A YEAR-ROUND CELEBRATION

For Goa, festive fervor abounds all year. Centuries of cultural intermingling gave all communities signature feasts and festivals distinct to the Goan soil.

In January, for the Feast of the Three Kings in Reis Magos and Cansaulim, a procession of three little children on horses dressed as kings make it unique. February-March calls for a continuous celebratory mood with Carnival and Shigmo. Carnival in Goa marks the three days of festivities before the Lenten period of fasting. The potekars of Divar come out of their year-long hiding to haunt and scare children and passersby during the three days.

As Shigmo approaches, the hinterland livens to unique traditions that occur only at night. In Molcornnem, Quepem, under the cloak of darkness, men light cow dung cakes and douse their bodies with the hot embers. Across Goa, Shigmo parades with traditional dances, colours and religious tableaus attract hundreds.

Eid celebrations are marked with great fervor across Goa. The Lenten season observes the traditional procession of Saints in Agacaim. Devotees gather along the streets to catch a glimpse and pray to their favorite patron saint.

As the monsoons lash down the countryside, locals in Siolim are ready to jump into their neighborhood well to celebrate the feast of St John the Baptist. The unique boat parade is a crowd-puller.

Each month brings its significant celebrations. Amid the thundering skies, large crowds gather at the Devki Krishna temple in Marcel to watch the playful mud fights. Locally known as Chikhol Kalo, Chikol means mud in Konkani. It mimics the playful nature of child Krishna. Games like chakra remind one of the games Krishna played as a youth.

At St Anne’s Church, the unique Touxeachem Feast at Talaulim village brings devotes from across Goa. Childless couples flock to seek blessings of the patroness with cucumber offerings.

In the port city of Vasco, the annual Saptah, attracts a huge mela along the main Swatantra Path. The seven-day celebrations carry on for a week and is a reminder of the time the city was saved from the plague. Nature worship holds a special significance in the festive calendar, with the harvest as one such occasion. Islanders in Divar prepare for the traditional Bonderam festivities to mark the end of the old rivalries between the different wards.

In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi festivities acquire a unique celebration. At home, each day calls for a lavish feast of vegetarian food with a spread of local preparations with tempting sweets of modak, neureos and besan laddoos. A vojem is sent by the bride’s family to the groom. Lifesize Sarvajanik Ganeshas bring out the creativity of the Goans across the State.

A day before Diwali, monsters stare at you along the streets in towns across Goa. Some as tall as buildings, these narkasurs catch the creativity of the young and old. Competitions bring out the best talent. It marks the slaying of the demon. The effigy is burnt at dawn, and goodness prevails with the celebrations of Diwali, the festival of lights.

The year ends with the entry of Santa Claus as Christians celebrate Christmas. The feast spreads cheer as happy faces wait to unite with the extended families. An array of sweets and homes get a thorough cleaning, cobwebs cleaned as they prepare for the big day. After the 25th, local folks witness the large outdoor cribs in the villages.

With such a vast spectrum of feasts and festivals, communal harmony thrives on the festive fervor among Hindus, Christians, and Muslims. Only in Goa do celebrations cross religious boundaries as festivities unite two communities. In Mapusa, the Church of Our Lady of Miracles is said to be built on the temple of Mirabai, one of the seven sisters of Lairai from Shirgao. After the conversion, Mirabai became Milagres. Hence, the main feast dedicated to Our Lady is a joint celebration for both communities. Goans love their festivals, and there’s always a reason to celebrate.

In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi festivities acquire a unique celebration with a distinct boat show, sangodd along the Cumbarjua canal. At home, each day calls for a lavish feast of vegetarian food with a spread of local preparations with tempting sweets of modak, besan laddoos. A vojem is sent by the bride’s family to the groom. Life-size Sarvajanik Ganeshas bring out the creativity of the Goans across the State.

A day before Diwali, monsters stare at you along the streets in towns across Goa. Some as tall as buildings with monster faces, these narkasurs catch the creativity of the young and old. Competitions bring out the best talent. It marks the slaying of the demon. The effigy is burnt at dawn, and goodness prevails with the celebrations of Diwali.

The year ends with the entry of Santa Claus as Christians celebrate Christmas. The feast spreads cheer as happy faces wait to unite with the extended families. An array of sweets and homes get a thorough cleaning, cobwebs cleaned as they prepare for the big day. After the 25th, local folks witness the large outdoor cribs in the villages.

With such a vast spectrum of feasts and festivals, communal harmony thrives on the festive fervor among Hindus, Christians, and Muslims. Only in Goa do celebrations cross religious boundaries as festivities unite two communities. In Mapusa, the Church of Our Lady of Miracles is said to be built on the temple of Mirabai, one of the seven sisters of Lairai from Shirgao. After the conversion, Mirabai became Milagres. Hence, the main feast dedicated to Our Lady is a joint celebration for both communities.

Goans love their festivals, and there’s always a reason to celebrate.