Diwali in Goa

Some of you probably remember, that there was a time when I was quite involved in Indian culture. India with its 1,2 billion population (official statistics) has plenty of different festivals to celebrate. One of the most important and widely celebrated ones is Diwali – the festival of lights. It’s surely one of my favorite ones as well, and through those years I celebrated it a few times with my Indian friends.

Diwali in 2018 will start on Tuesday, the 6th of November and will continue for 5 days until Saturday, the 10th of November.

Little Background

“Diwali is celebrated throughout the country over 5 days, between the middle of October and early November. The actual dates vary by a few days every year. Hindus celebrate by bursting firecrackers, lighting diyas or lamps, cleaning and decorating their homes, buying new clothes, and by painting rangolis or hand-painted designs in their living rooms and courtyards. Prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. Diwali signifies the victory of good over the evil. The festival marks Lord Rama returning home after defeating the demon King Ravana. Bonfires are lit to burn away evil spirits”.

Even though India has quite many customs, traditions, and festivals seems that Diwali is the one that truly unites the country. It is widely celebrated even in Goa which is mostly Christian.

If some of you is planning to take short holidays and go to Goa during Diwali festival, it’s a bull’s eye! There are plenty of streets parades with papers figures and straw and everyone cheers as the figure goes up in flame. Let’s not forget about psychedelic music, which Goa is all about. There are plenty of great parties organized at night clubs, especially if Diwali falls over the weekend.

During a Diwali festival in Goa (and other parts of India) you will find that a lot of people decorating their homes with lamps or diyas, rangolis, swastika symbols, and there are bonfires and fireworks too. Each of these symbols has a dipper meaning.