Tourism of Goa, with full enthusiasm, is all set to celebrate Diwali gracefully. To create the feel of festivity, the Goan tourism has arranged a special 2 hour Diwali celebration on November 1, 2013, at the Santa Monica cruise boat. The celebration will start at 10:00 pm to midnight. The guests on board will get the opportunity to witness the burning of Narkasur effigies, which is considered an important ritual during Diwali.

The guests can indulge in various entertainment programs like Divli dance performance, Goff dance (Goan folk dance), Special UV Diwali act and various other exciting games. A special buffet with Diwali delicacies is also arranged for the guests. The cruise passes are priced at INR 1,500 (for a couple), INR 900 (single entry) and INR 400 (for a child between 5 to 12 years of age).

The guests will be taken for a midnight bus tour around Panjim to witness Narka Chaturdashi Celebrations in Goa. A day before Diwali the effigies of Narkasur are burnt.

Celebrating Diwali – The Goan Way

‘Diyanchi Aali’ is the term used for Diwali, which means row of lamps. Each house is decorated with earthenware vessels containing wick and oil, in Konkani it is called the ‘diulis’. Colorful Lanterns, Akashdeeps, are hung at the windows of every house. Entire Goa is soaked into the colors of festivity.

There are various families in Goa, who celebrate Diwali in the most traditional manner. The celebrations begin with the Choti Diwali (Narakchaturdashi) and go on to Vhaddli Diwali (Tulsi Lagna). After the auspicious Tulsi Lagna, most Hindu marriages begin.

• Choti Diwali: This begins with a typical Goan ritual of abhyangasnaan, which means bathing in oil and uttane (fragrant water), early morning. Thereafter, the lady of the house performs an aarti. Pohe (flattened rice) dishes are made in different variants such as sweet, milky, spicy, etc.

• Vhaddli Diwali: On the 12th day of Diwali, the Tulsi Lagna is celebrated. Thus, this is termed as Vhaddli Diwali/Harvest Festival. This day is considered very auspicious by the farmers, and they bring rice from the fields to thank God for good harvest.

Goan Delicacies During Diwali

‘Flat Rice or Fov’ (Pohe) is the maid item for Diwali delicacies in Goa. In the list of varieties, Dudantle Fov, Caloilele and Batat Fov, and Rosantle Fov are included. Coconut milk and jiggery or milk and sugar are used to prepare Dudantle and Rosantle Fov. Potatoes, turmeric powder, green chilies, etc., are used for the making of the spicy Batat fov.

Santa Monica Cruise Boat Diwali Celebrations In Goa

• The 2 hour special cruise will feature Diwali celebrations, lavish buffet and entertainment programs.
• Midnight bus tour in and around Panjim for guests to witness the burning of Narkarsur effigies.
• The cruise will start from the Panjim jetty at 10:00 pm and will go on till midnight.

The Program:

• Grand entry of guests, flower petals will be showered.
• Goff dance with the Indian tricolor twist
• DJ Music
• Shadow Act
• Interesting Diwali Trivia/Games
• Divli (Acrobatic Lamp) dance performance
• Special UV Diwali Act
• Games for Children such as saree draping, line dance, etc.
• Dinner
• Boat docks at the Jetty

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Hari Sharma is a Travel Writer with a keen interest in writing about incredible destinations. His write-ups are detailed and comprising of all relevant details that could accommodate. All write-ups are written after thorough research with a blend of creative writing that will make you travel along.