With the majority of the population being Hindu, Goa has scores of
festivals celebrated all around the year. The festival are celebrated
through out the year. Most of the Goan festivals are Jatras (feasts) of the
local or family deity celebrated at the temple, called Devasthan. There is
gala affair in the temple complex with thousands of devotees taking part in
the colourful celebrations and the palakhi or palanquin procession.
The long period of Portuguese colonisation, has given unique Goan character
to the Hindu festivals and are celebrated in distinctive and stylish
elegance. Most of the Hindu, Christian and other religious festivals are
celebrated in the same manner as around India, but with a Goan flavour.
Mainly celebrated Hindu festivals, by the Goans are Ganesh Chathurti, Gudi
Padwa, Diwali, Dassra (Dussehra), Holi, Rakshabandhan, Ramnavmi and
Krishnajanmashtami.
Some of Goa's Own Festivals are :
Shigmotsav or Shigmo : This is a grand five-day festival of colours,
celebrated distinctively in the villages, corresponding with Holi or Spring
Festival. Held for one-week up to the full-moon day in March, Shigmo is
universally celebrated in Goa, but especially at Panaji, Mapusa,
Vasco-da-Gama and Margao.
Kalas Utsav
Kalas Utsav is celebrated on a major scale every alternate year at Sri
Morjaee Temple in Pernem. People from Maharashtra and Karnataka also attend
the seven-day socio-religious event held here.
Novidade:
The farmers, Hindu or Christian gives their first offering to the church
before harvesting their rice crop. The offering takes place at the time of
Novidade, in which the parish priest himself harvests a sheaf of rice and
returns with it to the Church. Local people accompany him with music,
fire-works and jubilation. Women folk of Goa's earliest tribal settlers
perform a dance called Bhandup in the second half of the month.
Zatra of Shri Shantadurga
The Zatra of Shri Shantadurga is held at Dhargali in Pernem. The deity is
taken out of the temple in a colorful procession for the day. The annual
zatra of Shri Shantadurga at Kunkoliemkarin at Fatorpa in Quepem also falls
in this month. Thousands flock to attend the festival from distant lands.
Bonderam Festival, Goa
The feast of Bonderam is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of August every
year at Divar Island, 12-km from Panjim. On this day, the quiant land of
Divar, away from the hustle and bustle of Panjim, is agog with excitement.
Melodious music drift from the village to mainland Old Goa - once the hub of
Portuguese Goa - even before the crack of dawn on the Saturday. At noon
people begin trickling into the village. By the evening the trickle is a
deluge. An expectant crowd assembles along either side of the main through
fare of the village. The tempo is set by lands and lasses wielding "fotashes"
engaging themselves in mock battles. The gaily coloured floats accompanied
by colourfully dressed youngsters make a pretty picture.
Goa Cranival
Carnival in Goa is a non-stop 3-day festival of colour, song and music,
creating a healthy entertainment for all, young and old. The soothing
climate, full of fun- 'n' -frolic, which the Carnival generates, is much
longed for. It does not matter whether one enjoys or see others enjoying.
There is enthusiasm and happiness all around.
