Most South Indians celebrated diwali today.
For historian, writer and environmentalist Nandita Krishna and many others in Tamil Nadu, Diwali began with an early morning oil bath, followed by a special pooja celebrating the death of Narakasura, a Hindu God.
Offerings for the God in Ms Krishna's little pooja room included Bakshanam, an array of home made delicacies. Also on the menu, a special 'lehiyum' that keeps the tummy in order for the feasting that follows.
Ms Krishna said, "The water we bathe with is supposed to be from the Ganges, and we greet each other saying Ganga Snanam Aacha which means have you had your Ganga bath?"
In another part of Chennai, newly married couple Nirmal Kumar and Shreya were pampered by the bride's family on their 'Thala Diwali' or or first Diwali after their wedding. Gifts to this bio-technologist pair included gold jewellery and clothes. A four-course special lunch also made Diwali a family reunion for them.
Dressed in a green kurta and white dhoti, Mr Kumar said, "I did not demand anything. Out of love they gifted me a watch and all...love it."
His young wife Shreya, draped in a matching sari was all smiles, as she said, "Lots of sweet, ghee, wow. Since I'm married and not here my family is doing everything to make me happy."
For many children it was an occasion to wear their traditional dresses. Thara a school student in a traditional outfit said, "You can dress up and this is one occasion you spend time with lots of family members."
Pradhyumna, an NRI flew who in from the US to experience Diwali at home, said, "I really enjoyed it. For the first time I'm celebrating in India."
While most children burst crackers, some chose not to do so on environmental and humanitarian grounds. Janavi, another high school student, explained, "We have dogs and the noise scares them, its not worth it. Also it causes environmental pollution".