| |
| Home » Goa » Fairs and Festivals |
| |
Goa Fairs and Festivals |
Goa Fairs and Festivals – Introduction –
Goa, the land of innumerable colors, diverse cultures and varied tourist destinations, has countless options for entertainment, leisure and fun for its visitors, one of which is the fairs and festivals in Goa. As most of the people residing in Goa are Hindus, majority of the Goa Fairs and Festivals are Hindu festivals and fairs celebrated at different times of the year. However, many of the Goa Fairs and Festivals are celebrated all through the year by the Muslims and Christians who live in Goa.
|
In spite of the lengthy period of the Portuguese domination in Goa, the Hindu festivals are celebrated regularly with much enthusiasm and their original zeal. Several of the Goa Fairs and Festivals are in fact the feasts or Jatras of the family or local god/goddess, which is celebrated at the Devasthan or the temple of that god/goddess.
Hindu festivals in Goa –
Mahashivratri, celebrated to venerate Lord Shiva, is a major Goan festival in Mangueshi, Brahgmapuri, Panaji, Harvalem and other parts of Goa. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular Goa Fairs and Festivals. It is celebrated in the month of August or September every year in Goa when many Goans return to their homes to celebrate it together with their family. Dussera is also another important Hindu festival of Goa, which involves the burning down of effigies of Ravana, the narkasur.
Diwali or the festive celebration of lights is also a common Hindu festival of Goa. Other popular Hindu festivals and fairs in Goa are Lairai Jatra, Gokulashtami, Nagpanchami, Vasco Saptah, Raksha Bandhan, Ram Navmi and Gudi Padwa.
Muslim festivals in Goa –
In the month of February, the ‘Units of Shah Abdullah at Ponda-17th Zilhaj’ is celebrated in Goa as a major festival of the Muslims residing in Goa.
Goa Fairs and Festivals for Christians –
Feast of the Three Kings on 6th January - Chandor, Reis Magos and Cuelim
Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria on 2nd February - Pomburpa
Feast of Jesus Nazareth on the first Sunday after Easter – Siridao
All Saints of the Franciscan Third Order procession on the fifth Monday in Lent – Goa Velha
Other Christian festivals and fairs in Goa comprise Christmas, Feast of Our Lady of Miracles at Mapusa and Feast of St. Francis Xavier. Goa Carnival, Marathi Drama Festival, Kirtan Mahotsav, Tiatr Festival, Pop, Beat & Jazz Music Festival and Shigmo Festival of Holi are other major Goa Fairs and Festivals.
Our site hotelsresortsgoa.com offers you interesting information on Goa through its useful links.
|
|
