Know how Goa’s monsoon festivals keep the spirit of celebration alive

MONSOON SPIRIT

In Goa, the rains are not just a season — they’re a celebration. As the Western Ghats burst into lush green, Goans honour the monsoon with age-old traditions and a deep reverence for nature’s gifts.

VAT PURNIMA

Women tie threads around banyan trees, praying for their husbands’ long lives. It's a ritual of love and devotion, which is observed in western India celebrating the sacred bond of marriage.

NAG PANCHAMI

Snakes are revered in this festival, especially cobras. Nag Panchami nurtures a respectful coexistence between humans and wildlife.

AAYTAR (Sunday) PUJAN

On Sundays, non-Brahmin women offer seasonal leaves and flowers to the Sun God. It's an ode to nature’s gifts and a gesture of gratitude.

RAKSHA BANDHAN

Sisters tie rakhis on their brothers' wrists, marking a bond of love and lifelong protection.

GOKULASHTAMI

Lord Krishna’s birthday is marked by joyous celebrations, where pots of curd are smashed in playful reverence. It’s a time of bhajans, laughter, and hearts brimming with devotion.

SAO JOAO

Goa’s most iconic monsoon festival sees people diving into wells and dancing in the rain, celebrating St John the Baptist with infectious joy and community spirit.

CHIKAL KALO

In this age-old Goan tradition, people revel in the mud, gleefully smearing each other as they celebrate their deep, playful bond with the earth.

EKADASHI

Ekadashi, devoted to Lord Vitthal, is observed with fasting and prayer. Amid the rains, it offers a moment of spiritual stillness, as devotees seek purity, inner peace, and a deeper connection with the divine.

GANESH CHATURTHI

Goa’s grandest celebration unfolds as Lord Ganesha is welcomed with rituals, joyful music, and sweet offerings, filling homes and hearts with devotion, festivity, and the spirit of togetherness.

SANGOD UTSAV

Decorated boats float on rivers, carrying deities in celebration. Sangodd is a visual treat of faith and festivity on water.

NEXT: Monsoon magic in Goa’s hinterlands with The Local Beat