Each of the days in the festival of Diwali may be separated by a different tradition, but what remains constant is the celebration of life, relationships, family and friends. We asked a few Goans what they love most about the occasion and how they normally spend this biggest and brightest of all Hindu festivals. Here's what they had to say...
Diwali is a wonderful time to share happiness. This Diwali celebration means a lot to me. It is the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I will be celebrating it with my fiance, my family and close friends with a small get together at my new apartment which I am going to decorate with a lot of diyas. There will definitely be a lot of eating of sweets too
Sparsha Deshpande, fashion designer
Diwali for me is a unique festival celebrating family and relationships. Each day of Diwali is dedicated to these relationships. While celebrates a mother's love for her children, whereby, in the form of a mother bathes her children with sandalwood and warm water, is a special day for the spouses. marks a day for the unique brother-sister bond. Spreading joys around with sweets and smiles, this festival brightens your nights with oil lamps and lanterns while adding colors to your days in the form of exotic . A welcome break from the daily humdrum, Diwali adds a special flavor to life!
Rachana Nabar Deshpande,AR Consulting Solutions
Diwali is my favorite festival as it celebrates all the relationships we hold dear, be it the relation of the husband and wife or the one between a brother and a sister. It is yet another occasion to meet with friends and relatives and share joy and build lasting memories. Every home is decorated with aakash kandeels and every doorstep is adorned with rangoli patterns. The festival basically goes on for 5 days viz. Dhantrayodashi, narak chaturdashi, amavasya (Laxmi puja), bali pratipada and bhaubeej.
The celebrations involve burning of the Narkasur effigy on narak chaturdashi followed by an early morning ritual bath followed by feasting on the various varieties of fov along with chanyachi usal and aamadyachi karam, visiting temples, and seeking blessings. Gifting is an important aspect as well. Bhaubeej marks the eternal love between a brother and sister, wherein the sister prays for his happy and prosperous life. In Goa, however, Diwali celebrations end only after vhadli diwali which is celebrated on kartik dwadshi where the sacred tulsi plant is ceremonially married to Vishnu marking the beginning of the wedding season.
Maya K Amonkar, Assistant Survey and Settlement officer, Panaji
We start by burning the Narkasur effigy. This happens as early as 5 am. This is followed by the
Vinay Tendulkar, president, BJP state unit
