Christmas in Goa: Enjoy Like Never Before!

Map of Goa

That Goa is very different from just any other state or city in India becomes evident and obvious as you enter Goa. Gone are the ever-present temples and shrines and temples dedicated to Indian deities. The place has been taken away by Christian whitewashed churches that rear mysteriously from behind the palm trees. And for the Goans, they not only recognize the festival of Christmas but also celebrate it with all the gusto and delight.

As Christmas nears, you can feel a sense of excitement in the Goan air. The local markets are occupied with decorative materials and special foods. Every house and church is decorated with colored lights and streamers. Beautiful nativity scenes are painted to exemplify the popular Christmas story. As the big day looms in, groups of carol singers can be seen touring the restaurants in Goa, to earn some extra money. Santa Claus is seen walking through the streets, shaking hands and distributing sweets to the kids.  During the Christmas, while the true essence and meaning of the festival is upholded by Goa, it is even more interesting to see on the other hand how Santa Claus makes his way through the local roads and becomes one with the local people and culture of Goa.

Christmas is the time when you are invited by nature to the sun kissed land of Goa.  Life reverberates as the withered leaves fall just to welcome you to the grandest of all festivals in Goa. Yes, it’s Christmas. It’s the festival, which witnesses the birth of Lord Jesus, every year on December 25^th. It is the time when the entire globe comes together to take pleasure in parties, celebrations, music, dance, and many more. Christmas in Goa is no less than a time when the whole land awakens up for an unparalleled zest and fervor.

Christmas is a festival that is universally celebrated by all, irrespective of any religion, caste or creed. It marks the beginning of feasts and beautiful moments. The Goa Churches decks up in colorful papers and lights and every corner of Goa illuminates with the aroma from candles, thereby creating a pleasing experience for you. Drinking, dancing and partying are an integral part of the lives of people in Goa, and Christmas is no exception, where even the tourists gather for merry making. From carols to hip-hop music, the nights in Goa seems to never come to an end.  Every corner is gorgeously decorated with Christmas trees, ribbons, snow, candles, candies and cakes. People get dresses in their best outfits and exchange gifts with the near ones. Christmas in Goa is a fun time for all and is an extravaganza, the thrill of which you simply cannot afford to miss!

The month of December is considered to be holy. For the Catholics staying in Goa, it is the festival that marks the beginning of feasts and universal celebration irrespective of where one comes from. Amidst these magical moments of joy and happiness, comes the starry night- ‘24^th December’. It is time to welcome Lord Jesus. People gather in groups to welcome this holy and auspicious moment. They wake up in the morning to the musical church bells and go off to sleep with the sounds of the crackers. Goa is the land where high spirits don’t appear to flow and one cannot break loose oneself from the charisma of sheer fun and frolic.

During Christmas Eve, Goa brims with far-off members from various families on their way back home and many visitors eager on experiencing the ecstasy of the season. Christmas carols can be heard every where from Fm radio, to bars and buses. The nativity scene is beautifully created with the help of millet grass, hay, clay statues and boxboard artifacts.

Christmas Rituals in Goa

Though the festival of Christmas is originally meant for the Christians, yet people from all other religions participate in the merry making and revelry. Christmas is celebrated in Goa in a truly stunning way. The message of love, affection and peace is spread among the people on this occasion. People engage themselves in partying, gifts exchanging, drinking dancing, singing and eating.

The Goan Catholics as well the other people in Goa get dressed up in their best attires and set out for merry making and attending midnight mass with their near ones. The streets in Goa overflow with people shopping, dancing and singing away into glory. Men dressed as Santa Claus are seen walking through the streets, offering gifts, snacks and sweets especially to children. Houses in Goa are beautifully decorated with stars, Christmas trees, shining lights and clay lamps. The Churches are filled with people who come to offer their praying to Lord Jesus.

Christmas in Goa is the time for day and night partying. Every corner of Goa from the beaches to the city hubs witnesses large gathering of people who have plans to dance away the whole night with their friends, family and loved ones. Family reunions are an integral part of the celebrations of Christmas in Goa. During Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass is observed by many families. The Midnight Mass marks the birth of Lord Jesus in the midnight. Christmas carols and hymns are sung by the Goans at midnight. Lighting candles and sounding bells characterizes the midnight mass, during the Christmas. People savor on delicious eateries and various types of cakes are baked and cut on the occasion of Christmas.

Christmas Decorations in Goa

Christmas decorations in Goa are an integral part of the city’s Christmas celebrations. The first and foremost thing without which the decoration is incomplete is the decoration of the Christmas trees. The Christmas trees are magnificently decorated with hanging balls, colored papers, shining lights, small figures of squirrels, lambs, birds, and horses, moons, stars, snow, streamers, beautiful gifts and many more. Various fruits are used to embellish the Christmas tree. Colorful socks are often hanged with the belief that Santa would fill those socks with beautiful gifts. The houses are also decorated with poinsettias, colorful papers, beautiful paintings etc. The Churches, decorated with artifacts and wrapped in lights look amazingly gorgeous. Clay statues, clay lamps, beautiful artifacts of millet, box board and hay grass are also used for decoration.

Churches to Visit during Christmas in Goa

• Basilica of Bom Jesus
• Church of Our Lady of Rosary
• Church of St Anne
• Church of Reis Magos
• Church of Holy Spirit
• Se Cathedral
• Church of St Francis of Assisi
• Reis Magos Church

Christmas Food in Goa

Goa has always been the land of celebrations and festivals and this is very strongly reflected in the Goa food. With Christian Community predominant in Goa, the people of Goa have their own unique ways to celebrate Christmas. In keeping with this festival, the Goans have a distinct cuisine that is specially made on the occasion of Christmas. The gusto of Christmas in Goa is beautifully reflected in the sweet puddings, the varied meat and fish dishes etc. Christmas also happens to be the ideal time for the tourists and travelers to take pleasure in the scrumptious Christmas cuisine in the region.

For all those foodies out there, you can savor on a number of interesting eateries, while in Goa. Some of the special food items available during Christmas, in Goa are

Sorpatel: This is a traditional curry in Goa and forms a vital part of Goa’s Christmas cuisine. It is made of pork meat and liver.

Bebinca: Bebinca is a popular Goan desert, revealing sweetness of the festival of Christmas in the land of Goa.

Pork Vindaloo: This dish is a main course food item. With a tangy taste, the dish can be best enjoyed with Jeera rice and plain boiled rice.

Some of the other dishes especially made during the Christmas Festival in Goa are Prawn Balchao, Chocolate Walnut Fudge, Prawn Ambot Tik, Fish Xacuti, and Chicken Cafreal to name just some of them.

Christmas in Goa means festivity, entreaty, prayers and joy! Being a major festival in Goa, Christmas is celebrated with all the gaiety, keenness and love.  So the ideal time for you to pay down a visit to Goa is during the Christmas. This is not only the time when Christmas celebrations begin in Goa but also the weather is very pleasant and ideal for touring. “Christmas in Goa: Enjoy Like Never Before”!

 

Churches in Goa – A Tryst with the Pristine!

Goa Churches

Goa that pulsates with life and the cadence of the disco at night, overflows with gaiety and leisure will surely place you in a different and contrasting mood in the mornings. While you tap your foot to the rhythm at night, wake yourself up to the euphonical chimes at the church in Goa. As you hang around with your friends at night, engage yourself in a silent pray before Jesus, in the morning. Goa definitely provides you with great opportunity to discover the antique streets of Christianity.

Goa served as a strong political and religious base at the time of Portuguese rule. With the encouragement from the Portuguese government, the missionaries soon started building convents along with churches. This resulted in an overflow in the various architectural activities in Goa. The Portuguese and the Italian architects started designing churches in Goa on similar lines as that of Baroque architecture of Rome. This is how various monuments and churches came up in Goa. From 18th century onwards, these beautiful works of art started ruining owing to natural calamities. Few churches exist in Goa even today that bears the testimony of erstwhile grandeur.

The Goa churches serves as fine examples of European architecture that interests both the foreigners and the Indians. The churches in Goa carry with them the stamp of the rich cultural, social and religious life of Goa.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Located in Old Goa, Basilica of Bom Jesus is only 10 km from Panjim. This spectacular church in Goa deserves a World Heritage Site status. This church is popular for it has preserved St. Francis Xavier‘s mortal remains. St. Francis Xavier was a member of the Society of Jesus, who came to India for spreading Christianity. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is the 1^st minor cathedral in India.

Bom Jesus means “Good Jesus” and the church was established in about 1695. Among the richest churches in Goa, Bom Jesus church also happens to be a major milestone in the Christian historical legacy.

Both the exteriors and interiors of the church are extravagantly and beautifully decorated. White marble floor and the semi precious stones add to the beauty. The altar has been wrapped in gold. With a height of 54 feet and a breadth of 30 feet, the church has been constructed in Mosaic-Corinthian style and won’t fail to charm you.

Church of Mary Immaculate Conception

Situated in the center of the city of Panaji in Goa, Church of Mary Immaculate Conception is among the oldest churches in Goa. Come and feel the blessings at the church and wonder at the architectural pleasures. The decoration of the church although simple yet exudes beauty and charm. It is supposed that this church was rebuilt in the year 1619 from an older church.

The beat time to visit the church is after the sunset when the church looks amazingly stunning as it is lit up with innumerable light bulbs offering it a blissful look. The church is the perfect example of simplicity and elegance. There are 2 alters dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary and Jesus Christ. Further there are 2 marble statues of St Peter and St Paul and also a chapel of St. Francis Xavier. The monument can be seen in its full splendor during the evenings.

Reis Magos Church

Located on the banks of the River Mandovi, in a village called Reis Magos in Goa, the Reis Magos church serves as an important and popular landmark in Goa. The church stands like stunning white monument on the river banks thereby offering a beautiful sight to behold.

The Reis Magos church is very popular among the tourists especially because of the annual feast that is put up by it every year on January 6^th. Dedicated to St. Jerome, this famous church in Goa was established way back in the year 1555. It is believed that the church has been constructed on the remains of an old Hindu temple, which is evident from the fact that as one enters the church through the stairs, the bas-relief lion statues welcome all, which is very common to Hindu temples. Reis Magos Church had an important place during the period of the Portugese. 2 viceroys of Goa were also buried here. The decorations of the church beautifully uphold the story of the ‘Three Wise Men’ who goes to see Baby Jesus Christ with gifts.

Se Cathedral

Located in Old Goa, Se Cathedral is 9 km away from the city of Panaji. Dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, this glorious edifice was established during the Portuguese period in India i.e. in the 16th century. While the construction of the church began in the year 1562, it was completed in 1619. After the construction of the Se Cathedral Church in Goa, it was declared as Asia’s largest church.

The architectural approach of the church is a blend of the Portuguese style and the gothic elements. While the interiors of the church showcase the Corinthian style, the exteriors uphold the Tuscan style. The church is 250 feet long with a breadth of 181 feet. The church is popular among the travelers for the giant bell called the “Golden Bell”, which is well-known for its rich tone and melody. It is also Goa’s largest bell and among the world’s best. Lovely paintings grace the walls of the church. There is a ‘Cross of Miracles’ chapel near the main altar. It is believed that in 1919 a vision of Jesus Christ appeared here and since that time, the cross hung in the church is growing slowly. This splendid church in Goa is surely a must visit for you.

Church of St. Augustine

Located on top of the Holy Hill in old Goa, Church of St. Augustine is one of the most sought after monuments among the tourist in Goa. The joint efforts of twelve Augustinians resulted in the construction of the church in 1602. A convent was also built beside the church. However, the church and the convent both were abandoned following the ban put up by the then Portuguese Government in India. At present only the remains and a tower of the Saint Augustine church remains, which was considered among the greatest of the 3 Augustinian churches.  The tower of the church, which is 46 meters high, is the major attraction. Earlier it had 4 stories and was a campanile. It also had a huge bell that has now been removed to of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Panaji. Further, the church was replete with 4 beautifully decorated altars and 8 chapels. After 1931, the church started deteriorating due to various natural forces and neglect. However, the tower and the portico still look splendid and draw in a number of tourists from all across the world.

St. Paul Church

St. Paul Church is located on the road to Ponda from old Goa. This ruined church was the joint effort of the 2 priests Miguel Vaz and Diogo de Borba. The church was completed on 25^th of January, 1543, which is also celebrated as a day of Feast of Conversion of St. Paul.

St. Paul church also served as a well known and leading educational institute in India. Both primary and higher education was imparted by it. It also had a hospital and library. Asia’s first printing press was also set up by the St. Paul church. In 1560, the church was pulled down in order to build a new church. This however, faced a strong opposition from the Nuns of Santa Monica and the Augustinians and the building was also set fire several times in between the years 1591 to 1675.  St. Francis Xavier’s mortal remains were also preserved within the church. The government in the year 1829 decided to pull down the church owing to several problems and the already dilapidated condition of the church.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is a spectacular building situated in Old Goa, 10km from Panaji. Built in between 1517-1521 AD, the church has been now changed into a museum. One can find a mix of Hindu and Christian elements in the architectural design of the church. The church was demolished soon after it was set up. The present church, which exists today in Goa, was rebuilt again in 1661.  In the year 1964, the church was converted into a museum by the Indian Government, which is now used for the purpose of displaying old paintings and ancient relics. The decorations and paintings on the walls of the church will give you an Indian feel. A statue of St. Michael welcomes us right away at the entrance this beautiful church.

So those of you, who are already acquainted with the night life of the land, come and enjoy with us the bizarre contrast of Goa amidst the beautiful and rugged churches in Goa.