Goan Festivals

By Vignesha Nag Panchami is an important festival of the Hindus. Since Vedic times it is celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlight-fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan (July-August). On this day nagas, cobras, and snakes are worshipped with milk, sweets, flowers, lamps and even sacrifices. Especially farmers, worship the cobra (Nag) as snakes play an extremely important role in the protection of crops. Snakes eat rats and other rodents, which usually infect the crops. The festival worshipping serpent God well-known as ‘Nag Panchami’ was celebrated by people across the state by performing pujas in temples. Some people worshipped clay idol of cobra in their houses. Members of Hindu families then indulged in local sweet dish ‘patoleo’. In Goa , the women celebrate Nag Panchami by offering prayers and Pooja in honour of the snake. An idol of clay or paper is installed in the morning after doing the pooja.

by Sonali Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous Islamic festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. On this day people thank allah for providing them strength to undergo fasting and self restraint in the month of Ramadan. The date of Id is decided according to the position of the moon. Celebrations begin as soon as the first sight of the moon is seen in the sky. Eid marks the first day of shawwal, the tenth month of Islamic calendar. This is around the month of November according to Gregorian Calendar. Eid is celebrated with fervor by Muslims all over the world. A special prayer is organised in mosques to mark the day of Eid. people wear bright new clothes and relish the best of festive food.

By sushmita Holi is also known as the "festival of colours". With the advent of spring season in Goa comes the festival of colours. Holi when people play with colours with each other. The merriment is seen around the space as the state gets covered with varied colours.

By sushmita  Goa Carnival is a gala event held for about four days on Saturday before Ash Wednesday. This four days celebration involves a long parade accompanied by live guitar, drumbeats, and folk songs and dance performances. 

by Sonali Christmas in Goa is one of the most important festivals that is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. like all the other parts of the world, Christmas in Goa is celebrated on 25th December. The day marks the birth of lord Jesus. The festival is marked with a lot of merrymaking and revelry. People from all the communities in Goa join hands to celebrate the festival. Moreover, Goa Christmas celebrations begin with the singing of Christmas carols, which is followed by offering prayers in the church and exchanging gifts.

 By Vignesha Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival of Hindus. It is celebrated by people of Hinduism every year with great courage, devotion, and joy. It is also popular in the name of Vinayak Chaturthi in India. It is celebrated throughout India from ancient times to honor the most important  god of Hinduism. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for 2 days, 5 days, 7 days, 9 days, 11 days, and 21 days. There are many rituals, customs, and significance for the people of Hinduism in the festival of Chaturthi. In this festival people clean  and decorate their houses with beautiful things. early morning people have bath and wear new clothes. variety of delicious food is also prepared. This festival starts with the installation of the statues of Lord Ganesha, in the pandals or in the houses along with lord mahadev and goddesses  gauri. Bhajans participate in a huge colorful procession with the voice of hymns and drums. This is a great day of fun for everyone. people also danc

By Pratiksha The IFFI began in 1952 and is one of the most significant film festivals held annually in our very own goa, the festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of their own film art ; contributing to the appreciation of film cultures of different nations and understanding of their social and culture norms. The festival is conducted jointly by the directorate of Film Festivals and the Government of Goa.

By PRATIKSHA Zatra is the konkani langauge term for the pilgrimage festivals celebrated at temples in goa.The annual " Zatrotsav" of shree Shantadurga Fatorpekareen at Fatorpa is celebrated from January 3, As part of this 6-days event, various religious & cultural activities are held. The temple at fatorpa is built in honor of the deity parvati, also known as shantadurga in goa. Shantadurga is a combination of two words:kumk (kumkum or sindur) and aali9meaning saffron colour).In the past , fatorpa was known as kumkummahali, and is called punyabhumi by the sons of the soil. "shantadurga means peaceful durga"

By: Darshana Literally translating to Cucumber Feast. The Touxeachem unusual and typically Goan festival, celebrated on the feast of St. Anne, 29th July, at the Santana Church at Talaulim, this festival attracts childless couples who offer up cucumbers at the feet of St. Anne, with prayers that she will bless them with children. They then take the cucumbers home and eat them. As with most Goan festivals, the area surrounding the church is lined up with vendors selling traditional sweets, grams, candles, and most importantly, thousands upon thousands of cucumbers. The festivities are often accompanied by a traditional band and of course High Mass which is said at the church.

By Pratiksha touxeachem feast means cucumber fest.The touxeachem unusual and typically goan festival , celebrated on the feast of St.Anne ,29th july ,at the Santana church at talaulim , this festival attracts childless couples who offer up cucumbers at the ftenaccompanied by a traditional band and of courseeast of St . Anne , with prayers that she will bless them with children. They then take the cumbers home and eat them. As with most goan festivals, the area surrounding the church is lined up with vendors selling traditional sweets,grams ,candles , and most importantly , thousands upon thousands of cucumbers. 

  By : Darshana The festival itself is made up of more than 80 stalls set at strategic places around the grounds.The festival is held at DB Bandodkar Ground,Panaji on 10th -12th May. Chefs showcase only the best of the Goan culinary delights. The food ranges from the down-to-earth cooking that we know and love to the heights of haute cuisine – a flavourful fusion of Goan and Western cooking. The festival is a brilliant showcase of Goa’s cultural and culinary talent as well as plenty of other attractions. If you didn’t get to Goa in time for this year’s festivities, perhaps you should ensure that you’re there for next year’s line-up .

By Chitra  The feast of St. Francis Xavier is one of the most important festivals in Goa. Though essentially a Christian festival, all Goans irrespective of their caste and religious faiths come to the Basilica of Bom Jesus located in Old Goa to participate in the feast. St. Francis Xavier was revered saint who came to Goa along with the Portuguese in order to spread Christianity. His mortal remains are still preserved in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa. The Saint Francis Feast is celebrated every year on December 3rd to mark the death anniversary of the saint. He was affectionately called Goincho Saib or the Lord of Goa. During the Feast of St. Xavier, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is decorated beautifully and entire Goa comes alive with celebrations and merrymaking. Since this occasion is an important one, people from all over the world come here to participate in the proceedings. The mass prayers begin as early as 4 am and people come from all over to take part in it. The feas

By Chitra   Popularly called as Janmashtami, this festival marks the birthday of one the most lovable gods of the Hindu folklore, Lord Krishna. It is believed that Lord Krishna was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who came in the corporeal world to destroy evil. This festival is celebrated in the months of August - September according to the Hindu calendar. Janmashtami is celebrated with people paying a visit to local Krishna temples, which are particularly adorned and lit for the occasion.  A major highlight of the day is "dahi-handi" in which young boys form a human pyramid and try to reach a pot of curd, which is tied high up. It is believed that Lord Krishna used to steal curd and butter from neighboring houses by forming human pyramids with his friends. Just before midnight, devotees visit temples and perform a special "aarti" to mark the birth of lord Krishna as he was born at midnight.

By : Darshana Tulsi plant is held scared by the Hindus as it is regarded as an incarnation of mahalaxmi who was born as Vrinda. Tulsi was married to demon king jalandhar. The festival of tulsi vivah is celebrated in each and every household of Goa. The women folk engage themselves in preparation well in advance.On this day tulsi is colored and decorated as a bride. Aarti's  are sung. Sugarcane and branches of tamarind are planted along with the tulsi plant. Only vegetarian food is cooked. Tulsi vivah ceremony takes place in the late evening. Various poha dishes are offered to lord Vishnu. Then prasad is distributed among family members and friends.

By sushmita This feast is celebrated on the Festa dos Reis or Three Kings Day (The Epiphany) on January 6 every year. It takes place in the village of verem in North Goa and those of chandor and cansaulim in South Goa. The Feast is celebrated by Christians and non Christians.