Friday, March 29, 2024
Goa

Fairs and Festivals


Diwali or Narak Chaturdasi 

Following the Dosro, comes Diwali which is the festival of lights. It is a one-day festival in Goa. Bhaubija and the New year day are also celebrated as part of Diwali festival. 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. Later, in all the houses, bath is taken. Women prepare various types of fov (dried beaten rice dusted with sugar or jaggery and wetted lightly), raitas, usol and other snacks and serve them. After the snacks are served, all men-folk are made obeisance to by a gesture  of showing a thali (plate) with lighted wicks around their heads (onvalop) which is known as 'dive darkhovnk' in Konkani. The men folk are expected to place some article or cash as a present in this plate. Later after breaking a bitter gourd, crushed by the finger of the left foot, it is applied to the tongue. Sweet snacks are taken, after making obeisance to the God and the elders.