Diwali, all over India, is celebrated as a festival of lights. As kids, whenever we asked our parents about the origins of Diwali, the standard answer would be “It is celebrated because on this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and people in the kingdom celebrated it by lighting earthen lamps and bursting crackers”, and that is the answer we grew up to.
But people in India have managed to astonish us once again with a completely different story of why Diwali is celebrated. No matter what Bollywood stereotypes lead you to believe, Goa is actually quite rich in culture and it is here that we will find this surprising version of the origin of Diwali.
People in Goa believe that the demon Narakasura, who terrorised villages and the people in it, was killed on this day by Lord Krishna and people celebrate it on Naraka Chaturdashi, otherwise referred to as Choti Diwali.
Legend has it that the demon Narakasura ruled Goa in ancient times, kidnapped girls and terrorised the villages. The people prayed to Lord Krishna for help.
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A great battle was fought between the demon king and Lord Krishna, who shot his Sudarshan Chakra, cut off the demon’s head and slit his tongue, thus freeing people of his terror. With Narakasura dead, peace returned to the villages who celebrated it by lighting lamps.
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On Diwali, the women of the house prepare a mixture of sandalwood, scented oils and other fragrant ingredients called ‘utnem’, and effigies of Naraksur are prepared by the people filled with grass, wastepaper, crackers etc which is then burnt with great pomp and show.
The burning of the demon effigy marks the triumph of good over evil and the oil is believed to purify the people of their sins. I am sure this little trivia fascinated you and gave you a whole new vision of our country existing as a diverse but united country. Never thought I’d say this but now I want to visit Goa for completely different reasons, to be a part of their Diwali celebrations.