Goa is a colourful palette of amazing parties, Indian and Portugese cultures, glorious churches, busy and pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife. While thinking of goa one should think of Parties, liqour, beaches but this beachy haven is in every sense a land of cultures, traditions and heritage.
This piny-sized Goa is much more awesome because of its mind-boggling festivals and fairs. Tourists from all over the world come to Goa to blend in the colourful festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. Goa has cherished its great culture and traditions in the form of religious and street fests, carnivals, dance,music and food festivals etc.
Goan life is incomplete without dancing, singing and merrymaking and it is the essential part of goan experience. Goa is a relaxed state but the festivals of goa will show the mind boggling and soul soothing choas of fun. Here are some festivals which one should definitely visit and celebrate and enjoy.
GOA CARNIVAL , Time for merrymaking!
Goa carnival is a kind of festival which is not celebrated elsewhere in the world. This festival is 500 years old , it is introduced in the Portugese colonial rule. It is celebrated for three days and three nights and preceded to the month of Lent (February).
The most fun-filled festival of goa , it is a feast of food, drinks, dance and music and fun before the 40 day period of fasting and absenteeism of meat in the month of Lent. Colourful costumes, soulful music, extravagant dances, colourful possessions and the love and enthusiasm of people around will make your day the most memorable one.
The days are marked with colourful and musical parades which begin fron the capital city Panjim and travel through the city thus making it the most popular festival. The evenings are for the gala balls, and people engage themselves in partying on the colourful and musical streets all night. One should not miss this carnival, to experience the best Goan life.
SAO JOAO FESTIVAL – Delights of the heart
Sao Joao is one of the prominent and popular festival of the Catholic community, celebrated on 24th June. It is one of the festival which is as entertaining and pompous as the Carnival. This festival is a tribute and it honours St. John the Baptist, the firebrand prophet who baptised Jesus in River jordan. The madness of the people is the beauty of this festival.
The Youth of the Goa do something amazing, they drunk and jump into the rivers, wells, ponds while singing “viva san joao”, which signifies the happiness of St. John the Baptist when Jesus was born.
As per the Christian scripture, when Mother Mary broke the news of expecting Jesus to her sister Elizabeth, St. John The Baptist leapt in his mother’s (Elizabeth) womb, who was also pregnant. Since then, this festival is also celebrated as the Festival of Fertility. The well into which the youth jump is considered to be a representation of the womb while the leap signifies joy and happiness in Christ’s birth.
Goa Food and Cultural festival- It’s DELICIOUS!!
Goa has an unending variety of rich heritage, culinary and culture, despite of being the smallest state of the world. To tickle youe taste buds, Goa brings you the extravagent Goa Food and Cultural Festival.
This 5 day festival become a platform for experienced and young and talented chefs to show their culinary skills to a crowd from all over the world. Unlimited lip-smacking food from homemakers, high profile chefs, fun activities, musical bands like Shine On, Uzo, Masala Coffee, etc., dance performances and fashion shows etc. are sure to please your heart.
It is a paradise for food lovers. Celebrated in Panjim the Goa Food and Cultural festival is one of a kind to cherish forever in your memories
Goa Sunburn Festival – Time to disappear in the world of Music & Dance
Goa Sunburn Festival is Asia’s largest three days Dance and Music festival of Goa. If you want to dance to the rhythms of the most energetic and soulful beats and soothe your ears to the most delightful music while enjoying the best food then Goa’s Sunburn Festival is a must not miss festival.
Every December tourists from all over the world come to enjoy the most melodious music of renowned International and Indian artists. This festival is celebrated to promote music tourism in India. Moreover, the marketplaces, workshops, Karaoke sessions, and movie screenings and flea markets – you name it and you will get it.
This festival is an entertainment paradise set on the blissful shores of Goa. It is one of the most mind-boggling Dance and Music festivals of Goa.
Feast of St Francis Xavier – Blessing Divine
This renowned festival in Goa is carried out to honour the death of Saint Xavier, popularly known as ‘Goencho Saib’ (Lord of Goa) by locals. He was a tremendous Catholic missionary born in 1507 and came to India with the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa in 1543.
His primary task was to preach the religion of Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus to the people of Goa, Spice Islands, Japan and China among other Asian countries. He died on 2nd December 1552, in the Sancian island, about 10 kilometres from the mainland of China. In this day the Basilica of Bom Jesus reverberates in the tale of the greatest Christian missionary Or the Lord of Goa in pride. Variety of ceremonies are held to honour this divine saint.
Feast of St Francis Xavier is celebrated as the death anniversary of this holy saint. Feast of St Francis Xavier is celebrated on 3rd December each year. It is one the most popular religious festivals in Goa. Thousands of Tourists flock to the Basilica of Bom Jesus where the relics of St Francis Xavier are kept in a casket. Every year this festival is celebrated with great pomp and show. Food stalls outside the cathedral will tickle your taste buds and various other stalls of Souvenir will awaken the shopper in you.
Goa is home to a lot more festivals, apart from the festivals mentioned above, Many religious festivals like Christmas and new year eve, Diwali, Eid-ul-fitr, Ganesh Chaturthi are also celebrated there.
And the delightful fairs and festivals of Goa also includes Grape Escapade , Goa Cashew and Coconut Fest ,Goa Mango festival, Three kings Feast ,Bonderam Festival. Visiting Goa during a festival is a remarkable experience that should not be missed.