Goa Festivals & Fairs

Festivals of Colours, Dance & Crackers

Goa Festivals:
Though India is often and justly described as a land of many religions and innumerable languages, it might well be described as a land of festivals as well.

Goa is a place where festivals are a way of life and celebrated around the year. On your Goa Holidays, it is possible that you will get a chance to be a part of any one of the following Festivals.

Some of the Goa Festivals that are celebrated with pomp are listed below.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Late June)
Festival that touches the highest chord in popularity and zeal, Chathurthi spills into celebrations over several days. Bedecked idols of Ganapati in clay get ready to receive offerings and prayers from the devotees.

End of Chathurthi is marked by a procession leading to the immersion of the idol.

Shigmo (Feb/Mar)
Goa's answer to 'Holi', a festival of colour, people, dance and music. The festival Celebrates bounty of harvest brimming the barns, isn't it reason enough to rejoice?

Dussehra (Sep/Oct)
Starting afresh, new ventures, all is considered auspicious on this day. 'Vijayadashmi' is marked with elaborate ceremonies at most major temples of Goa. Shri Shantadurga at Kavlem (considered the scion of all Gods and Goddesses) leading the way, followed by Shri Mangesh at Mangeshi and Shri Mahalsa at Mardol.

Diwali (Oct/Nov)
'Narak Chaturdashi or Narkasur' in Goa. A paper made demon stuffed with straw and crackers, accompanied with insults and taunts is set ablaze (symbolic for cremation). Followed by destruction of the 'Demon' and respect paid to Gods and elders, sweet savories are served to all honouring the victory of 'Good' over 'Evil'.

The Carnival (Feb/Mar)
Carnival of 'Carnem levare' literally means putting away flesh. Annual four day celebration, sweeping Goa off its feet. Pulsating rhythms of guitars and folk songs capture the streets of Goa with King Momo leading the way. Youngsters disguised in colourful costumes parade in troupes and line the alleys with soaring energies. Youth, beats, fun and frolic, time for unlimited merrymaking. Read more about Goa Carnival

Christmas (Dec)
Goan emigrants return home for the state's most important festival, which is celebrated by both Hindus and Christians. Missa de Galo, Midnight Mass (literally 'cockerel mass' because it sometimes carries on until dawn), marks the start of festivities. Meanwhile, tourist ravers party in Anjuna. Christmas Day is a public Holiday.

Ramadan
The start of a month when Muslims may not eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, and should abstain from sex.

Id-ul-Fitr
Muslims feast to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

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