subject: Celebrate Diwali Differently At Goa [print this page] Diwali, the festival of lights, holds special significance in Indian society and is celebrated every year with great vigour. While Goa is primarily known for its serene beaches and spectacular natural landscapes, tourists would be surprised by the festive mood that it takes on during Diwali festival. Five days of festivities give a chance for people to don new clothes, enjoy their favourite delicacies and convey greetings to friends and family members. Entire region is lit up with colourful lights and bursting crackers, doubling the excitement of individuals spending their vacations in this part of the world. Witnessing Diwali festival in Goa would be a wonderful experience for tourists who can also be a part of its festivities. Though this region received more number of visitors during Christmas or New Year, planning a trip during these festivities would help them enjoy this colourful festival along with local residents.
Festivities of Diwali in Goa begin with Dhanatrayodashi which falls in the month of Ashwin according to Hindu calendar. On this day, doorways of homes are decorated with garlands made of marigolds and mango leaves. Houses are cleaned and beautiful patterns are drawn with various colours near their entrance. All sources of wealth and the Hindu God of health and welfare called Shri Dhanvantri are worshipped. This is also an auspicious day for buying jewellery and different types of ornaments made of metal. Second day of festivities is marked with the burning of Narakasura effigies. Lord Yama is also worshipped on this day to celebrate the killing of demon Narakasura. On the third day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi to bring wealth and prosperity into their homes. This worship is performed at night on the day of Diwali using certain holy rituals. Fourth day is known as Varshapratipada or Pratipad Padwa when parents of newly-wed females invite them to their homes along with their husbands. This is also an auspicious day for businessmen to start a new venture or open books of accounts. Many of the Hindu homes observe a custom in which wives put red tilak on their husband's foreheads. Wives are then presented with a costly gift by their husbands in appreciation of their love and care. Fifth day of Diwali festival in Goa is celebrated as 'Bhaubeej' when sisters worship their brothers and wish them a long, healthy life. Brothers are given sweets by their sisters and they in turn offer gifts to sisters as their token of love and affection.
Tulsi Vivah, meaning 'marriage of Tulsi' is also celebrated in most of the homes of Goa and delicious sweets are also prepared on this occasion. Tulsi plant is decorated as a bride and then married to a stone called Shaligram. This ceremony takes place in the evening and sweets are distributed among friends and close relatives. Tourists can celebrate Diwali festival in Goa for five long days and have loads of excitement during their time in this region. Various hotels and resorts of Goa provide comfortable accommodations for tourists travelling to Goa during Diwali celebrations. Booking well in advance would be of great advantage for these individuals as they can get a room or suite of their choice without any difficulties. Accommodations in these hotels are not only cost-effective, but they also offer plenty of modern amenities for guests to make their stay comfortable.
