Goa gets into the mood of Diwali

The five-day festival began from Tuesday night.

Diwali is a Festival of Lights. It is celebrated to mark the mythological story of Lord Krishna killing Narkasur – the devil. To celebrate this victory over the evil, the whole ambiance is lit with lights.

Many people in Goa still celebrate it by lighting Ponttyo, the traditional earthen lamp with oil. But now it’s taken over by candles as well as the electric lights. But real fun is different kind of Akashdive hung outside the houses.

Here is a poet Gwadalup Dias who also celebrates Diwali with Akashdivo and traditional Indian costumes. 

But nowadays in Goa, unfortunately the Narkasur has become the hero while Krishna killing the Narkasur is hardly depicted.

There are Narkasur competitions held in different cities while more than that are the Narkasur effigies are installed along the streets.

The music of Electronic Dance and Music Festivals – the EDMs – is played and the youth dance at it throughout the night. The effigies are then burnt early morning. 

Then begins the real Diwali in the homes. Creative Rangolis are drawn at the front doors of houses. The tradition of decorating earthen pots in house with seasonal flowers still continues in the villages like this village of Khotigao in Kankon.

Though this tradition has disappeared in the cities, the Ovalnni by the housewife continues everywhere. The whole family wears formal clothes and the ritual takes place. 

And then the Festival of Fov. Different varieties of Fov are made, mixed with curd to milk to coconut juice.