Celebrating Diwali in Goa - Narkasur in Mapusa

Diwali, also knows as Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights and celebrated around the time of October/November throughout India. The festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness and cities and in particular temples around the country light up for this multiday festival.

Last year in 2017 I had the fantastic pleasure to celebrate in Goa, below would be the impressions from the parade of "Narkasurs" in the town of Mapusa. It is a competition between the citizens in Mapusa who can build the grandest and most elaborate monster, many of them are also burnt at the end of the celebration.


Why? Narkasur was once the king, however not a very good one, he was defeated by Lord Krishna, and the celebrations are re-enacting the legend.

Apart from the rather fun parade of the Narkasurs in Goa during Diwali this is also a great time to visit the rather fairy-tale looking Hindu temples of the area during the evening of Diwali, the lights and decorations create a peaceful contrast to Indian village life.

In case you are travelling into Goa from Mumbai and have some time to spare in that great city also see how to spend an ideal day in Mumbai.

Shopping for Diwali decorations in Mapusa, Goa, India



Temple in Mapusa, Goa, India

Stairs leading up to a temple decorated for Diwali in Goa, India

A temple decorated for Diwali in Goa, India

Narkasur in the parade in Mapusa, Goa, India

Narkasur in the parade in Mapusa, Goa, India

Narkasur in the parade in Mapusa, Goa, India

Narkasur in the parade in Mapusa, Goa, India

Narkasur in the parade in Mapusa, Goa, India

Home made Narkasur outside a home in Mapusa, Goa, India



Home made Narkasur outside a home in Mapusa, Goa, India



A narkasur made in paper in a village in Goa, India during Diwali. The monsters are later burned to symbolise Lord Krishna's defeat over them.