Festivals of Goa | Goa Festivals list | Culture of Goa

The state of Goa celebrates a long procession of festivals throughout the year. This state is famous for its Indo-Latin festivals. In fact this is a state where festivals are regarded as a way of life. Since they are based on the Hindu calendar, all do not occur on fixed dates of the calendar year. Despite the long span of Portuguese colonization, the Hindu festivals of the state have still retained their unique Goan character and are celebrated throughout the state with deep fervor and enthusiasm.

Following is the list of festivals celebrated in Goa throughout the year which depict true culture of Goa.

Rakshabandhan - read more..

Ganesh Chaturthi - Elephant God, Ganesh. Most of the inhabitants of the state return to their native birthplace or their ancestral abodes to join the entire family in the joyous festivities. The locals of Goa with fervor and enthusiasm organize the celebrations no less intensity than the state of Maharashtra where it is unquestionably the most important festival of the year.

Mahashivratri - read more..

Diwali - Festivals of Lights -

Ram Navami - read more..

Holi - read more..

There are various christian festivals celebrated in state of goa these are as follows:

Christmas - read more about christmas | send christmas gifts

Sao Jao Festival - Sao Joao is the feast of the Baptist St. John. On this auspicious occasion all the married females are presented a basket full of seasonal fruits to be taken to their homes. The new married son-in-laws celebrate this festival in their mother in laws` place. In the villages of Goa the local youth go on a procession wearing crowns of leaves and carrying bottles of Feni and ultimately arrives at a well of pond into which they jump along with the sons-in-law.

Bonderam - The festival of Bonderam is celebrated in the state in memory of the protests that were raised by scores of villagers against the unjust and unreasonable system they adopted to settle down land disputes and ownership issues of land. During this festival the charming and quiet island comes alive with the fervor and exuberance and there is a carnival ambience that is created with the melody of the music reaching even the mainland of Goa.