Hindu Festivals
(January/February)
Mahashivratri:
A
celebration in the honour of Lord Shiva held at all the principal Shiva templeIs,
it is celebrated in Harvalem, Ramnathi, Kavlem, Mangueshi, Nagueshi, Shiroda,
Brahmapuri. Shirgao, Kasarpal, Fatorpa and Panaji.
Rantha Saptami:
Festival takes place in February at the Mallikarujuna Temple.Maruti-Zatraat
Shri Mahalakshmi Temple is presiding deity of Panaji, Goa's capital city.
Mahalasa Jatra or Vijayarathotsav: (Chariot Festival)
It is celebrated at Mahalasa Temple of Mohini in Ponda.
(February/March)
Shigmotsav:
It is celebrated in all over Goa. Special celebrations at Panaji, Mapusa, Vasco-da-Gama
and Margao. A spring festival celebrated on the full moon day of the month of
Phalgun in March.
It is a grand five day festival of colour, celebrated distinctively in the villages,
corresponding with Holi or Spring Festivals. Shigmo is universally celebrated
in Goa, but specially in Panaji, Mapusa, Vasco Da Gama and Margoa.
Ghodemodni:
Or
Parade of the Horse Riders, is part of Shigmo and is found in Fatorpa and Bicholim.
Hypnotic and rhythmic music of drums and Whistles accompany the martial dance,
which Parades down the main street, imitating horses and their riders.
Rombat:
Takes place on the second and third day of Shigmo. It is a Procession of men
in traditional dress carrying banners and umbrellas dancing to the music of
drums. Young boys wave green twigs, signifying the arrival of spring.
Drama Festivals:
Form an important part of Shigmo with most villages staging plays during the
week.
Rangapanchami (Gulal):
It is celebrated in Kasarpal and Zambaulim.
Festival of Gade:
The three day at Mahadev Bhumika Temple attracts huge crowds.
Kalas Utsav:
It is celebrated on a major scale every alternate year at Sri Morjaee Temple
in Pernem. Visitors from Maharashtra and Karnataka attend the seven day festivities
which are socio religious occasions.
(March/April)
Ramnavami:
It
is celebrated in Partagal - Canacona.
Chaitra - Pumirna:
It is celebrated in Borim, Sanquelim, Nagueshi, Chandranath, Cudnem and Mashem
- Canacona. Gokulashtami: Narve - Bichblim. Ganesh
(April/May)
This is home coming season for many Goan settled away from Goa. It is also the
fruit season and Feni making season. A distinctive Goan aperitif, Feni comes
from cashew apples. In addition it is toddy- tapping season.
(May/June)
Mirg:
Mirg is on 6th June. It is the start of the Monsoon season. The Christian Mirg
is one day earlier. If the rains fail, prayers are offered to the Catholic saints
born this month-- St. Anthony, St. John the Baptist and St. Peter and St. Paul.
In Goa there is happy mingling of festivals and feast days for the common good
of all.
