Danny FernandesDiwali The Festival of Lights
Diwali, the festival of light brings together people from all communities in their collective fight against darkness and negative entities. A tradition rooted since ancient times portrayed by the slaying of the giant Narkasur by Lord Krishna and symbolized by the victory of good over bad, Diwali is special in everybody’s hearts and minds. A lighted diya stationed at every corner of the house and the scintillating lanterns on the streets evoke hearty feelings of love, happiness, and prosperity.
There will be no one who has not been a part of or witnessed this playful and timeless universal tradition. Diwali festival and tradition is not restricted to a particular community but is a collective festival of light, which denotes success, brightness, and love towards all human beings. The Indian civilization has always believed in the well-being and prosperity of all hence we are familiar with terms like ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ & ‘Sarv Dharm Sadbhav’. Our ancestors accommodated and nursed even strangers since the timeless ages and provided shelter to people from different countries which proves our large heartedness and kindness towards the guests.
If we look at the different events conducted before and after Diwali, there will be numerous of them enacted in every nook of corner of our country right from the North, West, East to the South. Every state has its own ageless tradition of Diwali celebration but on the whole, the context remains the same, the ushering of good times by purging darkness from our lives and society.
But when it comes to the West Coast, along with Maharashtra, the Diwali rituals in Goa are exclusive and distinct in design and character. One such most loved and eagerly anticipated pre-Diwali ritual is the burning or slaying of Narkasur, a giant demon killed by Lord Krishna on Narak Chaturdashi. Pre Diwali tradition of Narkasur burning is also called ‘Choti Diwali’ in Goa.
Narkasur Vadh
During the olden days, the Narkasur burning festivities were not as pompous and glorified as it is now, with technological brilliance displayed on the effigies a sight to behold. Different areas and localities from North to South Goa hold their own competitions for the best Narkasur figures based on design, technology, context, and ideological themes.
The finalists are awarded amazing rewards and cash prizes which makes the event even more exciting with Narkasur effigies touching the sky and the bodies inflated to make it look gigantic. The effigy body is created using dried hay, metal, bamboo planks, wood strips, hard twisted wires, and stuffed with unused apparel, hay, cardboard, and a host of innovative materials. The idea behind the big fat demon is to make it look menacing and appealing with fire-emitting eyes and a handlebar moustache.
Some creative boys from urban and rural localities go further by creating an electronic art installation with automated controls using some time-tested circuits and hard-coded wires. The olden Narkasurs were simple and monotonous made using hay, stuffed clothes, and bamboo strips but nowadays it is a technological riot where the head, hand, legs, and even the body of the Narkasur simply move in unison or individually at the click of a button. You can even find some Narkasurs emitting hazy smoke and fire from their ears, mouth & eyes creating a frightening sound and art installation on the streets.
The Narkasurs are carried out in a grand procession on high chariots and paraded through the streets before burning at dawn. The ear-deafening sound and art installation on the streets creates a nightmare for the kids and awe for the elders and teenagers who stop their vehicles just to have a look at this cultural wonder of Goa.
According to some historians and elders, Narkasur was slayed in Goa by Lord Krishna on Narak Chaturdashi hence the festive celebration in Goa. The demon king Narkasura had created havoc on earth and was slayed by Lord Krishna with his famous ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ splitting him into equal halves.
The huge crown gracing the Narkasur’s head, sharp lance and spears firmly gripped in his hands, six-pack abs and muscular effigy is an unbelievable masterpiece designed and developed by the Goan youths during Diwali. People eagerly await the time to set the effigy on fire and wait till dawn to witness the spectacle. The final act of burning the Narkasur is the culmination of the Narkasur event before commencing the Diwali festival. The firecrackers laden inside the body and at times remote-controlled firecrackers create a loud explosion of sorts shaking the whole space with its fiery fireworks.
Goa’s Diwali festival is a beautiful amalgamation of festive spirit, décor, and Narkasur effigies, all followed and revered in equal measure. The legend of Narkasura Vadha and its timeless tale followed by Diwali has captivated people for generations. This pre-Diwali tradition in Goa is a unique custom passed down from generations to weave a captivating story of good over bad times.
This brings us to the conclusion that we should never give up doing good work and strive towards uplifting all in the society to bring a revival in the country. This old adage proves to us that no matter how long the lies prevail truth always wins – “Satyamev Jayate”.
Goan Diwali Tradition: Dispelling Darkness Via Community Participation
Since ancient times, Goa has been recognized as a land full of mystical and mythological traditions enacted in remote hinterland villages covering scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Every village in Goa has a distinct identity when displaying streaks of cultural and social traditions. Diwali in Goa is unique due to the community participation of people from all walks of life covering caste, creed & social strata. Narkasur is a unique Goan version of Diwali that unites people from far and wide.
When it comes to the glorious festival of Diwali, Goans leave no stone unturned by converging from all corners of the state to create giant-life figurines and characters of Narkasur symbolizing good over evil and victory of light over darkness. Such is the enthusiasm for this once-in-a-year event that even old people share their knowledge when creating the dazzling & gigantic Narkasur effigies.
But with the advancement of technology in local traditions, it is the younger generation who are at the forefront leading all the events related to this exclusive Goan festival.
With so much anarchy, negative events, non-conformist attitudes of people, and uncivilized behaviour prevalent everywhere compounded by people’s helplessness in affecting change by themselves in society, this amazing festival of Narkasur Vadh lets people imagine it as a fantastical respite from the daily harsh realities of life.
Slaying or burning of Narkasur effigies releases the pent-up frustration and negative emotions of people by keeping them happy and in good spirits even for the day.
But this is not the end of the story!
The victory of good over bad and superseding light over darkness is a perpetual fight that people need to inculcate in their everyday lives.
Be it in our neighbourhoods, society, or everyday life, we need to slay our inner Narkasurs like greed, corruption, hatred, and other forms of vices. Then only we can call ourselves truly liberated and happy.
If you are a tourist looking for unique cultural extravaganzas and festivals exclusive to Goa during Diwali, then Soul Travelling can provide you with the best local experience displayed in different villages and city squares. Relive the joy and tradition of Goan Diwali by witnessing it live at the cultural and city squares of Goa’s streets.
DM us @soul.travelling or Call us @ +91-9529490245 to get a first-hand experience of the Narkasur festivities right from the hectic start of collecting raw materials, assembling the parts, and erecting the monstrous figures at makeshift workshops and at some fixed junctions.
Are you ready for the Narkasur Vadh ritual? Come, bring your friends along, and join us for this entertaining and educating event.
