TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Fireworks dazzled the night skies as Diwali was celebrated with much gaiety and splendour all through Saturday. This is the first Diwali in more than three years where unseasonal showers did not play spoilsport and allowed the festivities to begin on an enthused note.
After burning the traditional Narkasurs late night, Goa woke up to bursting of crackers and ringing of bells on Saturday morning followed by distribution of sweets during the day.
Preparation of the traditional Diwali menu all out of puffed rice was a common factor in all houses with as many as 14 varieties prepared in some homes.
Most of the Goan houses and business establishments were busy getting ready for the Lakshmi pooja to be held tomorrow. While on Monday the festivities include Bali Pratipada and Govardhan pooja, the traditional Bhaubij will be celebrated on Tuesday.
While in South Goa, Diwali was celebrated with much fervour, the mood was somber in North Goa following the Nigerian incident that rattled the North coastal areas.
However, tourists were seen enjoying the weekend along the beach belt amidst much security cover provided along Candolim and Calangute areas.
While there had been an influx of domestic tourists, bus operators also made merry, doubling bus fares to and from Goa. Most of the passenger bus operators increased bus services on the Mumbai-Goa and Pune-Goa routes.
