NARKASUR IN GOA

Goan Carnaval Goa carnival was brought to India by Portuguese during the time they ruled here and approximately 500 years ago  the first every carnival was organised in the state. But it was not the Portuguese originally who had these kind of exuberant riotous celebrations, the culture actually came from ancient Rome and Greece and spread to Spain and Portugal eventually. This quite explains that when Portuguese colonised Goa they wanted their culture to be dominant here and hence this carnival was organised. It had a Portuguese flavour to it earlier but with time the celebrations have taken up the essence of  Goan culture and thus people identify with the festivities and take part in the carnival in crazily large numbers.

On the eve of Diwali, the people of Goa celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king, Narkasur. Effigies of the demon Narkasur are paraded on the streets before being burnt. This marks the commencement of the festival of light and end of evil and darkness. The festival is therefore known as Narkasur Chaturdashi. Preparations begin many days before the festivities and the young and old both engage in the painstaking job of designing and constructing the large effigies that dance in the streets on the eve of Diwali. To commemorate the occasion, competitions are organized and prizes are awarded before the effigies are reduced to ash. Narkasur parades are undertaken with pomp and fervour and are a great attraction for those who choose to spend their Diwali-time holidays in Goa.