Diwali: From Ayodhya to Goa’s fiery Narkasurs

Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated across India with devotion, tradition and festivity. From the ghats of Ayodhya to the beaches of Goa, people are illuminating their homes, temples and public spaces with thousands of lamps. The five-day celebration, which began with Dhanteras on November 6 and Choti Diwali on November 7, reaches its main occasion today, November 8.

In the national capital, Delhi, heightened security measures are in place across markets, religious places and crowded public spaces. The Delhi Police has deployed personnel across all 15 districts, paying special attention to shopping complexes, metro stations, bus terminals and sensitive locations. Additional security measures include plainclothes officers, pickets, intensified vehicle checks, and the use of CCTV cameras and surveillance systems.

Goa celebrates Diwali with a unique local tradition. On the eve of the main festival, giant effigies of Narkasur, the demon king, are set aflame. This ritual, known as Narkasur Vadh, recalls the slaying of Narakasur by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama. The flames symbolize the destruction of evil and the victory of good over darkness.

In Ayodhya, after the Deepotsav spectacle, authorities have launched a cleanliness drive along the Saryu riverfront. Lakhs of earthen lamps illuminated 56 ghats along the river, drawing thousands of devotees to witness cultural programs and take a holy dip in the Saryu Ghat. Following the Maha Aarti, devotees gathered to offer prayers and immerse themselves in the sacred waters.