Diwali
which is the festival of lights, is a one-day festival in Goa. Bhaubija and
the New year day are also celebrated as part of Diwali festival. In Goa,
huge effigies of Narkasura the demon, are made and burnt at dawn. The night
of Diwali is also be jeweled with millions of flickering candles and an
explosion of fire works and fire crackers, so it is known as the Festival of
Lights. The lamps signify enlightenment or upliftment of the mind and
edification of the spirit.
According to legend Narkasur was a Rakshas (demon) who was terrorizing the
people. He used to come down to the villages and capture and kill the
citizens. Lord Krishna killed him and freed people from his terrorism. Till
this time there was no peace because of the people's fear of the Narkasur.
With his killing, people were in a celebratory mood. They lit up their
houses with 'pontis' and hung 'akash divas' above their houses.
Narak Chaturdasi is called Diwali in Goa. On this day, early morning, a
paper made Narkasur (demon) filled with grass, wastepaper, crackers etc is
taken out and to the accompaniment of taunts and insults, burnt and
cremated. Early on Diwali day after burning the Narkasur the Hindu menfolk
will return to their homes to be massaged by their wives / mothers with the
same type oil and 'utnem'. The family then visits the local temple and
returns to a similar feast of 'foav' sweets.
