Akash Kandils take centre stage as Goa showcases its heritage at IFFI 2025

Amid the last-minute preparations for the opening parade of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025, a string of Akash Kandils (sky lanterns) floating softly along the sidewalks of Panjim stood out as a tranquil yet powerful reminder of Goa’s enduring cultural soul.

As workers hurried past with cables, paints, chairs, and banners, for setting up the stage for the opening ceremony, the Akash Kandils, lined up by the hundreds on the main Panjim road, bathed the street in colour, marking the ceremonial route of the inaugural parade with warmth and tradition.

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These lanterns were part of the annual Akash Kandil (lantern-making) competition organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) in collaboration with the Government of Goa. A much-loved fixture at IFFI, the initiative celebrates Goa’s artistic legacy by bringing together communities, artisans, and young creators in a dazzling display of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary imagination. Participants were encouraged to use any material except thermocol, reflecting the festival’s push for sustainable and eco-friendly creativity.

As per the organisers, three winners will be selected from each taluka, with prizes of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000, and Rs 2,000. But for many of the participants, the event carries a meaning far deeper than the monetary reward.

“It’s about our roots,” said 38-year-old Rupesh Maykar from Mapusa, who has been participating for the past five years and won second prize last year. Speaking with The Statesman, he recalled growing up making lanterns with his family. “For us, it’s a symbol of prosperity and happiness. There will hardly be any family in Goa who doesn’t make Akash Kandils,” he said.

This year, Maykar crafted a detailed replica of the Ram Mandir using bamboo and coloured paper, a piece which took him more than five months and cost around Rs 5,000. He hopes to sell the lantern after the competition for Rs 40,000–45,000.

Echoing this sentiment, 44-year-old Kirkar of Mapusa said that Akash Kandils are hung outside almost every Goan home to invite positivity and good fortune, a gesture of gratitude for divine blessings. “They are symbols of hope and the triumph of light over darkness,” he said.

Together, the lanterns created a mesmerising tapestry, vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and imaginative forms, each reflecting the unique fusion of tradition and creativity that defines Goan culture.