Goa – Paradise on Earth
January 16, 2008 – 1:25 amby Rajib Phukan
Goa is a land blessed with its own natural and breath taking beauty. It is not only the sun, sand and blue sea that puts Goa as one of the best holiday destinations in the world but also the scenic beauty of the land makes it a Paradise on Earth.
WeatherGoa enjoys wonderful climate, best experienced during the winter months from October to end of March. During this time, the tourists love to lay back and enjoy the peaceful and solemnity of the land cruises and bathes in the pleasant sunshine of the fabulous beaches.
The monsoon in Goa is awesome. It is a different experience to feel and see the countryside wrapped up in a green carpet decorated with different flowers and rainbow paintings in the sky. It is the greenery of Goa that attracts tourist in large numbers to this land. In other words whether it is monsoon or winter or summer tourist rush to experience different season, as this is one place on earth where travelers completely surrender to the spirit of land and its hospitable people.
Beaches
125 kilometers coastline of Goa has beautiful beaches in the world that offers glistering sands, swaying coconut palms and mouth-watering seafood. The unique mixture of sun sand and sea coupled with essence of local culture gives each beach a very distinct identity. Goa’s beaches always remain fresh, breathtaking and exciting because the tides washes these beaches twice a day and cleans out the dirt thus making it a clean and beautiful to lay on.
Culture
Goa has a very unique culture of its own influenced by 450 years of Portuguese rule with the different customs and tradition laid down by them. It is Iberian aura, the cultural alloy of Latin and oriental, the co-existence of Hinduism and Christianity that epitomizes the identity of Goa.
People and lifestyles
Goan people are famous for their warmth and their hospitality. They are easy and fun going and live their life in style and at a leisurely pace. Being passionate about dance and music they enjoy their lives at the fullest they love their food and drink feni ( Goa is famous for alcohol name Feni- It is distilled from cashews) Goan enjoys a unique lifestyle which reflects the perfect blending of the cultural influences that they have experienced over the centuries.
Heritage
Goa is famous for its rich architectural heritage and has lots to offer to the tourist as it has historical values. The richly preserved churches, the 16th century temples, forts, traditional homes and villages which has its reorganization as world heritage. So it is for these historical reasons people from all walks of life throughout the world come to visit these places.
Goan Food
Goan food is a blend of the Indian and Portuguese taste. Goan cuisine is simple and tasty and some of the dishes are a little spicy and pungent. The stable food in goa is Fish curry rice. Curries are given different Portuguese names such as caldeirade, temperado, Amotik, Xacuti, vindalho and so on. Seafood such as prawns, lobsters, crabs, pomfrets, clams, ladyfish, mussels and oyster are used to make variety of curries, fries, soups and pickles.
In Goa one can taste and enjoy the magnificent culinary delicacies like prawn balchao, sorpotel and fried reachardo fish. The Goan use a lot of coconut in their cuisine and also in sweets like bebinca and dodal, which is a coconut milk delicacy, the specialty of Goa, which is also served as a desert. The tourist thrive on the Goan cuisine as it is cooked with combination of different spices giving the food a flavour and mouth watering taste.
Wild life sanctuaries
Nature has endowed Goa with magnificence of gentle wildederness, lush green hills, rich vegetation, beautiful flora and fauna which all makes Goa a paradise for nature lovers. Goa has six big wildlife sanctuaries and amongst them the Bhagwan sanctuary is the largest sanctuary in the state.
Goa has overall best wild reserves and bird sanctuaries as it lies at foothill of the Western Ghats. It also has dazzling variety of flora and fauna which tourist love to discover so when you are in Goa it is a must that you attend the call of the wild
Adventurous and water sports
Goan beaches are full of activities. Water sports are offered in many of the beaches in Goa. The private operators offer parasailing, water-skiing, wind surfing, scuba diving, water scooters, boat rides and river cruises. Star resorts also have hill climbing adventurous activity thus making visitor’s holiday a rare choice of entertainment and sports.
Nightlife
Music is an integral part of Goan life. It is said that Goan is born with music in his blood. Goan music is distinctive. They play western as well as Indian music but young muisican have also taken to western rock music. Therefore nightlife in Goa is unbelievable. There are number of discotheques and clubs where we have the best of Dj’s performing From whole of India. In addition we have the live bands giving you live music entertainment all night long. Also one man bands performs at the famous restaurants in Goa while you drink and dine.
Art and crafts
Goa is called a “ land of crafts” where aesthetic quality of craftsmen finds natural expressions. The art and craft of Goa symbolizes the complete harmony between the Indian and the Portuguese cultures. In fact the art and craft of a region is what reflect the richness of cultures. During the Portuguese colonization, local craftsmen play a major role in the development of exquisite furnishing and decoration used in residential houses, churches and chapels. The exquisite items of art and craft include items of seashells, terracotta, figurines, metal embossing, cotton dolls and coconut shell carvings.
Shopping in Goa
Shopping in Goa is amazing. The vistor’s gets fascinated when they get to shop and roam in the traditional Goan Weekly Market. Anjuna’s flea market and also Mapusa’s weekly Friday market are fantastic place for souvenir shopping. In addition Saturday nite bazaar at Arpora is also popular since it is the meeting place for all tourist who come from all parts of Goa to get together and have fun. Hence, it is just a great place to sit and watch the world go bye.
EVENTS, FESTIVALS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN GOA
If one goes through the Goan calendar you will find it full of Events, Festivals and Entertainment. Since India is a secular country and Goa has a cosmopolitan population there are various religions and hence different festivals are celebrated through out the year according to their regilious calendar. Christian festivals occurs on the set dates while Hindus and other religions follow the lunar calendar and therefore their festive dates varies from month to month.
Following are some of the festivals and local village events apart from national, state and local holidays.
January/ February/March
Festa dos Reis – Popularly known as Feast of the three kings- this feast is celebrated on 6th January every year. This is first feast of the year celebrated in three villages i.e Reis Magos, Cansaulim and chandor on a grand scale where three local boys enact the feast dressing up like 3 kings and goes to worship infant Jesus with the Gifts..
Jatra – Jatra is a Hindu festival where people dedicate the importance of temples to God through various pujas and prayers performed. This festival is celebrated with a big fair, which last more than a week. During the fair the cultural programme is also held to entertain the public.
Republic day – India became republic in the year 1950 and this anniversary is been celebrated in spectacular way through out India. Hence it is a public holiday. In Goa republic day is celebrated with flag hosting ceremony followed by Governor’s speech to the state. This ceremony is followed with great gaiety and enthusiasm of March past parade and the cultural programme.
Fontainhas Art And cultural festival – Fontainhas is place known for Portuguese heritage. The importance of this festival is the artists from all walks of life display their works ,participate and performs. This festival is celebrated in the first week of February for almost a week.
Pop, Beat and Jazz Musical festivalis held over two days in February at the Kala Academy-Panjim.
Carnival - This is an exciting and unique four-days non stop extravanganza of fun, frolic, song, music and dance before the start of lent. The celebration begins on Sabado-gordo or known as Fat Saturday with the colourful procession of floats. This event is opened by king Momo who makes a traditional declaration to the people to have fun ,good time and forget about their worries. Foreign Tourists specially fly to participate in this event.
Shigmotsav – Popularly known as Shigmo is a Hindu festival. Shigmotsav or Shigmo is a festival of colours and the celebrations extends to five days in the cities of Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco and all the villages. During Shigmotsav or Shigmo, a parade dance is performed by the traditional folk dancers that are joined by the street dancers. The dancers carry handcrafted floats that have mythological and religious significance. People celebrates this festival by throwing coloured powder at one another.
Vasant Panchami Jatra is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the wife of Brahma. Vasant Panchami is referred to as the spring festival, and signifies the beginning of Vasant Ritu (spring season).Best Celebrated at Shantadurga Temple at Ponda and in Mangesh temple at Priol.
Mahashivrartri Jatra . These festival is a festival of Hindus celebrated in Goa and whole of India with great splendour. Mahashivratri festival (literally means ‘the Grand Night dedicated for the worship of Lord Shiva’). is looked upon with greatest reverence and respect by the devotees of Lord Shiva. Best Celebrated at Ramanth temple in Ponda and also at Harvalem, kavlem and mangesh temples.
Ramanavami :- This is a Hindu major festival celebrating the birth of Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu was born on the ninth day of the bright half of the Chaitra (March – April) . This festival is celebrated at the temple of Partagal in Canacona.
Mahavir Jayanti :- Its a Jain festival, where Jain community marks the birth of Mahavir. The founder of Jainism. It is a public Holiday.
April /may / June
Good Friday – This is a international holiday observed to mark crucifixion and death of Lord Jesus Christ
Easter – Easter is celebration of victory for Christianity as the Lord risen from the dead to gives salvation.
Feast of Jesus of Nazareth – this feast is the first feast held in Siridao (Siridao has beautiful beach) on the first Sunday after Easter. This feast is very famous and celebrated on a grand scale by the villagers.
Feast of our lady of Miracles – This feast is celebrated in great devotion and faith as this statue of our lady is very miraculous. This feast is not only celebrated by catholics but also people from other faith. There is lots of entertainment as the cultural program and also big fair is held.
Beach Bonanza – From mid April onwards successive Saturday and Sundays ,the entertainment gets hotter in Goa with live music, dance , beat shows everywhere.
Goa Statehood Day - Celebrated on 30th May, Its a Public holiday since Goa got statehood and became 25th state of Indian union in 1987.
Igitun Chalne - It is a unique festival of Goa celebrated by Hindus in the month of May. It is celebrated as thanks giving day and devotees of “Lairaya” dress up in simple dhoti and walk over hot coals at the village of Sirigao, Bichloim in a trance.
Festival of St. Anthony – This feast is held on 13th June. St.Anthony is the national saint of Portugal and hence this celebration has come to Goa because of Portuguese rule. Many Christians believe in St. Anthony for Favours. St Anthony’s feast marks the onset of the rains. If The Monsoon dosent arrives before this date a statue of saint is lowered into family well for the arrival of rain.
Feast of St. John the Baptist is held on 24 th June. This feast of St. John is a Thanks giving for the arrival of the monsoon.
Feast of St. Peter And St. Paul - Feast of St. Peter And St. Paul is celebrated by the Fishing community of the state on 29th June. It is a big celebration in Goa.
July/August/September
15 th August – On 15th August, we celebrate India’s independence day. India Got liberated from British rule in the year 1947. On this special occasion The Prime Minister of India delivers the message to the country from ramparts of Delhi’s Red fort. Its a Remarkable day in the Indian history. It is a national holiday.
Bonderam – This is a colourful festival, is celebrated on the island of Divar on the fourth Saturday of August. This festival is celebrated in memory of victory over Frequent disputes which occurred between two wards (section of the village) – Piedade and Sao Mathias – over property matters. Bonderam festival takes place in two sectors of the village. Sao Mathias sector celebrates one-week prior from Piedade.
Each Ward from the village puts up the float at the colorful parade and live band performs where large attendants dance and have fun. This festival is celebrated with Great enthusiasm and like carnival, ambience is created for the event.
Navidades – Held on 24 th August . It is the thanks-giving offering of the first harvest of the year.
Ganesh Chaturti – Its a Hindu festival celebrated through out state to mark the birth of Lord Ganesh. Clay idol of Ganesh is brought home and the devotees perform various puja’s before immersing the statue in the water. Its minimum 1 day celebration and it goes upto 10-11days .It is the biggest Hindu festival in Goa to such an extent even the school and colleges are closed for a week.
October/November/ December
Gandhi Jayanti – This is a public holiday to celebrate the birth of Mahatma Gandhi known as father of our nation. Prayer meetings are held at the memorial site in Delhi. As a mark of respect dry day is observed all over India
Dussehra/ Dharostav – Dussehra is normally a 10 day festival but sometimes as per Hindu calender it goes upto 11 days. Festival begins on the first day of Hindu Month of ashvina. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil and culminates in the burning of effigy of the demon king Ravana. It is preceded by nine days called navratri where they have the famous dandiya and garba dance.
Diwali – This festival is known as the festival of lights. Symbolically lamps are lit in the homes of worshippers. School and colleges are closed for 3 weeks.
Drama Festivals – It’s a Drama competition among the villages. Drama is 3 hours play where villagers perform. The best play gets the award. It is held at kala Academy during November to December.
Food and Cultural Festival – A five day event is held at anyone of the famous beaches in December to highlight Goan cuisine and entertainment.
Feast of St. Francis Xavier – St Francis Xavier is the Patron Saint of Goa. This feast is celebrated on the day he died.. Preceding the feast, nine days of novenas are held, attended by pilgrims from all over the world. 3rd of December is big day for Goans as his body is still preserved in the silver cascade in the shrine of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. It is a state holiday
IFFI – Its a 10 day international film festival where films from all over the world participates in this festival. All the Bollywood actors from the film fraternity is seen in Goa during this time. People can watch the movies free of cost.
Feast of our lady \of Immaculate Conception – Its a grand festival celebrated in the capital City of Goa on the 8th of December.
Christmas day – Catholic flock celebrates the tradition mass services called Missa de Galo in the memory of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. This service goes on well into early hours of the morning followed by Christmas hop.
New year’s eve- Its Jubilant celebrations on the 31st of December, to welcome the New year.
Tags: Festa dos Reis, Fontainhas Art And cultural festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, Goa, Jatra, Paradise on Earth
