Chennai, People in Tamil Nadu celebrated Diwali with traditional fervour having special sesame oil baths, wearing new clothes and bursting crackers on Saturday.

Though it is the bursting of crackers that usually wakes people up early in the morning, this time around it was subdued owing to early morning rain here.

Later the sun came out and people started bursting crackers.

Friends and relatives wishing each other on the national festival asked the ritualistic question -- "Ganga Sthanam Aachha" -- had your bath with the holy water of Ganga river?

"We got up early and had our oil bath. The morning round of cracker bursting got over," J.Murali, a public sector employee told IANS.

Neighbours exchanged sweets, savouries and the special Diwali Leghium -- a herbal jam.

The temples also saw sizeable number of devotees to offer prayers on this special day.