Diwali is celebrated for two days in Tamil Nadu.
Naraka Chaturdashi (Small Diwali for North Indians) is the main day celebrated by all Tamil people.
According to the Puranas and Tamils believe that Lord Krishna had killed Narakasura and on his request, this day is celebrated by bursting crackers and as a festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
How Tamil people celebrate Diwali:
❀ The day starts with the parents giving oil massage to the younger children of the house followed by oil bath in hot water. The elders have to apply oil on each other. It is believed that by taking bath with oil on the day of Diwali, Devi Lakshmi comes to our homes in the form of Ganga early in the morning and on this day, at 4 to 5 in the morning, all the water in the world turns into Ganga.
❀ The whole of Tamil Nadu observes Gauri Vrat on Amavasya day or on the main Diwali day. Well this
Gauri Vrat is also celebrated as the biggest day of celebration by Kannadigas (Kannad People) and Telugus (Telugu People) as Gauri Vrat. Wear new clothes and make Kolam (Rangoli) in front of the house.
❀ Sweets are made, flowers are placed in earthen pots and offered to Bhagwan Shiva and Parvati, prayers are offered to break the fast and crackers are burst with the family.
❀ But Tamil people do not light the lamps (The main reason for this is that there is a lot of rain and wind during October-November.) So only after a month, when the rains subside,
Karthigai Deepam takes place where the lamps are lit. Rows are lit and the Deepam festival is celebrated grandly.
There are many other customs which people follow according to the region. Therefore all Tamils celebrate Diwali along with the rest of the Indians on the same day without lighting any lamp.