November 3rd 2013
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
enriched with millions of flickering candles and an explosion of fireworks and
fire crackers, so it is known as the Festival of Lights. The lamps signify
enlightenment or uplifting 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 inhabitants. Lord Krishna killed him and freed people
from terror. 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, nighttime, 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 men 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.
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