David AguiarGolden beaches, a bustling nightlife, and leisurely afternoons sipping feni are common images of Goa. However, Goa has a fascinating side that comes to light only during the monsoon season, when the land is submerged and transformed into a verdant oasis. Welcome to Goa’s enthralling monsoon festivals. Consider it to be Goa’s way of asking, “Why should the sun have all the fun?” During the rainy season, when culture, customs, and the exuberant dance of raindrops converge to create unique festivals, this guide will lead you through the heart of Goa.
A Monsoon Symphony
Let’s set the stage before delving into the festivals of Goa. Imagine undulating verdant hills, tumbling waterfalls, and a natural orchestra created by the rhythmic symphony of rains. This is Goa in the monsoon season, devoid of the throngs of people at the beaches and bars. Goa’s festivals showcase the greatest aspects of the state, and the rains evoke the essence of this unique place.
Sao Joao: Oh, the Joys of Euphoria!
The celebration of Sao Joao, held on June 24, heralds the start of the rainy season. The festival honors the life of St. John the Baptist, who serves as the event’s patron saint because of his affinity for water. So how can you highlight water more effectively than with a splash?
Dive In, Quite Literally!
In true Goan style, Sao Joao involves a lot of water. Locals and visitors alike leap into wells, ponds, and streams, echoing the saint’s leap of joy. Donning traditional kopels (flower crowns), people sing, dance, and make merry in the rain-soaked surroundings. The colorfully decorated boat parade that sails through the rivers and backwaters is the main attraction.
This is the perfect justification if you’ve ever wanted to act like a carefree kid splashing into puddles. Just be prepared to have “no one stays dry” as the unspoken dress code!
Ponsachem Fest: A Date with Jackfruit
Next on the monsoon festival in Goa calendar is the Ponsachem Fest, also known as the Jackfruit Festival, held in July. Goa’s fertile land bursts with an abundance of jackfruits, and this festival celebrates this sweet, spiky wonder.
A Fruity Affair
This Festival of Goa is a delight for foodies. Stalls brimming with jackfruit-based delicacies—from traditional curries and pickles to innovative desserts and snacks—offer a taste of Goan culinary creativity. Additionally, there are contests and exhibits showcasing the various ways to cook and savor this adaptable fruit.
Here’s a tip: Get ready to be astonished if you have never tasted jackfruit before. It’s the jack of all fruits, tasty and sometimes savory, sometimes sweet.
Patolleanchem Fest: A Sweet Celebration
Monsoon festivals in Goa are not just about revelry; they’re also about savouring the flavours of the season. Patolleanchem Fest, celebrated in August, focuses on the humble patolleo, a sweet rice cake steamed in turmeric leaves.
A Culinary Delight
Patolleos are made from rice, coconut, and jaggery, wrapped in fragrant turmeric leaves, giving them a unique flavour. During the festival, Goan families come together to prepare and share these delicious treats, celebrating the harvest and the community spirit.
Visiting during this time? Join a local family or a community celebration. Nothing beats the experience of making and enjoying patolleos with the locals, who are always eager to share their culinary traditions with visitors.
Chikal Kalo: Embracing the Muddy Mayhem
Held in the village of Marcel, Chikal Kalo is one of the most whimsical and enjoyable monsoon events in Goa. This celebration, which honors Lord Krishna, is a riot of dirt, joy, and mischief. Imagine a scene where participants, clad in old clothes, gleefully plunge into mud pits, engaging in traditional games and playful battles. Chikal Kalo is all about community spirit and reveling in nature’s wet and wonderful gifts. This is your chance if you’ve ever wanted to relive your childhood, complete with mud all over you and nothing but laughing to surround you. Furthermore, it’s possibly the one occasion when grownups will declare that “getting dirty is mandatory!”
Sangodd: The Floating Festival
As the monsoon breathes new life into Goa’s rivers, this monsoon festival in Goa of Sangodd brings its own unique charm to the waters. This celebration, which is observed by the fishing communities on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, turns fishing boats into colorful, ornamented floats. Rafts made from the boats are used as a platform for a floating procession that includes singing, dancing, and prayers. This festival is celebrated primarily in the villages of the Bardez taluka, including Siolim, Assagao, and Candolim. The festival showcases the strong maritime heritage of Goa and the unity of its riverine communities. If you’re lucky enough to witness Sangodd, you’ll see that in Goa, even the rivers join in the festive spirit, proving that when it comes to celebrations, land and water both play their parts beautifully.
Bonderam Festival: The Island Carnival
The Bonderam Festival is a festival of Goa that is held at the end of the monsoon season in the month of August in the island of Divar. This event is a colourful one as it celebrates old scores between wards of the village when they used flags to settle their disputes.
Flags, Floats, and Fun
Bonderam is like a small carnival with colourful floats, music and a procession that makes its way through the streets of Divar. The participants are clad in brightly coloured apparel, and the atmosphere is charged with music and giggles. There are also flag fighting contests that resemble the feuds of the past.
It’s kind of like Capture the Flag but with more singing and dancing and with no actual wars (because it’s not really a war if you’re not actually fighting).
The Magic of Goan Monsoon Festivals
Monsoon festivals in Goa are a testament to the state’s rich cultural tapestry and its ability to celebrate life in all its forms. Whether it’s jumping into wells during Sao Joao, indulging in the sweetness of patolleos, or experiencing the vibrant Bonderam festival, each event offers a unique glimpse into Goa’s soul.
So, if you’re thinking of visiting Goa, why not time your trip with the monsoon season? Travellers will find that Goa offers an entirely new vista – it is beautiful, it is vibrant and it is very hospitable. But the best part of all is that you do not have to worry about throwing in a pair of equally stylish rain boots and umbrellas because in Goa even the rains are a reason to make merry.
In the words of the Goans: “Susegad!” Relax, enjoy, and let the monsoon magic of Goa sweep you off your feet.
