PANAJI
Diwali, the festival of lights, begins this year with a low and a dampened spirit, thanks to Covid-19 pandemic that has restricted the public movement and personal interactions in the community.
Albeit, in the pandemic times, the biggest festival of India begins on Friday with Dhanatrayodashi, marking the birth anniversary of God Dhanvantari, the father of medicine and Ayurveda, even as the market sentiment remained low.
Diwali marks the victory of truth over falsehood and good over evil. As the people of Goa gear up for the festivities, with earthen lamps, akash kandils and sweets, the homes that have witnessed untimely deaths due to Covid in the past couple of months, are not in a mood to celebrate the festival of lights.
On the other hand, in Ayodhya, the Ram Mandir complex is lit with over six lakh earthen lamps this year with the UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath lighting the first lamp.
This year, Narak Chaturdashi and Mahalaxmi Kuber Pujan falls on the same day, November 14, which is Amavasya or no moon night.
The new year for the Gujarati community and Padwa in Maharashtra is on Sunday, November 15 and the festival that’s most awaited by the siblings “ Bhaubeej is next, on November 16.
This day is celebrated as the brothers’ and sisters’ day among the Sanatan Dharma followers. Tulsi Vivah, which is also called Dhakali Diwali in Goa, will be celebrated between November 26-29.
