Goan Culture and Festivals
⌨️
Goa is home to a wealthy and vibrant community that celebrates many different festivals each year. This article lists festivals that are unique to Goa celebrations. Check them out for a closer look at Goan traditions.
Beautiful Culture and Festivals in Goa:
Shima:
Shigmo is the Goan equivalent of Holi, the festival of colors. The festival includes performances by large dance troupes who perform folk dances on the road in parades throughout the place. This is a century-old tradition.
[See Also: Most Famous Churches in Goa]
Ten colors:
Dussehra is an auspicious day associated with all things new. On this day, people buy new cars and start new projects. The new car, adorned with marigold flowers, drives down the roads of Goa. The day is also known as “Vijayadashmi” and is marked by puja ceremonies at important temples in Goa.
Ganesh Chaturthi:
Ganesh Chaturthi is undoubtedly the most popular festival in Goa. It is celebrated in August or September. Large decorated statues of Lord Ganesha made of clay parade through the streets. Offering sacrifices and prayers to idols. The end of the puja is marked by the dipping of the idol into the sea.
Diwali:
Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. This festival commemorates the killing of the demon Ravana by King Ram of Ayodhya. When he returned from his victory, the man was greeted with cookies and lights. Ravana’s effigy was burnt in the bazaar, Ram’s arrow. In Goa, these statues are called Narkasur, and they were burned the day before Diwali. The statues are made of paper and straw and are decorated with colorful decorations. They were burned before sunrise.
Holi:
Holi is called the Festival of Colors. This is when all the locals are playing with colors and drenching each other with paint and colored water. The use of multiple colors in this festival signifies the arrival of a bountiful spring harvest.
[See Also: Best Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Goa]
Christian Carnival:
Christian Carnival is an annual four-day Christian holiday celebration. It starts on Saturday, just before Ash Wednesday. It begins with the 40-day period of Lent, the period of penance and abstinence. This is before Easter, which is the time when Jesus was resurrected. The four-day carnival has its roots in the world-famous Rio Carnival in Brazil. Led by King Momo, the Goa Carnival parades through Goa with guitar-wielding singers singing folk songs, accompanying floats and a colorful dance troupe.
St. Francis Xavier’s Day:
This is an important Christian holiday. The main feast of St Francis Xavier was held on December 3 at the Bang Jesus Cathedral in Old Goa. St. Francis Xavier was a great Jesuit priest and missionary. He is the patron saint of Goa. He attracts admirers and devotees from all over the world. His mummy was kept in a beautifully decorated silver coffin. It has been preserved for centuries in the cathedral. The corpse is shown to the public every ten years during the annual fair. However, this feast is held every year. It attracts thousands of devotees from all over India. Saints should have the ability to heal.
[See Also: Beautiful Temples in Goa]
Sao Joao:
This feast marks the feast of St. John the Baptist, one of the apostles. It takes place on June 24. Young people across Goa celebrate the festival by jumping into wells to retrieve gifts thrown in by villagers. The festival is celebrated at the beginning of the monsoon season. Afterwards, the feast includes Goan feni and a large meal.
These festivals make Goa a rich and vibrant community. If you want to experience the real Goa, you better not miss these!