Know what all you can experience at a Goan 'jatra'

Samrudhdi Kerkar

THE JOY OF JATRA

Jatra or Kaalo, is a vibrant annual festival in Goan temples where devotees gather to seek the blessings of the deity. The jatra season begins with Tulsi Vivah and concludes before the monsoon season begins.

Goa | Jatra | Festive spirit | Goan festivals | Cultural heritage | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

CHILDREN'S DELIGHT

During the jatra, Goan villages take on a festive atmosphere. And, for children, it's time to delight in the colourful toy shops, sweet treats, and fun activities, making the fair their favourite part of the festivity.

Goan Jatra | Sweet treats & toys | Festive spirit | Village celebration | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

SWEET TRADITION

In homes, jatra is a time to welcome guests with traditional delicacies such as shirvolyo, a dish of rice noodles served with tasty ros, made from coconut milk, jaggery and cardamom.

Goa | Jatra | Sweetness | Rice noodles | Culture | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

SPIRITUAL PARADE

The idol of the deity, meant for the festive occasion, is taken out in a procession either in a palkhi (palanquin) or a multi-storied chariot decorated with colourful paper flags.

Goa | Jatra | Deity | Procession | Palkhi | Chariot | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

CRUNCHY TREAT

Freshly roasted peanuts and chickpeas, or chone (as they're known in Konkani, the local language) add savoury warmth to the jatra atmosphere.

Goa | Jatra | Roasted delights | Goan bites | Street food | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

COLOURFUL CHARM

The streets come alive with stalls selling earrings, utensils, toys and flowers. The kaasar, known as bangle seller, adds colour to the jatra with a colourful array of bangles.

Goa | Jatra | Fair | Stalls | Bangle sellers | Festive shopping | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

HOLY OFFERINGS

Devotees never fail to carry bananas, coconuts, incense sticks, flowers and garlands as offerings, known as ghoti, to the deity. These are sold in large quantities near the temple adding to the divine atmosphere.

Goa | Jatra | Temple offerings | Holy rituals | Divine gifts | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

SWEET SOMETHING

People attending the jatra take home khajem, finger-sized sweet sticks made from chickpea flour and jaggery. These sticks are also taken home as a token of blessings from the jatra.

Goa | Jatra | Sweet treats | Khajem | Blessed bites | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

SOULFUL SOUNDS

The temple is enveloped with the divine fragrance of incense and flowers, mixed with bhajans and kirtans that resonate through the village, adding to the spiritual fervour.

Goa | Jatra | Temple | Bhajans | Kirtans | Divine sounds | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

FOLK LEGACY

The celebration culminates with Dashavatari Natak, a folk drama that entertains and promotes socio-cultural values, while at the same time showcasing a cultural heritage passed down through generations.

Goa | Jatra | Folk drama | Cultural legacy | Tradition & values | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

NEXT: Loliem in Goa keeps date with Divajanchi Jatra

SEE MORE