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Goa, by itself, is one long festival. The Goanese calendar
is marked by several feast days. Some of the festivals which
are celebrated in Goa are New Year, Reis Magos, the Feast of
our Lady, Goa carnival, Harvest Festival, Dussehra, Diwali,
Christmas, Feast of St. Francis Xavier, etc. Various local
Christian and Hindu festivals including the feast days of
patron saints of villages and temple festivals are also held
in Goa. Thanksgiving, monsoon celebrations, and processions,
and the temples and churches of Goa are unique in their
celebration of these festivals. Besides such religious
festivals, Goa is also known for its arts and crafts fairs,
and food festivals. |
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Goa
Carnival |
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Goa Carnival is held in the month of February. The Goa
Carnival is known all over the world. This carnival is held
for four days with colourful processions, floats and dances at
Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa. |
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Shigmotsav |
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The Shigmotasv is the local version of the Holi festival which
is celebrated for one week. This festival is celebrated in the
month of February and March. The parade of colourful floats
with mythological themes are taken out in all major towns. |
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Lgitun
Chalne
Festival |
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The Lgitun Chalne festival is held at Sirigao temple in
Bicholim in the month of May. It is one of Goa’s most
distinctive festivals. The main attraction of the festival
comes when devotees of Goddess Lairaya walk across burning
coals to prove their devotion. |
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Ganesh
Chaturthi |
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Ganesh Chaturthi is a very special festival for Goans. This
festival is celebrated for ten days. During this festival,
people return to their ancestral homes and the little villages
and towns hum with excitement, as various ceremonies are
observed. |
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Diwali |
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Diwali is celebrated as the victory of good over evil and
effigies of Narkasur are burnt throughout the state. |
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Christmas |
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Christmas is a special time of almost universal festivity.
Families get together and an air of excitement pervades the
state. Some of the famous dishes during Christmas include the
Goan Pork Sorpatel, Chicken Cabdel, all rounded off by the
rich Bebinca – a many layered version of the plum pudding. |
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The Feast
of Our Lady of Miracles |
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The Feast of Our Lady of Miracles is celebrated 16 days after
the Easter. This festival is secular by nature and is
celebrated with pomp and show by both Hindus and Christians. |
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Reis Magos and Feast
of St. Francis Xavier |
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The Feast of the three kings at Reis Magos Cuelim and the
Feast of St. Francis Xavier, held in the month of December are
very unique and elaborate. |
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Feast of St. Anthony |
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The Feast of St. Anthony is held in the month of June. This
festival marks the beginning of monsoon. |
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