Narkasur effigy making

Practised in Goa

One of Goa's living craft traditions.

Where it comes from

Building the Narkasur effigy is a neighbourhood ritual for the night before Diwali, retelling Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura as the triumph of light over darkness.

How it's practiced

Groups of friends and neighbours build towering figures over several weeks from bamboo, grass, paper and paint, parade them through the streets at night, then burn them before dawn.

From discovery to practice

The Journey

Understand

Where Narkasur effigy making comes from, why it started, and what it means today.

See it

See it made for and around Narkasur.

Experience it

Request an artisan visit — watch Narkasur effigy making being made and meet the makers.

Practice

Join a hands-on Narkasur effigy making workshop with a verified artisan, or commission a piece.

Experience it

Book the Narkasur effigy making experience

Want to see Narkasur effigy making being made? Tell us when and where you'd like to visit the artisans, and we'll confirm the details.

Learn it, or commission it

Learn Narkasur effigy making hands-on, or commission a piece from the artisans

Every artisan WRIKSH connects you with has been personally verified. Tell us whether you'd like a workshop for yourself or a group, a visit to the artisans, or a commissioned piece — and we'll arrange it.

See it

Festivals where Narkasur effigy making lives

Religious

Goa · October/November

Narkasur

On the night before Diwali, neighbourhoods parade giant effigies of the demon Narakasura they have built themselves, then burn them before dawn as homes light their akash kandil lanterns.

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