Slaying the demon, this is how Goa starts Diwali celebrations (Reference Image)
Advertisement
The people of Goa have a rather unique way of celebrating Diwali. The festivities start, well, with the burning of a demon's effigy.
As part of the Diwali celebration, the people of Panaji burnt the effigy of demon Narakasura on Monday. "This is our first time to India and it is a wonderful experience to see the Diwali festival. We are really happy to celebrate this festival with the Goan people," a tourist told ANI.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Narak Chaturdashi is a Hindu festival that falls on Chaturdashi or the 14th day of the Krishna Paksha in the Shalivahan Shak Hindu calendar month of Kartik. It is also referred to as Kali Chaudas, Narak Chaudas, Roop Chaudas, Choti Diwali, and Narak Nivaran Chaturdashi.
It is the second day of the five-day Diwali festival. According to Hindu tradition, Narakasur, an asura or demon, was slain on this day by Krishna and Satyabhama.
"It is believed that Lord Krishna had defeated demon Narakasura in Goa. That is why the concept of burning the effigy of statue of Narakasura is so popular," said Shantram Naik, one of the organisers of the ceremony.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
"It is believed that Lord Krishna had defeated demon Narakasura in Goa. That is why the concept of burning the effigy of statue of Narakasura is so popular," said Shantram Naik, one of the organisers of the ceremony.
{{/usCountry}}
To commemorate the victory of good over evil, larger-than-life effigies of Narakasur are made, stuffed with fireworks and burnt in the morning.
The followers in Goa usually start their Diwali festivities after the effigy-burning ritual and distribute sweets among themselves.
"The effigy is burnt around 7 am and after that people go to their house and prepare for the Diwali celebration," said the organiser.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.
