Goa

Fairs and Festivals of Goa:

Goa celebrates worship, music, dance, and food festivals with fervour, thanks to its population's harmonious blend of various credos and thinking flows. Every Goan's life is filled with singing and dancing. During Goa's festivals, the entire state is alive with the sounds of revelry. Here are some of the major ones:

• Christmas: The birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated at Christmas. Many people find it a point to attend the midnight mass. Following that, they deck their halls with Christmas trees, cribs, stars, and stunning lighting. People also consume sweets and exchange presents with their families and friends.

• Holi: Holi Festival, also known as the "Festival of Colors," takes place in February/March and usually marks the start of the spring harvest. Wide bonfires are lit on the eve of Holi, and people sing and dance around them, symbolising the burning of the demon Holika and the triumph of good over evil. The festival is commemorated by splattering brightly coloured paint and powder on one another.

• St. Francis Day: St. Francis Day, which is celebrated on December 3 at the popular Church of Bom Jesus, is another major Christian festival. It is a series of ceremonies commemorating St. Francis Xavier's death (a great missionary). In the Church of Bom Jesus, his body is entombed in a silver casket. There will be a large feast that will welcome people from all cultures and religions.

• Goa Carnival: The Carnival, perhaps the most well-known of all Goan festivals, is the pinnacle of Goa's festivities. It lasts three days and three nights and is followed by the Lenten season (February). The legendary King Momo takes over the operations of the festivals and activities during this festival, which was introduced by Portuguese colonial rule in the 18th century.

• Sao Joao Festival: Every year on June 24th, the Feast of St. John the Baptist is commemorated as a thanksgiving for the arrival of the monsoons. The filling up of water bodies is the most visible sign of monsoons, which is why young people rejoice by jumping into lakes, streams, and wells. It is also commemorated by holding boat races and hosting Feni.

• Three Kings Feast: Three Kings Feast is a well-known Goan festival and one of the state's most famous holidays. If you are able to attend the festival as a visitor, consider yourself fortunate. Three boys enact the scene where the three kings of Magi arrive carrying gifts to greet the baby Jesus at this festival. The locals are giddy with anticipation. Footprints are still thought to exist on a nearby hill.

• Diwali: Diwali is another significant festival in Goa. On this day, it is said that Lord Krishna used his ‘sudarshan chakra' to destroy the demon Narkasur, who ruled Goa. As a result, the festival is marked by the burning of Narkasur effigies, which takes place primarily at dawn. Hindus find it a point to light up their homes and put on new clothes on New Year's Eve.

• Shigmo: The 14-day Shigmo festival (or Shigmotsav) is held in Goa around March time and is linked to Holi. Its aim is to welcome spring. A lavish parade of brightly coloured floats and traditional street and folk dancers precedes the festival, which begins with prayers to the village gods and goddesses. People dress up in brightly coloured clothes and costumes at this period, then head out into the street with multi colored flags and clothes to participate in the festivities.

• Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi, the most important Hindu festival, falls on the fourth day of the Hindu calendar's Bhadarva Shukla-Paksh (August/September). It is a festival honouring Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god, during which people enjoy traditional Hindu dance and music. Lord Ganesha is worshipped alongside Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati during the festival, which has a pan-Indian meaning.

• Feast of St. Francis Xavier: This well-known Goa festival commemorates the death of Saint Xavier, also known as 'Goencho Saib' (Lord of Goa) by locals. This nine-day religious festival in Goa begins on the 3rd or 4th of December and lasts for nine days. Hundreds of devotees from all over the state, the region, and the world flock to Goa for the celebrations to offer their prayers to St. Francis.

• Dahi Handi: Dahi Handi, also known as Krishna Janmashtami in other parts of India, is a large festival and team sport celebrated to commemorate Lord Krishna's birth. The festivities began in Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna was born, but the festival spread to Goa as well. In Goa, the festival is reenacted by locals who hang clay pots full of yoghurt from a great height and then smash them with human pyramids. If your city fails to catch the true beauty of Dahi Handi, it's one of those Goa festivals worth seeing.

• Food & Cultural Festival: The state holds a food and cultural festival to commemorate the richness of cultures. This five-day event is held on the beaches, and attendees enjoy the delectable Goan cuisine available at the food stalls. Local Goan sea food, such as platters of fish and the Kokam Kadhi, is unquestionably the star attraction. This delectable dish is served on a banana leaf with aromatic spices. Enjoy the special aerated drinks, alcoholic beverages, ice creams, and light snacks when watching cultural programmes.

• Sunburn Festival: The Sunburn festival, which takes place every December on Candolim Beach, features a variety of well-known artists performing live. The Electronic Dance Night is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The festival is perfect for spending New Year's Eve, with everything from the most frolic music beats to delectable food.

Must Visiting Places in Goa:

Goa is a wonderful mix of excitement and fun that is impossible to resist. Its stunning beaches, bustling flea markets, thrilling water sports, dining options, and throbbing bars and nightclubs all combine to create a vibrant atmosphere. Here is a list of places to visit in Goa that we've put together. These top tourist attractions in Goa are not to be missed:

1. Fort Aguada- Fort Aguada is a 17th-century Portuguese fort overlooking the Mandovi River's confluence with the Arabian Sea. The fort's collapsing ramparts can be seen from Sinquerim Beach. The fort's highlight is a lone four-story lighthouse (the only one of its kind in Asia) and a breathtaking sunset view.
2. Bom Jesus Basilica- The Bom Jesus Basilica is a world-famous tourist attraction in Goa. It is one of Goa's wealthiest facades, with Baroque architecture and fine details carved from basalt embellishments. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Goa.
3. Dudhsagar Waterfalls- The Dudhsagar Falls, one of India's most beautiful waterfalls, are about 60 kilometres from Panjim. This multi-tiered waterfall, India's fifth-highest waterfall, cascades milky white waters from a height of 310 metres. The place, which is nestled in a fully natural ecosystem, is a delight to behold, and visitors can even go swimming or rock climbing here.
4. Calangute Beach- Calangute Beach, also known as the "Queen of Beaches" in Goa, welcomes all kinds of visitors, from nature lovers to adrenaline junkies to party animals. This beach, which serves as a refuge for nature lovers in particular, is the largest and most famous in North Goa, boasting scintillating charm and beauty. All is sold in the lively markets here, from beer and food to junk jewellery and clothing.
5. Grande Island- Grande Island has an exotic appearance, with the Arabian Sea's turquoise waters caressing it on all sides. But this island is more than mere natural beauty. The thrill seeker in you will rejoice to learn that scuba diving is available on Grande Island. You should expect an exciting experience thanks to the use of expert trainers and international quality safety equipment.
6. Chapora Fort- Chapora Fort is undeniably one of Goa's most well-known forts. The 'Dil Chahta Hai Fort,' as it is more commonly called, is best known for the 2001 Bollywood blockbuster that was filmed here. It's a thrilling escape with stunning views of the sea and the Chapora River.
7. Church of St. Francis Of Assisi- One of Goa's oldest churches is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Panjim. The statue of Mother Mary, which has been placed right in front, is a highlight of this place of worship. The statue is set against a striking background provided by the tower. The church also houses the world's second largest bell, making it one of Goa's most intriguing tourist attractions.
8. Naval Aviation Museum- The Naval Aviation Museum, which opened in October 1998, is India's second of its kind, after the Air Force Museum in Delhi. The outdoor exhibit is a large park where visitors can walk around and see all of the aircraft that the Indian Navy has used in its history. There are thirteen aircraft on display, including the Sea Harrier, Hawker Sea Hawk, and HAL-HT.
9. Baga Beach- Baga Beach in Goa is known as "The Hometown of Nightlife" because of "Baga Creek in Baga," a tidal residuary channel that drains into the Arabian Sea. Fishing, paddleboarding, discos, and tattoo shops are all common activities on Baga Beach. Dolphins can also be seen farther out in the ocean, and local ship owners arrange spotting trips to see the sea mammal.
10. Dona Paula- Dona Paula is a popular tourist destination in Goa, known for its long stretch of beach. The small beach is also known as Lover's Paradise, and it is adjacent to a jetty (Dona Paula Jetty), which offers an ethereal view of the Arabian Sea and Mormugao harbour.
11. Church of St. Cajetan- This house, which was completed in 1661 and is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Churches and Convents of Goa, is a must-see on any Goa sightseeing tour. The beautiful white structure has a wide dome and Latin inscriptions on the walls. This architectural marvel is located near the Mandovi River and is built in the form of a Greek cross.
12. Shantadurga Temple- The Shantadurga Temple is dedicated to Shantadurga, the Goddess of Peace, as the name suggests. The temple, which is 33 kilometres from Panaji, has an idol of Goddess Durga on one side and Shree Vishnu and Shri Shiva on the other. It is a representation of Goddess Durga's mediation during a fierce battle between the gods. The temple's architecture is a mix of Indo-Portuguese styles.
13. The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception- The beautiful church that stands tall in Goa's capital city has had a long relationship with the past. It was first constructed in 1541 as a chapel. In 1619, the larger church building was built over this chapel. It has undergone several changes since then, but the original structure has remained. It attracts pilgrims from all over the world and has served as a spiritual and geographical landmark for centuries.