Goa – the very name is magical. There are scores of other beachy places in India but Goa is Goa – a class apart as sworn by the 3 million annual visitors – with a majority of them being repeats. This smallest State of India sells the biggest dream-holidays every year. No wonder then that Goa is India’s richest State with Tourism being its primary industry!
Maybe
it’s the palm-fringed beaches of white sands and sparkling waters.
Maybe it’s
the charm of a 600-year old Portuguese colony with its world heritage
architecture of Churches and houses.
Maybe it’s the bio-diverse hotspot that it is.
.jpg)
Maybe it’s the zipping
around on rented bikes or lazing and strolling aimlessly on the beaches.
Maybe it’s
the addicting flea-markets and hangout beach-shacks.
Could it be about all the
sunburn and rave Goa beach-parties and discos with low-duty booze? It must be
all of the above and more!
The
best way to optimize your visit to Goa is to club your visit with a Goan
festival. That’s when you can catch the true essence of Goa.
Countless
festivals, events and parties dot the Goa calendar all year. This June, Goa
would be buzzing with fun and frolic when it celebrates the onset of monsoons
(Feast of St. Anthony on the 13th); celebrates newlyweds (Sao Joao
Festival on the 24th) and celebrates fishing in the monsoons (Feast
of St. Peter & St. Paul on the 29th).
The
traditions that are practiced during these festivals truly smack of Goa –
interesting and vibrant and very Portuguese!
The
Sao Joao Festival which is centuries old is a lively street festival where the
Goan youth go berserk with fun activities. Sao Joao Festival or the Feast of St.
John’s commemorates the Christening of Lord Jesus Christ in River Jordan. On
this day the youth of Goa jump into ponds and wells in remembrance and play
games and sing songs and pray. On this day you will find the Goan youth scurrying
on the roads from pond to pond and well to well. The newlyweds are given
centre-stage by giving them prominent roles on this day of distributing goodies
to the others. Mothers-in-law prepare and layout an elaborate meal for their
sons-in-law. There is also an annual boat-parade that is held on this day. ‘Copel’
or a tiara made of fresh flowers is worn by the participants all day. There is
also a long procession that meanders through the streets of Goa and leads to a
Church. Upon reaching the Church there are fireworks, games and other fun
activities held. The Goan locals spend the entire day on the streets
participating with gusto in a host of events.
Goa is ever-inviting. Question is.....how would you like Goa served to you!
