Tag: cultural tourism

Travel

IRCTC Golden Chariot Luxury Train Showcases Goa’s Culture to Premium Travellers

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Tourism warmly welcomed the IRCTC Golden Chariot Luxury Train at Madgaon on November 5, 2025, offering high-end travellers a chance to experience the State’s rich culture, heritage, and hospitality. Among the guests were 26 international travellers who enjoyed a carefully curated itinerary featuring immersive heritage-led activities.

Visitors explored prominent churches in North Goa, gaining insights into the region’s spiritual and architectural significance, and experiencing a side of Goa beyond its famous beaches. Following the cultural tour, the Golden Chariot continued its journey towards Bengaluru.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized that such visits help travellers appreciate Goa’s culture, heritage, and warm hospitality, while supporting initiatives that create meaningful experiences and benefit local communities. Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik noted the growing interest in cultural and heritage tourism, welcoming the opportunity to showcase Goa’s diverse offerings to discerning travellers.

This visit aligns with Goa Tourism’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable, immersive, and culturally rooted experiences, positioning the State as a premium, year-round travel destination. By bringing together luxury travel and authentic local experiences, the Golden Chariot visit reinforces Goa’s reputation as a destination that combines heritage, culture, and world-class hospitality.

Travel

GTDC Announces Special Tour for Tripurari Poornima Boat Festival 2025 at Sankhali

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), in collaboration with the Departments of Tourism, Art and Culture, and Information and Publicity, has announced a Special Tour for the Tripurari Poornima Boat Festival, which will take place on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, at Vithalapur, Sankhali.

Celebrated under the full moon, Tripurari Poornima is one of Goa’s most captivating festivals, blending spirituality, creativity, and tradition. The highlight of the event is the magnificent boat show on the River Valvanti, where intricately decorated miniature boats are released, symbolizing devotion and community celebration. The festival attracts locals and visitors who come together to experience the beauty of Goa’s cultural and spiritual diversity.

Speaking about the event, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized that Tripurari Poornima embodies the spirit of Regenerative Tourism, where each visitor contributes to preserving Goa’s traditions while enjoying an authentic experience. He invited both locals and travellers to join the celebration and witness Goa’s living cultural legacy.

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, described the festival as a perfect representation of spirituality and community creativity, while GTDC Managing Director, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, reaffirmed GTDC’s commitment to curating meaningful tourism experiences that support local engagement and sustainability.

To facilitate easy access, GTDC has organized a special coach tour from Panaji and Mapusa residencies, departing at 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM, respectively, and returning from Sankhali at approximately 1:00 AM. Tickets are priced at ₹150 for adults and ₹50 for children (6–12 years). Guests staying at GTDC residencies in Panaji, Mapusa, Miramar, and Calangute who book the tour will also receive a 10% discount on room rates.

The initiative aims to encourage participation, promote local culture, and offer a comfortable, eco-friendly travel experience for visitors and residents alike.

GTDC invites everyone to experience the magic of Goa’s moonlit waters, vibrant traditions, and festive spirit at the Tripurari Poornima Boat Festival 2025.

Special Occasion

Pushkar Camel Fair: Rajasthan’s Vibrant Celebration of Culture, Camels, and Community

Tanisha Cardozo

Every year, the desert town of Pushkar in Rajasthan bursts into color and celebration as thousands gather for the Pushkar Camel Fair — one of India’s most vibrant and unique cultural festivals. Originally a simple livestock trading event, the fair has evolved into a global attraction that beautifully blends tradition, spirituality, and festivity.

The fairgrounds become a spectacle of life and color, where decorated camels parade proudly through the sands, their owners showcasing years of skill and care through intricate ornaments and vivid fabrics. Camel races, beauty contests, and mustache competitions draw enthusiastic crowds, each event filled with laughter, pride, and an undeniable sense of community spirit.

Visitors are invited to dive into the essence of Rajasthan by participating in interactive experiences such as turban-tying contests, traditional dances, and camel safaris that meander through the golden dunes. As dusk falls, the air fills with the rhythm of drums and the swirls of Ghoomar dancers, creating a mesmerizing scene beneath the desert sky.

For photography enthusiasts, the fair offers endless inspiration — from portraits of local traders and performers to the warm hues of desert sunsets. Many even take part in the “Frame of the Fair” competition to capture the heart of Pushkar through their lenses.

No visit is complete without indulging in Rajasthan’s flavorful cuisine. Food stalls across the fairgrounds serve up classics like dal baati churma, spicy kachoris, and sweet malpua, turning every bite into a celebration of taste and tradition.

Steeped in history, the Pushkar Camel Fair dates back to the 19th century when local tribes gathered to trade camels and livestock. Over time, it transformed into a cultural and religious gathering that now coincides with the sacred Hindu month of Kartik, culminating on Kartik Purnima — a day when devotees bathe in Pushkar Lake for spiritual purification.

Today, the fair stands as a symbol of Rajasthan’s enduring charm and resilience, merging ancient customs with modern attractions such as hot air balloon rides and photography tours. It’s not just an event — it’s an experience that brings people together from across the world to witness the incredible spirit of Rajasthan in full bloom.

Events in Goa

Goa Deepotsav 2025 Lights Up Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with Cultural Splendour

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, successfully hosted Goa Deepotsav 2025, a two-day celebration that illuminated Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with festive cheer, music, and cultural splendour. The event brought together Goans from all walks of life to celebrate Diwali through art, tradition, and togetherness, reflecting the essence of Goa’s cultural unity.

The first-ever edition of Deepotsav in Mapusa, held at the Mapusa Taxi Stand Ground, witnessed vibrant community participation and an impressive turnout. The event featured engaging contests such as the All Goa Akash Kandil Competition, cooking and fugdi contests, and an energetic cultural showcase. The evening highlight, Rhythm of Lights, mesmerized audiences with performances that beautifully portrayed Goa’s cultural diversity.

Among the dignitaries present were Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker & MLA, Mapusa, Shri Joshua De Souza, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council Smt Priya Mishal, Deputy Director of Tourism Shri Dhiraj Vagle, Dy. General Manager (Marketing/Hotels), GTDC, Shri Deepak Narvekar, Asst. Director of Tourism Shri Jayesh Kankonkar, councillors, and former councillors.

In his address, Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted that the Goa Beyond Beaches initiative, launched in 2022, aims to take tourism to the heart of local communities while empowering women and youth through cultural participation. He announced that Deepotsav will be celebrated annually in Mapusa to showcase Goa’s cultural richness and festive unity.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming response to Deepotsav 2025, noting that the festival embodied Goa’s true spirit of joy, inclusivity, and creativity.

The celebrations began on October 25 at Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Hall, Porvorim, with workshops and competitions in clay modelling, drawing, cooking, fugdi, and traditional costume contests, concluding with the soulful performance Sur Taal. On October 26, the festivities continued at Saligao Panchayat Area with rangoli, cooking, and Veshbhusha Spardha contests, and culminated with Suron Kee Deepawali, a musical tribute to the festival of lights.

With Goa Deepotsav 2025, the Department of Tourism reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cultural tourism, local participation, and sustainable community engagement. The festival stood as a radiant symbol of Goa’s heritage, uniting communities under the glow of countless diyas.

Travel

Goa Welcomes First Charter Flight from Almaty, Kazakhstan for 2025–26 Tourism Season

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Tourism welcomed the first charter flight of the 2025–26 season from Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 25th October 2025, marking the beginning of a promising new tourism season. Operated by SCAT Airlines (Flight SCAT VSV5212), the flight arrived at Dabolim Airport, South Goa, at 5:30 AM, bringing enthusiastic travellers eager to explore Goa’s diverse offerings beyond its famous beaches.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, noted that the arrival of the first charter flight from Kazakhstan demonstrates Goa’s growing international connectivity and appeal as a global destination. Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, added that each new charter flight strengthens Goa’s position as a preferred leisure destination, thanking travel partners and stakeholders for their support in promoting seamless operations at Dabolim and Mopa airports.

To mark the occasion, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Concord Exotic Voyages and TTAG, organized a warm and festive welcome for the guests, featuring a brass band performance, floral garlands, and a cake-cutting ceremony. The inaugural flight signals the start of a season expected to see several charter operations from other international destinations in the coming weeks. Goa Tourism continues to enhance visitor experiences through cultural, adventure, wellness, and heritage offerings under the “Goa Beyond Beaches” initiative, reinforcing the state’s position as a world-class leisure destination.