Diwali Celebration in Goa

Diwali, or Deepavali, is a Hindu festival observed throughout India. It's a celebration in India of the triumph of good over evil. In India, this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It's also a celebration of Lord Ram's return from exile, as told in the epic Ramayana.

Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means "row of lights." As a result, lamps (typically earthen lamps) are lit all over the home and workplace to commemorate this festival. Diwali is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, which occurs in October or November according to astrological calculations. The Hindu month of Kartika is when this festival is held.

During this time, people all over India celebrate and have a great time. Lights are strung up in homes and offices, delicious meals are prepared, gifts are exchanged, and joy is shared by all. Diwali marks the start of the Indian business new year.

Colorful rangoli are laid out in courtyards, and then lamps are placed atop them to illuminate them for the festival. After the Sun goes down, revelers break out the crackers and fireworks, don new threads, and feast on the treats.

Significance of Diwali Celebration

The rituals surrounding the buildup to Diwali hold great significance for Indians. One month before the actual date of the festival, people begin to buy new clothes, gifts, books, lights, crackers, sweets, dry fruits, etc.

On Diwali, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi bestows her blessings on whoever worships at their home or place of business. Accordingly, the observance of this festival requires a high level of self-control and devotion.

How is Diwali celebrated in Goa?

Diwali, one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, is named after its symbolic representation of "rows of lighted lamps." Celebration of the triumph of good over evil or, more accurately, of light over darkness.

In Goa, Diwali is associated with the legend of Krishna slaying the demon Narkasur. Huge statues of these demons are paraded through the streets at this time of year in Goa before being burned on the morning of Diwali, a festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Goans exchange gifts of sweets and food. They decorate their home with bright lights and colorful patterns of Rangoli.

A Diwali day at a Goans household

The festivities of Diwali begin well in advance of the actual day of the festival. Before Diwali, people in Goa clean and paint their homes. Young people prepare Narkasur of different sizes and shapes. The Narkasur competition is held on the evening before Diwali. To mark the triumph of good over evil, giant effigies of demons are paraded and then set on fire in the early morning of Diwali.

The elders in the house begin their day with a special bath with oil, ubtan, and coconut milk. After that, they go to the local temple to pay respects to Gram Dev by lighting Diyas at home. They then return home, where they break the karit (a type of muskmelon) with their left toe in front of the tulsi and eat faral (special food for diwali).

On the celebration of Diwali, Goans typically eat a variety of Poha dishes, called fov. There are many different types of faral, such as dudhatle fov, batat fov, tikhat fov, narlache fov, godatle fov, etc., and many different kinds of faral-related foods, such as karam and chanyachi usal. 

Many Goan households hold Laxmi Pujan, during which the women of the house exchange murmura and sweets to their relatives and friends. Goan shopkeepers also participate in Laxmi Puja by offering free treats of chocolates and sweets to passing customers. The festivities of Diwali are legendary.