Calender of Christian Festivals in Goa

6 January: Feast of three Kings at Reis Magos, Cansaulim and Chandor
2 February: Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria at Pomburpa
February/March: Mardi Gras Carnival.
Monday after 5th Sunday in Lent: Procession of the Franciscan Order at Old Goa
1st Sunday after Easter: Feast of Jesus at Siridao
16 days after Easter: Feast of Our Lady of Miracles at Mapusa
24 August: Festival of Novidades
1st fortnight of October: Fama de Menino Jesus at Colva
3rd Wednesday of November: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
3rd December: Feast of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa
8th December: Feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception at Panaji and Margao
25 December: Christmas

Calender of Hindu Festivals in Goa

January: Shantadurga Prasann is celebrated at Fatorpa village, south of Margao. Drawing a crowd of lakhs, a night-time procession of chariots bearing the goddess is the prime attraction.

February: A three-day Shri Mangesh Festival takes place in his temple in the Ponda district. In Panaji, the Maruti festival is another crowd-puller.

March: In Goa, the full-moon festival of Holi is called by the name of Shigmo. It is celebrated with big parades and crowds, drums and dance groups competing with huge floats.

May: Igitun Chalne is celebraed when dhoti-clad devotees of the goddess Lairya enter trances and walk over hot coals at the village of Sirigao, Bichloim.

August: Janmashtami is observed in Goa. Ritual bathing in the River Mandovi, off Diwadi Island, to celebrate the birth of Krishna.

August: Bonderam arrives on the fourth Saturday of August. Bonderam means the festival of flags; colourful processions and mock battles are staged in a recollection of the property wars that raged on this island till a century ago.

September / October:

a) The Ganesha Festival is perhaps the most significant Hindu festival in Goa. The festival is celebrated in Goa with religious fervour and spontaneity similar to other parts of India. The idols of Ganesh are carried in procession and immersed in water in ponds, rivers or the sea.
b) There are nine days of festivities in Dussehra when effigies are burned on bonfires, and children perform episodes from the life of Rama.

October/November: Diwali Narkasur, the five-day Hindu "festival of lights" features processions all over the region, often accompanied by fireworks, burning of effigies and the exchange of sweets by neighbours, regardless of their faith.