Tag: Goan Festivals

Goan Festivals

Centuries-Old Sangod Utsav Marks Ganesh Visarjan on the Seventh Day of Chaturthi in Cumbarjua

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Cumbarjua, 3rd September 2025 – The annual Sangod Utsav, celebrated on the seventh day of Ganesh Chaturthi, took centre stage at the Cumbharjua Canal, drawing villagers, devotees, and visitors in large numbers. The festival is rooted in the Ganesh Visarjan ritual on the seventh day, which gave rise to this unique centuries-old tradition. Over the years, it has evolved into a vibrant cultural celebration that beautifully captures the essence of Goan life through devotion, performance, and community spirit.

Present to witness the spectacle were Shri Mauvin Godinho, Hon’ble Minister for Panchayat; Shri Premendra Shet, MLA Mayem; Shri Kedar Naik, Director Tourism; and Shri Rajesh Faldesai, MLA (Cumbarjua) & Chairman, Goa Rehabilitation Board, together with Shri Gaurav Kudchadkar (CSR – Deccan Fine Chemicals), Dr. Shivaji M. Shet (President, Shree Shantadurga Kumbharjuvekarin Temple), Shri Chandrashekhar Phadte, and local leaders including Shri Sachin Gaude (Sarpanch) and Mr. Sudhir Phadte (Dy. Sarpanch), supported by Panchayat members and the entire community.

Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte remarked, “Sangod Utsav is a living canvas of our cultural heritage. By engaging our youth in mythological enactments and artistry, we sustain traditions and foster regenerative tourism in Goa. This festival has evolved into a floating theatre, villagers don colourful costumes, enact characters, and bring stories alive on the water. It connects devotion, creativity, and community in a unique way”

Director Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik stated, “The Sangod Utsav is a fine example of how cultural traditions can be preserved while also becoming a unique attraction for cultural and experiential tourism. Such festivals reinforce Goa’s commitment to regenerative tourism, where communities are at the heart of the experience.”

The Shantadurga Kumbharjuvekarin Temple in Marcel serves as the epicentre of this tradition. After rituals and prayers, Lord Ganesh is carried in procession and placed on a sangod, a decorated platform created by joining two traditional canoes. The idol then makes five ceremonial rounds of the canal before immersion.

Each sangod carried elaborate scenes inspired by the Ramayana, Mahabharata, folk tales, and social themes, anchored in traditional religious performance. Young villagers took charge of float design, dramatic enactments, costumes, and navigation, transforming the canal into a vivid open-air stage and competing for creative excellence. The event drew significant local and regional spectators, reinforcing Cumbarjua’s identity as a vibrant destination for experiential heritage tourism. Entire wards and families across Golwada, Marcel, Rambhuvanwada and surrounding areas came together, tying boats, rehearsing performances, coordinating rituals, and celebrating shared pride.

The 2025 Sangod Utsav reaffirmed the spirit of devotional theatre on water, preserving a centuries-old ritual while creatively engaging multiple generations. With government support and improving infrastructure, the festival grows in scale each year, drawing attention from cultural enthusiasts and strengthening sustainable tourism anchored in local identity.

Events in Goa

Goa College of Home Science Celebrates Historic First ‘Marius Fernandes Day’ with Purumentachem Fest – A Carnival of Culture, Community, and Culinary Heritage

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Panjim, Goa – 24th May 2025 The Goa College of Home Science, Panjim, was transformed into a vibrant hub of celebration, music, food and cultural unity as it hosted the first-ever Marius Fernandes Day, an event that will go down as a landmark moment in Goa’s cultural calendar. This groundbreaking celebration was held in conjunction with the Purumentachem Fest – Goa’s traditional Festival of Provisions – marking the onset of the monsoon season with flavor, festivity, and deep-rooted community spirit.

The historic day began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Dean Suresh Kunkalikar, joined by Festakar Marius Fernandes, cultural supporter Maria Goretti Fernandes, senior journalist Prakash Kamat, cultural activists Dominic D’Souza and Luciano Almeida. The moment set the tone for a day that would blend tradition with innovation and celebration with heartfelt recognition.

Culture came alive on stage
as the festivities opened with a captivating ponti dance by students of Goa College of Home Science with Rajwi Naik and group, bringing a splash of color and rhythm to the stage. This was followed by the unique cultural segment titled “Balcãoacheo Gozalli” – an intergenerational Goan dialogue moderated by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas and enriched by the insights of historian Prajal Shankardande and academic Dr. Glenis Mendonca. The conversation touched on topics of identity, community memory and the changing face of Goan traditions.

Honoring Festakar as a Cultural Warrior, Dean Suresh Kunkalikar, in a deeply symbolic gesture, felicitated Marius Fernandes with a one-of-a-kind memento – a slate inscribed with recognition of 24th May to be observed as Festacar Marius Fernandes Day annually, for his 101 inclusive, community-driven festivals, Known for reinventing the concept of festivals by removing alcohol, chief guests, sponsors, competitions and barriers to participation, Fernandes has become synonymous with the spirit of inclusive celebration.

In an emotional highlight,
Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas was awarded a symbolic Doctorate of Community Service by the Goencho Festakar team. The honour recognized her selfless voluntary work across three years, contributing tirelessly to cultural research, education and community outreach. The recognition was met with a standing ovation.

A workshop was held on medicinal herbal tea, locally known as khodo, usually drunk as remedy for colds and fevers by Samita Sameer kolvalkar.

A Dazzling Cultural Programme unfolded as the afternoon unfolded, the campus echoed with music, laughter, and applause. The ever-energetic young Barretto brothers, Abner 8 years of age and Asher 6 years of age, delivered a crowd-pleasing set of Goan classics and contemporary tunes, accompanied by the soulful guitar of
Dr. Glenis Mendonca, vocals by Renald Mendonca and harmonies from Linda Braganza and John Lino. It was an electrifying reminder that Goa’s youth are not only preserving tradition but reimagining it.

The symbolic anthem of Festacar Marius Fernandes Festam, the iconic Kottieacho Nach, conceptualized by Festacar Marius Fernandes, in Succorro, was a most awaited and the participants were the guests, vendors, disabled community, choreographed and led by Gwendolyn De Ornelas, all enjoyed and felt a sense of Goa of yesteryears.

Food, Flavors and Festive Nostalgia as No Goan celebration is complete without food and the Purumentachem Fest brought the soul of Goan kitchens to the college grounds. An array of stalls featured monsoon staples like dried fish, pickles, homemade sweets, local spices, and chillies. From sorpotel to prawns molho , the aroma of traditional dishes drew students, faculty and guests to sample and reminisce. Local artisans and vendors proudly showcased their wares, rekindling the spirit of old village markets and encouraging sustainable, local economies.

A Festival Rooted in Purpose
as the celebration wasn’t just about looking back—it was about forging a way forward. The day stood as a model of how educational institutions can partner with grassroots cultural innovators to keep traditions alive while engaging the next generation. The festival emphasized inclusion, environmental sensitivity and local pride—principles central to Marius Fernandes’ philosophy.

As Marius Fernandes Day concluded amid cheers, hugs, and hopeful eyes, one thing was clear: this was not the end, but the beginning of a new tradition. One that honours Goa’s diverse heritage, celebrates ordinary heroes and plants seeds for stronger, more connected communities.

#faith

Mapusa Gears Up for Annual Milagres Feast on May 5

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The town of Mapusa is abuzz with excitement as it prepares for the annual Milagres feast, a significant event in Goa’s cultural and religious calendar. The feast, also known as the Feast of Our Lady of Miracles, will be held on May 5 at St Jerome Church and is expected to attract thousands of devotees from across the state.


The nine-day Novenas preceding the feast began on April 26 and will culminate with vespers on May 4. On the feast day itself, several Masses will be held, starting at 5:30 am, followed by services at 4:00 pm and 5:15 pm. The Novenas during the weekdays will feature Masses at 6:30 am, 8 am (Novena), and 6 pm (Novena and Salve), while Sundays will have additional Masses at 6:30 am, 7:45 am (Novena), 9 am (English), and 6 pm (Novena and Salve).


To complement the religious festivities, the church authorities have organized a five-day entertainment extravaganza, Milagres Fiesta 2025, within the church compound. The event will feature three Konkani dramas on different days, along with various other programs, including games and housie, starting from the feast day.


The Milagres feast traditionally heralds a week-long fair along the thoroughfare leading to the church, adding to the festive atmosphere and attracting visitors from across the region. As the town prepares for this significant event, devotees and visitors alike can look forward to a celebration of faith, tradition, and community.