Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the biggest cultural celebrations in India. The festival also attracts travellers from several parts of the world and is slowly becoming an international celebration with places like New York City declaring Diwali a national holiday.

Coming back home, Diwali celebrations in India vary from region to region but Goa’s Diwali in a very unique way. The festivities are vibrant and simply galore.

How Goa celebrates Diwali?


Goa celebrates Diwali by slaying demon king Narakasura and celebrates
Narak Chaturdashi. Humongous effigies of the demon are made and taken around in vehicles. These are made of papers, straws, and other materials. This unique community festival marks the victory of good over evil. On the day of Diwali, people wear new clothes, eat and share sweets, exchange gifts and light firecrackers.

The tale of Narakasura

As per mythology, Narakasura was a mythical asura king who was killed by Lord Krishna’s wife Sathyabhama. Legend has it that the demon had a boon from Lord Brahma that he would die only in the hands of his mother, who was the earth goddess, Bhudevi. This made the demon more powerful and slowly he started disregarding demigods and women.
Over a period of time, the demon defeated Lord
Indra and kidnapped and imprisoned some 16000 women.
Indra then requested Lord Krishna to kill the demon and free everyone. At his request, Krishna came to the city of Narkasur on his vehicle,
Garuda, with one of his wives Satyabhama.

Soon a battle broke down between Krishna and Narkasura wherein the demon was looking victorious. At one point, he managed to hurt Krishna which left Satyabhama angry and raged. She took the matter in her hands and killed Narakasura with Krishna’s
chakra.

Satyabhama was the incarnation of Bhudevi (mother of Narakasura). Since that day, Narak-Chaturdashi is celebrated in India that falls during the festival of Diwali every year.

Competitions are held


Several Narakasura competitions are held in the state wherein winners are rewarded with cash for the best effigies. There have been effigies which reach heights of three-storey houses. In Goa, Narak-Chaturdasi is also referred to as Diwali.