Mohnish Ghodekar

Diwali "The festival of light" which marks the victory of good over evils,is celebrated by almost all the communities across India.Whether be it Hindu’s, Jains,Sikhs. Or it may be Region wise North Indians and South  Indians. But the reasons for which it is celebrated varies from region to region . The delicious dishes of Fauv (kandyantle fauv, Dudatle faiv, Kalayle fauv) are usually prepared on this day. I managed to find from my parents and grandparents as to what are actual reasons of celebrating this colourfull  and bright festival of lights.

1.Return of Lord RAM to Ayodhya after their 14 years of excile and victory and killing of Ravana in Lanka. This was the day when the people of Ayodhya met a grand welcome for their king back to the kingdom.The day was full of lights and colours glittering all the ways. The city of Ayodhya was all prepared for with the musical harmony and diyas all over.

2.The Killing of demon Narkasura by Lord Krishna, This was the day when lord krishna vanished the demon who had abducted around 16000 Gandharv princesses. The evil power of this terror evil was creating havoc for the innocent people on earth. So Lord krishna gave sure short solution for this by killing the demon with his universal sudarshan chakra. So people celebrated the killing by lighting diyas and people lit up their houses with beautiful and bright lanterns and diyas. This was called the dhakti diwali.

Being a Goan i would like to comment on the fact that why we Goans celebrate the diwali with the killing of Narkasura and why krishna so much associated with Goa?? I was always curious to know about this fact. I managed to search for enough matter on this.

• As per the Hindu Epic Mahabharata (written in 1000-500 BC) mentions Goa as  Gomantak,which means a fertile land.

• visit to Gomant by Shri Krishna as mentioned in one of the chapters of puranas.

List of days Diwali celebrated in Goa.

First Day: Dhanatrayodashi, on this day all the sources of wealth are worshipped mostly by the merchants.

Second Day: Narkachaturdashi, The day where the effigies of the evil Narkasura are burnt to mark its killing and defeat of evil.

Third Day: Laxmi pujan, Worshipping of Goddess laxmi for prosperity in wealth, luxury,power,fertility,beauty, etc.

Fourth Day: VarshaPratipada that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya. On this day Newly wed females come to their parents place along with their husbands.

Fifth Day: Bhaubeej / Bhav-Bij, this Festivals resembles to one of the famous festives of India, raksha Bandhan. On this day a sister worship her brother with Arati. Here it is said that The brother plays the role of Lord Krishna who killed Narkasura.Sister pours him with wishes and blessings of long and healthy life. The brotther offers gifts and presents or sweets in return.

The fourteenth day is celebrated as Tulsi Vivah (Tulsi lagna). This festival is also known as Whadli diwali. People perform a wedding of The tulsi plant planted in Tulsivrindavana outside their house. Branches of sugarcane,tamarind and amla are planted along with tulsi plant in Tulsivrindavana. These poojas are usually performed late in the evening.