Tag: #workhardtravelwell

The Connection of Monsoons and Festivals in Goa are very interesting. The first of the lot begins with the Feast of St. Anthony on June 13 which marks the beginging of the spree of Catholic Feasts for the year.

The festival of Sao Joao is celebrated with great pomp and splendor. According to the Catholic Church, the Feast is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and it is celebrated on every 24th of June.

It is believed as per the Holy Bible’s scriptures when Mother Mary (who was bearing Jesus) then, visited Elizabeth (Mother of John the Baptist) who was bearing John the Baptist. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped in joy. Later, in river Jordan, St. John the Baptist christened Jesus Christ.

The Festival however in Goa is celebrated differently. Here the Men of the Village jump into the Wells, Ponds to collect the gifts that are thrown into it by the villagers. The genesis of this traditional festivity can be traced back to almost 175 years.

Some age old traditions attached to this festival include youth who conduct a procession where they collect gifts, fruits and then offer the same in the Wells, Ponds in their town. Marriageable girls and New brides are blessed, as they throw flowers, vegetables and seasonal fruits in water bodies to fullfill their wishes. Additionally, people wear colorful outfits and meet at near by water body and unitedly sing, dance and listen to the music as they see the youth who jump in the ponds and wells claiming “Sao Joao, Sao Joao, Viva Sao Joao.” to collect all the gifts that are thrown in the water bodies.

The Feast is till date traditionally celebrated in coastal areas of North Goa, in places like Siolim, Calangute, Anjuna, Vagator.

However with urbanisation entering our lifestyles, most of the people have shifted from wells to pools, from actual rainfall to artificial rainfall. The idea of this festival is to bring familes, friends, neighbours together and in the end well – that’s all what matters the most.

Debatable as it may be about the significance of this festival, every year several youth and men are injured as they jump into the water bodies and at times even several deaths have been reported. So This Year, Be Careful, enjoy the festival but take precautionary measures.

So while you are all set to celebrate Sao Joao, take that Kopel and put it around your head and scream to the chant of “Viva Sao Joao”