Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, will be organizing Goa Deepotsav Festival 2022, the festival of lights that fills our life with colour, and is undoubtedly the biggest festival of India that is celebrated with great enthusiasm worldwide, now being presented in Goa as a Mega Event with an unique Goan flavour, from 22nd to 24th October 2022, at the Comunidade of Serula Ground, Porvorim, Bardez, Goa.
Diwali / Deepotsav Festival
One of the very popular local festivals that uniquely showcases Goan culture is Diwali or Deepotsav, which is celebrated in the month of October or November based on “Samvatsar” (the Hindu Calendar). Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals in India, which literally means “rows of lighted lamps”. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”. The event is celebrated over 3-5 days, involving family get-togethers, feasts, fireworks, illuminated houses/ pathways / streets through lighting of earthen lamps apart from offering prayers to God and Goddess of Wealth – Vishnu and Lakshmi.
Purpose of Organizing Goa Deepotsav Festival 2022
The Department of Tourism is desirous of promoting traditional and local festivals like Bondeam, Sao Joao, Narkasur vadh Diwali, Chikalkalo, Pattoleachem fest etc. the Goa Tourism Board has recommended that traditional heritage and culture of the State be promoted to highlight unique locations, cultural diversity, food, festivals, hospitality and most important, a different vibe of human civilization. Hence Deepawali and Narkasur Vadh is being organised to showcase Goas unique traditions among visiting Tourists.
Prominence of Diwali / Deepotsav Festival in Goa
Diwali in Goa is celebrated very differently from other parts of India. The festival showcases the people’s connection with nature and journey of the agrarian economy in the State. A summary of the special occasions that make up this festival are as follows:
Diwali in Goa is composed of a series of events celebrated over a period of 5 days and is broadly classified into two phases – Dhakli Diwali and Vhodli Diwali.
The event begins with ‘Narak Chaturdashi’.
The effigies of Demon Narkasur (symbol of evil) are made by locals across the state, which are burnt (early morning at around 4:00 – 5:30 am) on the day of Diwali celebrations. The creative talent, enthusiasm and community involvement of locals is a must-watch and will ensure to attract tourists visiting the state too.
The day of Diwali is celebrated through several rituals like breaking wild fruit ‘Karit’ (a symbol of killing bad elements within us) and eating ‘Fow’ (puffed rice). The same can be showcased to both locals and tourists by setting up exhibition stalls for narrating the stories related to the festival along with distribution of local items (specially made during Diwali) such as Tikshe Fov (spicy poha), Godache Fov (Jaggerypoha), Dudhatle Fov (Milk Poha), Ambadyache Karam (local sweet and spicy Fruit delicacy ), Chirmulyo (puffed rice), Batashe, Chakari (Chakli) and Sankarpali, etc., with the view of highlighting the rich culture and tradition of the state. ‘Laxmi Pujan’ is celebrated on the same day, worshiping Goddess of prosperity and wealth.
The third day is celebration of ‘Gorwancho Padwo’ and ‘Dhendlo’ Festival, which depicts the locals’ linkages to the agrarian economy which was based on cattle and farming. A theme-based toy city of Lord Krishna may be created wherein an idol of Krishna is worshipped. Cattles are decorated and worshipped on this day. Special dishes ‘polle’ (pancakes) are made and fed to cattle and also consumed by family members on that day. On same day Dhendlo Festival is also celebrated. Dhendlo refers to a small wooden temple made by cowherds in which small wooden idol of lord Krishna is placed. This temple is carried on the head and a procession is taken out to different households, dancing on the Dhol-Tashe beat.
The last event of Goan Diwali is ‘Tulsi Lagna’ or ‘Vhodli Diwali’. This is celebrated by conducting a Hindu style wedding ritual of Tulsi and Vishnu. Tulsi refers to a small platform made from clay, of which the top part is known as Vrundavan. A tulsi plant is planted in it. It has much significance in Hindu families. It is a medicinal plant which is worshipped everyday by women of Hindu household. On the occasion of tulsi wedding, tulsi vrundavan is painted with different colours and a wedding like ceremony is performed. Women light special cotton wick called ‘jodven’ on the day. Tamarind, awala, sugarcane and fov are distributed as Prasad.
Event Highlights
The Festival venue will be designed and decorated in a very colourful manner based on the theme of Deepavali or Deepotsav, which will display two-dimensional images of Hindu mythological figures associated with Diwali, Akash Kandils, Deepastambha, coloured Patakas, etc. and shall also feature a massive ‘Narkasur’ effigy.
The event shall showcase a varied cultural programme on all three days, based on local Goan culture and tradition. They shall encompass the following events, day-wise:
The inauguration of the 3-day Festival shall take place on 22nd October 2022, followed by traditional performances based on Goan Music, Art &Culture.
Classical and Semi-classical Music performances shall be presented by renowned musicians and singers from outside of Goa and shall also present renowned singers of Goa on all festival days.
The second day, 23rd October 2022, shall host the ‘Narkasur Spardha’ (Competition of Narkasur effigies), which will commence at 10pm. Fancy Dress Competition shall be held. The Grand Finale event of the day will be the enactment of ‘Narkasur Vadh’ by the organizer and burning of the Narkasur effigy at 3am the following morning.
The third day, 24th October 2022, shall host Fugdi / Dhalo Competition and Akash Kandil Competition, apart from the presentation of cultural programmes.
Special Panel of Judges, selected from amongst eminent citizens of Goa, shall be formed by the Department of Tourism, to judge the various competitions.
Food Stalls and Display Stalls seeing the participation of local artisans and self-help groups shall be an added attraction of the festival.
A special Exhibition area shall be erected to showcase Mythological stories related to the different events of Deepotsav festival, like ‘Narak Chaturdashi’, ‘Narkasur Vadha’, depiction of the traditional ‘Fov’, ‘Laxmi Pujan’, ‘Gorwancho Padwo’, ‘Dhendlo’ festival, ‘Tulsi Lagna’ or ‘Vhodli Diwali’.
A temporary ‘Rain-Shelter’ shall be erected at the venue for the visitors for providing cover in case of any rain during the event.
Ambience and venue illumination shall serve to focus attention on the event.
Promotion of the Event
Promotion of the event shall be undertaken especially through digital and online formats:
Hoardings and self standees at various locations for event promotion
Production of special AV creative for promoting the festival of Deepotsav
Advertising and promotion in print media, electronic media – advertisement on local television channels and FM channels
Social Media and digital online promotion – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Google promotion
Screening of the events on local Television Channels, Facebook and YouTube
Prizes to be Awarded
ALL GOA NARKASUR VADH COMPETITION
PRIZES:
1ST PRIZE: Rs. 2,50,000/-
2nd prize: Rs. 1,50,000/-
3rd Prize: Rs. 1,00,000/-
Best Krishna Prize: Rs. 30,000/-
Best Music: Rs. 30,000/-
Consolation Prize (10 nos.): Rs. 25,000/-
Participation Remuneration payable to Non-winners: Rs. 10,000/- each.
DEEPOTSAV 2022 FANCY DRESS COMPETITION
PRIZES:
1ST PRIZE: Rs. 10,000/-
2nd prize: Rs. 7,500/-
3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000/-
Consolation Prize (6 nos.): Rs. 1,500/-
DEEPOTSAV 2022 AKASH KANDIL COMPETITION
PRIZES:
1ST PRIZE: Rs. 20,000/-
2nd prize: Rs. 15,000/-
3rd Prize: Rs. 10,000/-
Consolation Prize (6 nos.): Rs. 2,500/-
DEEPOTSAV 2022 FUGDI-DHALO COMPETITION
PRIZES:
1ST PRIZE: Rs. 20,000/-
2nd prize: Rs. 15,000/-
3rd Prize: Rs. 10,000/-
Consolation Prize (6 nos.): Rs. 2,500/-
Contact for more details:
Mr. Venkatesh Vasta Mr. Aniruddha Das
Event Manager Director – Events
Sean AdEvent Sean AdEvent
Mob: 9822101954 Mob: 9511724606
Email: seanadevent@gmail.com Email: seanadevent@gmail.com
Loading ...
