Festivals are the vital part of the Goan life. Goan calendar is always blocked with festivals and fairs except the rainy or monsoon season. The diverse religions and cultures are responsible for these non-stop fairs and festivals. From the feasts, celebrating the patron saint of a village to the enthusiastic Hindu Zatras and from the Christmas to the Carnival, these kinds of celebrations never come to an end in Goa. Always these celebrations usually coincide with the holidays of Goa travelers.
Goa Carnival
There are so many theories about how the carnivals originated in Goa. The word Carnival means giving up meat in the Latin language. It describes the relish of the meat dishes eaten during the festive time in Goa. It is also believed by some that Carnival celebration concept comes from the Roman festival Saturnalia. In Saturnalia, men and women wearing fancy dresses, masks etc. are carried by a horse-drawn carriage called as Carrus Navalis. These men and women used to sing songs during the festival. Earlier, it was introduced by the Portuguese. At that time, people used to throw flour, eggs, oranges, lemons, mud and dirty water at each other to celebrate and enjoy. It was just done to enjoy and have fun. It was considered that by throwing these dirty things they will be get rid of old and dirty things before Lent. This fiesta falls on Sabato Gordo i.e. Fat Saturday. Just to be amused and entertained themselves, parades, floats, bands and dances are performed all night long on the streets. The feast is presided by the King Momo, urging people to slip off the worries from their mind and be jubilant and joyous. This feast held for three days with merry. The grand balls are held here in the evening. The streets are full of colors during the festival. Music, masked dances, mock battles, cross-dressing are organized to celebrate the festival. The mock battle is known as Cocotes where people used to fight with bags of sawdust, flour and water. Youngsters used to attack the kitchen of neighbours by tricks. So many cultural functions and competitions are held and the prize distribution is done by King Momo. These celebrations come to an end with the Red and Black Dance. This is an annual event organized by Clube National in Panaji. It is a formal ball with the dress code of Red and Black color. This Carnival is known as Intruz in the villages of Goa. Intruz means the group of young boys. The feni adds enthusiasm to the spirits of people and add to the festive mood.
Shigmo
Shigmo or Shimoutsav is a goan version of Holi festival. It starts with the advent of spring. It is a harvest festival. It is the biggest festival of Hindus in Goa. Shigmo is celebrated in the Damodar Temple with great pomp and show. The songs, dramas, dances, bonfires, festoons and banners are the highlight of the festival. This festival continues for six days and finally ends on the full moon day. People used to sing folksongs with dance enthusiastically. The final day of the festival is referred as ‘Rang Panchami’. It is considered as the day of rejoicing. People used to throw gulal as a symbol of celebration and joy. Some other programs include Ghodemondi, a martial dance. Men dance and brandish swords to the beat of the drums in this art. Each dancer has a wooden horse firmly attached to the lower part of the body. Parades and street dances are becoming quite popular now-a-days. Shigmo is lavishly celebrated in Panaji, Vasco and Margao with well choreographed parades and colorful floats.
Christmas
Christmas is the biggest festival of Christians all over the world and a biggest festival in Goa too. This festival is known as the festival of goodwill and prosperity. This celebration begin around mid-December with carol singing and concerts. So the last week of the December comes with celebration in the air. All street corners and the market places are decorated with sparkling Christmas tree. People decorate their homes and make delicious dishes – cakes, puddings etc. People flocked at the eve of Christmas succeeded by a service on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is the ideal time for family get-together, catch up with friends and relatives. So many delicious dishes such cakes, pudding, pastries are made and lovely gifts are exchanged with family and friends. People used to gather in the churches in mass and service during Christmas. These churches include Basilica De Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Reis Magos Church and Church of St. Ane. Night parties are organized on the beach during Christmas. Almost every tourist attend these night parties here.
Saptah Festival
It is an important hindu festival in Goa. It has been celebrating in Vasco for more than hundred years. The Saptah festival celebrated in September. According to hindu calendar, it falls in the month of Shravan. This festival lasts for 7 days. The stalls are put up for about 15 days for calling business. A legend is attached to this festival. It says that Old Goa suffered a lot due to an epidemic in the city and transmitted to Vasco. As the epidemic affects the lives at Vasco and the death toll rose then the Vasco residents went to Damodar Temple to seek the divine intervention. As a result, the epidemic declined. People of Vasco place a coconut in the Damodar Temple every year to thanks the divine and show their gratitude. This coconut is replaced every year with the new one by replacing the old coconut with full rites and rituals and the old coconut is immersed in the sea at Kharewada. So this people is considered very auspicious in Vasco and people can be seen in complete festive mood.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is also very much famous hindu festival in Goa. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is a thanksgiving festival that is organized to thank the God for the abundant harvest in Goa. This festival is celebrated from 2 days to 10 days and sometimes even more. People start the preparation very early by cleaning their houses and decorate the houses to welcome Lord Ganesha.Clay idols of Lord Ganesha are made by artists. These idols are of different shapes and sizes and painted with bright colors. Idol of Lord Ganesha is housed in a canopy made of fruits and gourds. This festival is for prayers and celebrations. Some cultural activities such dance and drama are also organized. Family, friends and relatives gathered here to celebrate and be happy at the auspicious occasion of Lord Ganesha birth. The idols of Lord Ganesha are displayed in temples, pandals, houses and shrines. Everyone wishes each other by saying Happy Ganesh! And make this celebration more special for Goan. The idol is placed by performing the rituals completely and prayers and offerings are made to Lord Ganesha. His favourite, Ladoos, are offered to the Lord Ganesha. Devotional and religious songs are performed and incense sticks are burn to make the surroundings sacred and pure. The idol is taken out in a huge procession on the last day of the festival while singing devotional songs with beat of drums and immersed the idol in water. People wish to Lord Ganesha to return next year again at the immersion of the idol so that the Lord bless them with more prosperity and happiness in life.
