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Festivals in Goa
About Goa
Goa is famous for its historic churches, temples, forts, traditional homes, colorful festivals, lush green countryside, rich flora and fauna, fabulous cuisine, and exotic beaches. The magical land of Goa is decked with popular tourist destinations like Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Tambdi Surla, the Calangute Beach, the Baga Beach , etc. The Festivals in Goa, as well, are a big crowd puller among the tourists from world over.
Festivals in Goa
Goa is special for its wonderful and colorful celebration of fairs and festivals. The people of Goa, though very modern and liberal, are intensely pious and orthodox. With their diverse themes, these festivals lend a distinctive charm to Goa and attract tourists from world over. The major festivals in Goa are –
Shigmotsav or Shigmo
Holi in Goa is celebrated as Shigmotsav, a festival of farewell to winter and welcome to spring celebrated with color, songs and dances to the beat of drums on the full moon day in March.
Kalas Utsav
Held once in two years in the Indian month of Phalgun, corresponding to the months of February and March, the Kalas Utsav is celebrated on a grand scale for nearly a month in Morjim village at Sri Morjaee Temple .
Novidade
Held in the months of August-September, the Novidade ceremony is carried out in each village to mark the commencement of the harvesting season, where the farmers offer their rice crop to the church and the paddy is specially blessed.
Zatra of Shri Shantadurga
The Zatra of Shri Shantadurga is held at Dhargali in Pernem. The deity is taken out of the temple in a colorful procession for the day, followed by thousands of followers.
Carnival in Goa
The Carnival in Goa is held in February for three days and nights, when the legendary King Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with music and color.
Feast of St. Francis Xavier
The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is held every year on the 3rd of December to commemorate St. Francis Xavier's death. This is preceded by nine days of prayer called the Novena .
Zatra at Cansaulin
Every year on 6th January, the astonishing Zatra at Cansaulin is held near Margao to celebrate the arrival of the three kings at Bethlehem .
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The Feast of Immaculate Conception of our Lady (Mary) is celebrated all over Goa, generally on the 15th August. On this day, the farmer cuts the first ears of milk-filled corn from the rice-field and presents them for God's blessing.
Ladainha or Ladin
Ladainha or Ladin, which literally means a litany to the Virgin Mary , is a religious function of thanksgiving to God among the Christians of Goa for material and spiritual benefits that have accrued or are sought for.
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