Goa Local Custom Tips by BluBluBlu Top 5 Page for this destination

Ganesh Chaturthi RELIGION Review

Ganesh is my favourite Hindu God! The past week has been fireworks, more fireworks, and even more fireworks! Large idols of Ganesh are put in the local temples and after 3,5,7, 9 or eleven days the idols of Ganesh are celebrated in the streets, and carried down to local rivers or the sea for holy dips. Great fun!

Carnival RELIGION Review

Every February Goa has a 'Carnival' which runs over four days covering Panjim, Margao, Mapusa, and Vasco De Gama. Calangute has its own seperate Carnival, on the same weekend with a grand procession of floats in the afternoon, followed by a concert at the football pitch in the evening. Its really good fun, and there was a great atmosphere among the visitors and locals. Every bar was packed out...as was every rooftop! For more pics take a look at the seperate travelogue.

Arpora Chapel RELIGION Review

This typical white washed chapel is situated by the crossroads at Arpora. Like quite a few Goan chapels its only used for one festival each year. This one celebrates Epiphany, and is only open for about 8 days in total (January), and the festivities finish in a great firework display!

Christmas RELIGION Review

Christmas is HUGE in Goa...and is the busiest time of the year. Parties everywhere...and a huge influx of visitors. Its great seeing lots of Father Christmas hats being worn...and its in the 90's!

St Francis Xavier Festival RELIGION Review

This is a huge festival in Old Goa...thousands turn up!

Diwali RELIGION Review

This is the festival of lights...seen all over India...lots of oil lamps are lit in every house, and sweets and biscuits being exchanged.

Shigmo or Holi RELIGION Review

I love this festival! Again its normally around March. Its a mad week of processions...and each Village seems to celebrate it on different days. Its really good fun...full of colour...but watch out for the paint bombs!

So diverse! RELIGION Review

Goa has such a mix of people that there's a celebration somewhere virtually every day! Some are on set dates ( like Christmas ) and others move around according to the lunar cycle. All are fun...all worth getting involved in.