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Fairs & Festivals in Goa


Gleaming white church steeples peeping out from the top of vast expanses of the green canopy of palm trees is a common sight all across the landscape of Goa. Most of these churches are the remnants of centuries of evangelisation which bears eloquent testimony to the energy and enthusiasm of the various monastic orders established under the Portuguese rule.

Every village and town in Goa has its own church or chapel. And throughout the year, the annual feast of some local church or the other is celebrated somewhere in Goa.

Some of these feast are very small, attended only by the local villagers. Others like the Feast of St Francis Xavier attract thousands of visitors from all over the world. And like some of the Hindu festivals which are attended by Christians, the Christians festivals too attract Hindu devotees in large numbers.

Undoubtedly, the biggest of all Christian Festivals is the Feast of St Francis Xavier or Goinchea Saibache Fest as it is known locally. St Francis Xavier is known locally as Goincho Saib or the Lord of Goa.

Celebrated in the first week of December, the feast takes place at Old Goa. Thousands of vendors set up their stalls all long the route through Old Goa and on the day of the feast, millions of visitors from all across the world make their way to Old Goa to participate in the morning mass.

There are many other feasts in Goa which have become famous around the world for their uniqueness. These include the Three Kings Feast and The Procession of Saints.

Click on the Following Christian Festivals Celebrated in Goa:

» Christmas

» Good Friday

» Konsachem Fest

» Touxeachem Fest

» Feast of St Francis Xavier

» Bonderam

» Feast of Three Kings

» Colva Fama

» Sao Joao

» Margao Feast

» Procession of Saints