Tag: Goan traditions

#faith

Babreshwar Jatra at Calangute: Faith, Festivity and the Spirit of the Banana Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Sakshi Aiwale

Babreshwar Jatra at Calangute is one of those celebrations where faith is not just practiced but lived collectively. Each year, the jatra draws devotees from across the region, transforming the temple surroundings into a space filled with prayer, reverence, and vibrant cultural energy.

From the early hours, devotees gather to participate in live rituals and traditional prayers, creating an atmosphere charged with devotion. The sounds of chants, the sight of offerings, and the steady flow of people reflect the deep-rooted belief associated with Babreshwar, a deity revered for protection, blessings, and guidance. Families, elders, and youth alike come together, reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines the jatra.

A distinctive highlight of the Babreshwar Jatra is the Banana Festival, a ritual that sets this celebration apart. Devotees offer bananas with great respect, expressing gratitude for blessings received and seeking divine grace for the future. The simplicity of the offering carries profound meaning, symbolising humility, abundance, and unwavering faith. Rows of bananas offered at the temple become a powerful visual representation of collective devotion.

Beyond the rituals, the jatra is also a celebration of tradition and cultural continuity. Local customs, shared meals, and the gathering of neighbours and families strengthen social bonds, turning the event into a living expression of Goa’s spiritual heritage. It is a time when faith transcends individual belief and becomes a shared experience.

Babreshwar Jatra at Calangute stands as a beautiful blend of devotion, tradition, and cultural unity—where every prayer, every offering, and every gathering reinforces the enduring connection between faith and community.

Events in Goa

Statewide Shigmo Festival 2026 to Be Celebrated Across Goa from March 5 to 18

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 2, 2026: Goa is all set to celebrate Shigmo 2026, one of the State’s most vibrant cultural festivals, showcasing its rich folk heritage through music, dance, and artistic expressions. A high-level meeting to review and plan the organisation of Shigmo float parades across various centres was chaired by Minister for Tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte, in the presence of Director of Tourism Kedar Naik and Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Kuldeep Arolkar.


The meeting focused on ensuring the smooth and successful execution of the festival, with discussions covering logistics, adherence to timelines, inter-departmental coordination, and promotional strategies aimed at enhancing the reach and appeal of Shigmo 2026.

Following the meeting, a press conference was held where Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik, along with MD GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar and Deputy General Manager (Marketing/Hotels), GTDC Deepak Narvekar, officially announced the festival dates, centres, and key arrangements.

Addressing the media, Naik informed that Shigmo 2026 will be celebrated from March 5 to March 18, with colourful float parades organised across 19 centres in the State. The celebrations will commence in Ponda on March 5, followed by Calangute (March 6), Panaji (March 7), Mapusa (March 8), Mandrem (March 9), Bicholim (March 10), Sanquelim (March 11), Shiroda and Sanguem (March 12), Dharbandora and Cuncolim (March 13), Margao (March 14), Porvorim and Vasco (March 15), Valpoi and Curchorem (March 16), Quepem and Canacona (March 17), and will conclude at Pernem on March 18, 2026.

The Director further stated that the Department of Tourism provides two types of grants annually for Shigmo celebrations—infrastructure support and prize money. This year, infrastructure assistance has been enhanced by an additional ₹1 lakh per centre to further strengthen festival arrangements.

It was emphasised that parade routes must be finalised by the respective Shigmotsav Committees in consultation with the Traffic Cell and with prior permissions to ensure smooth traffic flow and public convenience. Committees were instructed to strictly adhere to all prescribed rules and regulations. A new set of guidelines for Romtamel groups has also been introduced, including a cap of 150 participants per group. Shigmo processions are to begin at 4:00 pm and conclude within the stipulated government time limits.

Representatives from various Municipal Councils, officials from the Police Department, Traffic Cell, Fire and Emergency Services, Assistant Director (Tourism) Jayesh Kankonkar, and other concerned departments were present, reflecting coordinated planning for the successful conduct of the festival.

Shigmo Festival 2026 is expected to once again bring together communities and visitors, offering an immersive experience of Goa’s living cultural traditions through vibrant floats, folk performances, and festive celebrations across the State.

#faith

Baina Khapreshwar Saunsthan Offers New Silver Turban Worth ₹5.50 Lakh to Dev Khapreshwar

allycaralgoa

The Baina Khapreshwar Saunsthan committee has offered a newly crafted silver turban (Feto) weighing 2.170 kilograms and valued at approximately ₹5.50 lakh to Dev Khapreshwar, marking a significant moment of devotion and cultural pride for the local community.

The offering reflects the enduring faith of devotees and the Saunsthan’s commitment to preserving age-old traditions associated with the revered deity. The silver turban has been meticulously crafted, symbolising respect, reverence, and gratitude towards Dev Khapreshwar.

Such ceremonial offerings form an integral part of Goa’s rich religious and cultural landscape, where faith is expressed not only through prayer but also through sacred artefacts and rituals handed down through generations. The presentation of the new Feto stands as a testament to the strong bond between the temple, its devotees, and the surrounding community.

Members of the Saunsthan committee expressed that the offering was made with the collective blessings and support of devotees, reinforcing the spiritual and cultural significance of the shrine. The event drew attention from locals who viewed the offering as a moment of pride and devotion for Baina and neighbouring areas.

#faith

Where Faith Meets Brotherhood: The Story of Tonca’s Restored Holy Cross

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

In the quiet, verdant landscapes of Goa—where the Mandovi River winds gently and coconut palms sway in harmony with the breeze—lies the village of Tonca in Marcela, also known as Mashel. Nestled close to the serene island of St. Estevam, Tonca is a place where time moves slowly and faith quietly binds people closer than blood.

At the crossroads where paths from Tonca and St. Estevam converge once stood a simple stone Holy Cross. Weathered by monsoons and sun, it had witnessed generations pass by. More than a religious symbol, it was a silent companion to village life—children played in its shade, travellers paused for prayer, and families gathered during the Litany of the Cross.

Among those who grew up under its gaze were a group of boys who proudly called themselves the “Super Star Boys.” Bound by friendship, football, and mischief, they spent their childhood days chasing kites, stealing mangoes and cashews, and dreaming big dreams at that very crossroads.

As years passed, life led them far from Tonca—to Dubai, Kuwait, London, and beyond—in search of opportunities and stability. They built lives, families, and futures abroad, yet the pull of home never truly faded.

One December, many of them returned—not just for a visit, but for good. Drawn by nostalgia, they walked together to the old cross that had shaped their childhood. Time had taken its toll. The paint had peeled, the base had cracked, and the flowers had lost their colour. Though it still stood tall, it needed care.

That evening, over conversations, laughter, feni, and sorpotel, a decision was made. Without debate or hesitation, the Super Star Boys resolved to restore the Holy Cross—not as an obligation, but as an act of gratitude.

The village responded wholeheartedly. Contributions flowed in, and even Hindu families from nearby wards came forward, recognising the cross as a shared symbol of Tonca’s identity. “It belongs to all of us,” they said.

Work began soon after. Men who were once boys laboured side by side—some now grandfathers—laughing, singing old mandos, and reliving childhood memories as they worked. There were no leaders, only brothers united by purpose.

Weeks later, the restored cross stood renewed—clean, vibrant, adorned with fresh flowers and glowing lights. When the village gathered once more for the Litany of the Cross, voices rang louder, lanterns shone brighter, and the cross seemed to radiate a deeper sense of peace.

Children ran around it once again, just as the Super Star Boys once had.

What emerged from this small act was something far greater than restoration. It was a reminder that faith, friendship, and unity can endure time, distance, and change. In Tonca, a simple roadside cross became a testament to shared roots, collective memory, and the quiet strength of community—proving that sometimes, the smallest gestures carry the greatest meaning.

Special Occasion

Three Kings Feast: Where Goa’s Reis Magos Meets the Story of Epiphany

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Feast of the Three Kings, known in the Christian calendar as Epiphany, marks the moment when the Magi—often referred to as the Three Kings—visited the infant Jesus, guided by a star. Celebrated on January 6 across much of the Christian world, the feast symbolises revelation, light, and the recognition of Christ beyond boundaries of place or origin.

While Epiphany is observed in churches globally through special prayers, blessings, and liturgies, its expression varies widely across cultures. In many European countries, the day is marked with processions, symbolic offerings, and festive meals. Children often receive gifts, echoing the offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented by the Magi. At its heart, however, the feast remains a celebration of faith revealed and shared.

In Goa, the Feast of the Three Kings takes on a distinct cultural identity through the tradition of Reis Magos, literally meaning “Three Kings.” Celebrated with particular fervour in villages such as Candolim, Verem, and especially Reis Magos itself, the feast blends Christian symbolism with Goan community life. The celebrations often feature processions, reenactments, music, and village gatherings that transform the biblical narrative into a lived, collective experience.

One of the most recognisable elements of Goa’s Reis Magos tradition is the portrayal of the Three Kings, often represented by local youth dressed in vibrant attire, symbolising the journey of the Magi. These representations move through villages, drawing residents together in a shared celebration that is both devotional and festive. For many Goans, the day is as much about community bonding as it is about religious observance.

The feast also marks a transition in the Christmas season, serving as its symbolic conclusion. Homes, churches, and communities come together in a final moment of celebration before everyday routines resume. Food, music, and storytelling play a central role, reinforcing the idea that faith in Goa is deeply interwoven with cultural expression.

What makes the Three Kings Feast especially significant is how it bridges the global and the local. The story of Epiphany remains universal, yet in Goa it finds a voice shaped by geography, history, and collective memory. Through Reis Magos, the biblical journey of the Magi becomes a reflection of Goa’s own traditions—rooted in faith, sustained by community, and passed on through generations.

In a world where traditions often shift or fade, the Feast of the Three Kings stands as a reminder of how belief systems adapt without losing their essence. Whether observed in churches across continents or celebrated in Goan villages through Reis Magos, the day continues to shine as a symbol of guidance, revelation, and shared belonging.