Rajan Parrikar Photo Blog

Night of the Demon

Narkasur 2015 in Goa.

Recycling the introduction from posts in years past –

The Hindu festival of Diwali (Deepavali) has multiple interpretations, all having their basis in the triumph of virtue over vice.

One version tells of the vile Narkasur, embodiment of the forces of darkness (tamas), ignorance (avidya) and baseness (adharma). The puranas recount his comeuppance at the hands of Krishna who deployed the sudarshan-chakra (discus) to behead the fiend. Narkasur‘s vanquishment lead to the restoration of dharma, and the Diwali celebrations represent a renewal of the memory of Krishna‘s triumphal moment.

In Goa is prevalent the quaint practice – perhaps unique in India – of the reenactment of the Narkasur prasanga. On the eve of Diwali, effigies of Narkasur are mounted at village squares and towns. After a night of boisterous revelry, they are consigned to flames at dawn.

 

These photos were taken last month on November 09, 2015, the eve of Diwali. A short video below captures some of the scenes.

My earlier posts on this theme are consolidated here.

Narkasur in Ekoshi

5DS, 70-200L f/2.8 IS II

Narkasur in Ekoshi

In Ekoshi
5DS, 24-70L f/2.8 II

 
Narkasur in Nagueshi

In Nagueshi
5DS, 70-200L f/2.8 IS II

 
Narkasur in Campal, Panjim

Krishna battles Narkasur in Campal, Panjim
5DS, 24-70L f/2.8 II

 

 
 
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