Did You Know About Goa's Unique Diwali Celebrations, The Narakasura Chaturdashi?

The “festival of lights” is a celebration of good over evil and people all over India mark the day by lighting diyas (clay lamps) and eating delicious treats. However, there are some unique Diwali customs that are practised by particular communities or states alone. For instance, the storytelling tradition of Harikatha is commonly held in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other nearby states, but is not so prevalent in the north of India.

Goa’s Narakasura Chaturdashi festival is another example of a tradition that is practised in just a handful of states. Here’s what you should know about it origins and significance.

Another Tale Of Good Versus Evil

According to mythological tales, Narakasura was a mighty demon king who ruled over the Earth. He was born from Bhudevi, the goddess of the Earth, and Varaha, a boar form of Lord Vishnu. As Narakasura grew up, he started to pray to Lord Brahma and requested a boon that he be killed only by the hands of his mother. Lord Brahma granted him this request. Flushed with power, Narakasura became arrogant and wicked and used his power to harm the gods and humans; he would kidnap girls and torture them. The captives and the villagers prayed to Lord Krishna to help free them from the demon. Thus, Krishna and his spouse Satyabhama—an avatar of Bhudevi—killed Narakasura, fulfilling the boon that he had requested from Brahma and freeing the villagers from his bane. The tales further state that after Krishna released all the kidnapped women, they lit a series of oil lamps in celebration.

How Goans Celebrate Narakasura Chaturdashi

The mythological sources say that Satyabhama and Krishna killed Narakasura early one morning right before dawn. In preparation for Narakasura Chaturdashi, paper-made effigies of the demon are filled with grass and firecrackers. These effigies are burnt early in the morning by men, and firecrackers are burst, after which people return home to take a scented oil bath. Lamps are lit in a line, after which women perform an aarti for the men. Gifts are exchanged, and a bitter berry called kareet is crushed under one’s feet to symbolise the vanquishing of Narakasura. Different varieties of poha and sweets are made and eaten with family and friends. The festivities of the Narakasura Chaturdashi take place a day before Diwali.  

The Narakasura celebrations are not only a cultural tradition but also impart a spiritual lesson to Goans. It reminds them of the importance of fighting against injustice and oppression and upholding the values of truth and righteousness. It also teaches one to celebrate life with joy and gratitude and share happiness. It is said the festival persisted even during the Portuguese rule in Goa but remained subdued due to restrictions on religious freedom. After liberation from the Portuguese, the tradition was revived and embraced by the younger generation in Goa. Across the state, residents adorned the entrances of their homes with traditional akash kandils (lanterns) to signify the onset of Diwali.

Where To See The Narakasura Chaturdashi In Goa

This year, the Narakasura Chaturdashi will take place on October 31. Parades of Narakasura effigies take place in most of the major cities of Goa such as Panjim, Ponda, Mapusa, Vasco da Gama and Margao, to name a few.