Enjoy weekend vacationing in Goa this monsoon 2019

Goa is a very popular coastal state very close to Maharashtra. It’s barely 600 kms from Mumbai (10 hours), 450 kms from Pune (8 hours) and around 560 kms from Bengaluru (9 hours). Close proximity to these cities result in Goa being the favorite hangout all year long and that is precisely why everyone should spend their weekends in Goa, especially   during the upcoming monsoon season as weekends have  a lot in store from June to September this 2019.

While most activities  on the beach draw to a halt,  one  can  continue to plan  short weekend trips to Goa to enjoy the refreshing rainfall  over the weekends and exciting events and  activities that coincide with it.

This will enthuse  nature lovers, photographers, party lovers and anyone interested in experiencing and being a part of   Goa’s monsoon tourism.  This year weekend vacationing  has a promising lineup of  activities and events for  all tourists visiting Goa. In some  cases extended weekend vacationing  is also in store for those wishing to stay longer to enjoy the rains and the rein  of festivities.

Here are some  of the prefect  weekend and extended weekend  holiday opportunities to avail:

Sao Joao

Viva San Joao!’ is what young men and women enthusiastically yell out before jumping into wells, streams and rivers to celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist, who is believed to have jumped in his mother’s womb when he heard the news of Jesus’ impending birth. This year Sao Joao is on  a Monday, 24^th June 2019 giving tourists  an opportunity  to have  an extended weekend vacation in Goa. 

San Joao, like any other Goan feast has that captivating spirit of merriment, colour and tradition. People dress in colourful outfits from several villages meet near a stream front in carnival-coloured boats and floats. The feast is marked by people of all ages by jumping into wells, ponds and rivers. The festival is then followed by different types of folk dances and exchange of fruits and other eatables between friends and relatives. The feast is celebrated across the state and is majorly celebrated in the village of Siolim, Goa. 

Sangodd

The Feast of St. Peter, also known as Sangodd, is a monsoon-based celebration by Goa’s local fishing community. Their boats are tied together to form rafts, which serve as makeshift stages. On these stages are erected miniature models of chapels or churches. This year Sangodd will be celebrated on the last weekend of June.

Touxeachem Feast

Touxeachem Fest (in Konkani) also known as Cucumber Feast is a very popular feast celebrated in Goa. It is celebrated at the magnificent Church of St Anne also known as the Santana Church located at Talaulim in Tiswadi taluka and   dedicated to St Anne.The main aspect of this feast is the unusual tradition of offering cucumbers to St Anne in return for a favour. Besides the large number of devotees, this festival is popular with the newly-weds who throng the church in large numbers. According to tradition, childless couples offer cucumbers and utter a petition ‘Senhora, tomai pepino, dai me menino’, which means ‘Lady, take this cucumber and give me a child’. Likewise, bachelors seeking a wife in marriage offer spoons and spinsters who seek a husband offer lentils like urad dal. Many newly wedded brides offer their ‘chuddo’ (bangles) to St Anne. This year the  feast is on the last  weekend  of July.

Chikalkalo

Chikalkalo is another happening event that is conducted in the Marcel village during the monsoons. Chikalkalo literally means ’play in the mud'. This festival celebrates the fun and games that Lord Krishna and his friends used to have whilst playing in the fields during the monsoon season. Devotees here plunge into a roll-in-the-muck 'mud bath' two days after Aashadhi Ekadashi. This year the  feast is on the last  weekend  of July.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami is a famous festival of the Hindus and is celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Krishna.This festival usually comes around August – September according to the Hindu  calendar and this year it would be celebrated on 24^th August which is a weekend. People visit temples to pray and decorate their houses beautifully with flowers. Yong boys usually hang a mall earthen pot that is filled with buttermilk known as “ Dahi Handi” at a height of around 9-10 feet (sometimes higher)They form a pyramid by standing on top of one another and attempt to break the pot while the people around cheer them and attempt to break their pyramid by pouring water.

Bonderam

This is the most happening festival on the fourth weekend  of August celebrated on a grand scale on the Island of Divar. The name Bonderam revolves around the involvement of flags which in itself is an interesting story. The word "Bonderam" originated from the involvement of flags. "Bandeira" is the Portuguese word for the Flag. It is stated that during the Portuguese rule in Goa there were frequent disputes between two sections of the Divar village over property issues. To find a solution to this problem, the Portuguese introduced a system of demarcation of boundaries with flags. This festival starts with a flag parade which is accompanied by the brass band. Later there is a fancy dress competition which is followed by the traditional float parade. Bonderam is a very popular monsoon festival in Goa and it draws huge crowds from all parts of Goa and world over.

Ponsachem Fest

Ponsachem fest known as Jackfruit festival is also celebrated on the day of Sao Joao. The festival was originally celebrated to savour Goa's choicest jackfruits and the delicious items made from it. The festival takes place in the Socorro village and is now popular in other villages of the State as well. 

Ganesh Chaturti

Ganesh Chaturti is celebrated in Goa with much excitement and fervor. Days ahead of Chaturti  matoli is organized across the state where people shop for items that are used exclusively during the Ganesh festival. Authentic traditional Goan food is prepared during Chaturti and Ganesh utsav celebrations with large size Ganeshas are on display for devotees all across Goa. This year Ganesh Chaturti is on a Monday, 2^ndSeptember 2019 giving tourists an opportunity to have an extended weekend vacation in Goa.

Other weekend offerings

One can avail of the monsoon adventure activities  that will  kick-off in  June.  Every weekend offers nature lovers  a trekking expedition into the  hinterlands of Goa to explore the  wilderness that is rejuvenated    by the raindrops. One gets close to  nature, waterfalls, flora and  fauna and can  have a taste  of well-cooked monsoon  cuisine along the way.  

The much loved monsoon  white water rafting in River Mhadei  also  gets started and  one  can  take the opportunity of  enjoying this seasonal adventure activity during the week and  weekends.

A ride on the Hop On Hop Off  luxury bus is also  available during the monsoons. Tourists can  enjoy the scenic beauty of Goa, the heritage along the way  and relax as the HOHO bus travels through scenic Panjim and  the outskrits during the week and weekends this monsoon. 

Another  perfect way to spend the weekend is by touring Raj Bhavan  over the weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday). The Raj Bhavan  Darshan  tours  will continue  during the monsoons and  one  should do prior  bookings to avoid disappointment.

So  head to Goa  this monsoon and enjoy the  weekends, ride on a bike   or a bicycle, feast on  monsoon  cuisine and beverage and  last but not the least be filled with the spirit as the season and  the hospitality that Goa has to offer!