India, Oct. 16 -- By Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik - Author, Speaker, Illustrator, Mythologist

Diwali in north India celebrates the return of Ram from Ayodhya. Diwali, or rather Deepavali, in south India celebrates the defeat of Narakasura by Krishna. In South Indian traditions, Diwali celebrations take place on the 14th day, that is, on the eve of the new moon day. It involves wives bathing husbands with oil and unguents, early in the morning, mimicking Satyabhama and Krishna.

Then, there is the crushing of a cucumber-like fruit (karit) to represent the destruction of Narakasura. In Goa, effigies of Narakasura are burnt, and crackers at dawn. Thus, we find the north and south traditions are very different, one favouring Ram, the other favourin...