Deepawali:A land where the language and culture change every mile, it’s no surprise that a festival like deepawali (meaning rows of Earthen Lamps), is celebrated bursting of crackers in some parts as Goa where as in Kerala just a few hundred kms away only lamps are lit. Goa celebrates Deepawali to mark the return of lord Rama from Vanavas Ram,the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, kills the demon king Narakasur(Ravana) and returns to his capital. This is considered auspicious day and everything old is cast off and new beginning is made.
People buy new clothes, utensils etc .It’s considered most suitable to start a. financial year with deepawali.

Deepawali is a four day festival with Laxmi Pujan, Narak Chaturdashi, Deepawali and Bhau Beej. Laxmi Pujan is the day, when people buy new utensils. Narak Chaturdashi is known as Chhoti Diwali (minor Diwali) when in every household 5-7 lamps are lit on the door and corners. These lamps also called Panteo represent the human body. And during this period it’s believed hat human body is purified. The human body consists of he pancha thatvas(five elements) , i.e., fire, water, air, space and earth. Deepawali reminds the perishable nature of human body, which comes from dust and goes back as dust.

Diwali (another name for Deepawali) falls on the day of Amavaseya, the next day of which is called Pratipad, when every kind of transaction, receipt or payment and business is postponed.

Chovoth or Ganesh Chathurthi: Ganesh Chathurthi or chovoth is the most important Hindu festival of Goa. People make mandovs(small Pandals) and bring the statue of Lord Ganapathi (elephant headed son of Lord Mahadev and Gauri). Women fast on this day. The festival is celebrated usually for three days. It’s time of great rejoicing for the children. The girls collect different types and shapes of leaves for Gauri, Mahadev and Ganapati. Arthees of different kinds are arranged for Ganapathi during this period. On the last day of the puja The Ganapati idol is immersed in to water i.e in sea, river, lake or well.