How Deepavali/Diwali is celebrated

Diwali is usually a five day long festival featuring different ceremonies

each day, with the third day being the main event. It is celebrated twenty days
after Dussehra. People, in general, wear their finest clothes, worship the
Goddess Lakshmi, illuminate their homes with diyas and beautiful rangolis, buy
new gadgets or jewellery, exchange gifts such as sweets and dried fruits and get
together for family feasts and celebrations. Diwali is also synonymous with
dinner parties, carnivals and fairs in North India. Gambling is a part of
traditional celebrations in the North, and card games are played late into the
night in the days leading up to Diwali.
The 5 days of Diwali and their significance
1. The first day of the festival is known as Dhanteras. It is an auspicious day to
buy something metallic like kitchen equipment, appliances, gold and silver
coins and even jewellery.
2. The second day before Diwali is known as Choti Diwali in the North, Naraka
Chaturdashi in the West and South, and Bhoot Chaturdashi in the East. On this
day, every household is lit up brightly with diyas and decorated with rangoli.
3. The third day is the main day of Diwali. The Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped
in the North on an Amavasya night (new moon day). Every household is
adorned with diyas and lights, followed by a display of fireworks and feasting.
4. The fourth day of the festival is the day for Govardhan Puja. This festival is
celebrated in honour of the feat carried out by Lord Krishna, wherein he lifted
the Govardhan mountain to protect the people from the wrath of Lord Indra. On
this day, miniature clay and cow dung figurines are made to depict the event.
5. The last day of the festival is Bhai Dooj. On this day, brothers and sisters get
together to do the tikka ceremony, with the sisters praying for the long life of
their brothers.
Celebration of Diwali all over India
Though this festival is celebrated throughout the country, the names associated
with the festival and the traditions are different in different parts of India.

West Bengal
Diwali in Bengal is known as Kali Puja or Shyama Puja and is celebrated at
night. Goddess Kali is adorned with garlands of Hibiscus and worshipped in
temples and households. The Goddess is offered sweets, lentils, rice and fish as
a part of the rituals.
The night before Kali Puja or Diwali is known as Bhoot Chaturdasi, wherein 14
candles or diyas are lit and placed in house as a part of the ritual to ward off evil
spirits. Bhai Dooj is also celebrated in Bengal in a big way and is known as
Bhai Phonta.
Uttar Pradesh
Diwali is celebrated with great pomp and fervour in Uttar Pradesh as it marks
the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya. In Varanasi, Diwali is also known as Dev
Deepawali, meaning 'Diwali of Gods'. Devotees believe that the Gods and
Goddesses come down to earth during this time to take a dip in the holy waters
of the Ganges. Prayers recited by the priests and diyas are offered to Ganga, and
the ghats are decorated with lamps and rangolis.
Odisha
In Odisha, people pray to their ancestors on the occasion of Diwali. They burn
jute sticks to call upon their ancestors and seek their blessings. This event is
known as Kauriya Kathi. On Diwali, the Oriyas also worship Goddess Lakshmi,
Lord Ganesh and Goddess Kali.
Maharashtra
Diwali is a 5-day long affair here, and different traditions and rituals are
followed on each day of the festival. Diwali in Maharashtra begins with the
Vasu Bara ritual, which is held to honour cows. Dhanteras is celebrated to
honour the sage Dhanvantari – the ayurvedic doctor of the gods. On Diwali day,
Maharashtrians worship Goddess Lakshmi, and end the festival by celebrating
Bhau Beej, also known as Bhai Dooj in the North.
Gujarat
Diwali marks the end of a year for the Gujaratis, and the day after Diwali marks
the end of a year for the Gujaratis, and the day after Diwali is celebrated as the
Gujarati New Year - Bestu Varas. Diwali, a 5-day celebration in Gujarat, starts
with Vaag Baras, Dhanteras, Kali Chaudash, Diwali, Bestu Varas and Bhai Bij.
Dhanteras is celebrated grandly in Gujarat; in many households, the women
apply kajal made from the flames of the diyas to bring in good fortune.
Goa
In Goa, Diwali is dedicated to Lord Krishna destroying the demon Narkasur.
Effigies of the demon are made and burnt down on the dawn of Narakasura
Chaturdashi, a day before Diwali. During Diwali, many people in Goa and parts
of South India smear coconut oil on their bodies as they believe it will free them
from their sins.
Punjab
In Punjab, Diwali falls around the same time as Bandi Chhor Diwas, a Sikh
festival celebrated with lighting up of households and gurudwaras, gifting,
bursting crackers and feasting. Punjabi Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi on
Diwali. The celebration of Diwali also marks the arrival of winters in Punjab.
Karnataka
In Karnataka, people celebrate the second day of the festival. The day is known
as Ashwija Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, people bathe in oil and eat sweets
to commence the festivities. The day after Diwali is also celebrated here with
much fervour, and is known as Bali Padyami. People narrate the story of King
Bali and create forts made from cow dung on this day.
Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, people bathe at the crack of dawn on Diwali day with water
mixed with oil infused with betel leaves, fragrant pepper and many other
ingredients. After the customary oil bath ritual, everyone must take a spoonful
of a herbal concoction known as Deepavali Legiyam before they begin with the
feast and festivities.The concoction is made with coriander powder, pepper
powder, cumin powder, ginger powder, cardamom powder, carom seeds,
yashtimadhu, jaggery and ghee. This mixture is said to help cure all digestive
problems that one may face by indulging in all the heavy food during this time.
Andhra Pradesh
On the day of Diwali, people celebrate the victory of Lord Sathyabama (Lord
Krishna) over the demon Narakasura. They seek blessings from the clay idols of
Satyabhama and begin the festivities.

Tradisional clothes worn on diwali

Special clothing that brings out inner light is traditionally worn for the Hindu
festival of lights called Diwali. This holiday time is also known as the “festival
of dresses.” Men, women, young people and children make use of the
opportunity to buy bright, ethnic clothing.
Diwali celebrates favorable auspices and gratefulness to the goddess Lakshmi
through a form of worship called Pooja or Puja. Appropriate attire is both
traditional and trendy. Women wear elegant sarees made from a variety of
materials, such as silk, crepe, chiffon and velvet. Men dress in classic but
contemporary kurta and dhoti. Young girls wear brightly decorated costumes
called lehengas. Boys can dress up in suits or choose to be more comfortable in
jeans and tee shirts. Even little children love dressing up in colorful robes and
dresses.
Clothing must reflect excitement and joy during the five-day celebration. While
some women flaunt designer styles, others opt for less extravagant, simpler
festival apparel.
A cheerful time to “dress for excess,” Diwali captures the essence of light and
illumination. Costume jewelry adds to the spirit of happiness, and women
embellish their hands with Henna or Mehandi.
Special Clothes Worn on Diwali
While special clothes aren't needed for Diwali, participants in the festival put on
new clothing as part of the celebration. Dressing in your best clothing, from
traditional to formal, is part of the celebration. Men might put on contemporary
styled kurtas and dhotis, while women often wear silk, chiffon or velvet saris
along with cigarette pants or ankle-length skirts called lehngas with matching
cholis or bodices, gowns or other traditional attire depending on the culture and
faith. Many garments are heavily embroidered.
Dancers may put on matching outfits for performances. Children, siblings and
other relatives may also wear coordinated outfits in the same fabrics.
While the clothing is new, when putting on jewelry to complete the outfit, it can
be heirloom or new pieces, ranging from costume to gold to priceless jewels.