Goan festivities - Goa is a colorful vibrant city and its vibrancy is not confined within four boundaries of its heritage sites and monuments only.

There is something else also that extends beyond these. This is festivals in Goa. There are many holidays and Goa festivals that are celebrated and enjoyed to the full. And these are the best times to see the great religious mix of people. On national holidays banks and post offices in Goa remain closed. As per festivals are concerned, Hindu religious festivals are celebrated on the basis of lunar calendar whereby dates are found to vary each year. However, Christian festivals are observed on fixed dates.

Goa festivals are celebrated round the year. And the most common thing found in every celebration is feasts and processions. It is believed that long period of Portuguese colonization has played an important role in the way festivals are observed in Goa. In fact Hindu festivals in Goa are also not untouched of its influence. It can be said that the Portuguese influence has rendered unique Goan character to them and has brought more elegance and style.

Most of the festivals in Goa are celebrated the same way they are celebrated in other parts of India. However, these festivals have a distinctive Goan touch. Some of the most famous Goan festivals comprising Hindu and Christian when you can actually see the true religious spirit of the natives are listed below. Goa has a rich cultural history and being a part of India itself means having a kaleidoscope of festivals. This small sate of India was under the Portugal rule, Mughal rule and also has a tradition of its own. This has resulted in a unique cultural amalgamation, which is evident from the festivals it celebrates. People in Goa are extremely tolerant of different religions and respect different religious faiths.

Goa celebrates not only Hindu, Muslim and Christian festivals, but also festivals that are exclusive to Goa. Some of these festivals are typical of Goa and can be as Goan festivals. Check out our related sections to have an idea about the major festivals of Goa.