath with shikakai. It is believed that on Deepavali morning the Ganga is present in every drop of water, so the first question friends ask each other is 'Ganga snanam aacha?' ('Have you had your Ganga bath?'). Everyone then wears new clothes, which have been placed before the gods, and eats the Deepavali lehiyam, a digestive herbal paste. Families make murukku, athirasam, mysore pak, and other sweets in the days before, burst crackers in the morning, and visit relatives. Newly married couples celebrate 'Thalai Deepavali', their first Deepavali, at the bride's home.

It is a feasting festival; no fast is observed.