New Delhi:
Goa is set to celebrate its rain festival ‘San Joao’ on Saturday, during which local youth will get drunk and jump into wells according to the existing tradition. The dip in water bodies is considered to be a symbol of baptism and cleaning. The Sao Joao Festival is most pompously celebrated in Goa amongst the Catholic community and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist which is celebrated on 24th June every year. The festival is dedicated to Catholic saint John de Baptista.
Various activities are planned across the state with the main attraction being a float parade at Siolim which attracts thousands of locals and tourists.“Traditionally, the festival has groups going house to house in the wards seeking a dip in the well and claiming a reward of seasonal jack fruit, pineapple and others,” says Savio Coutinho, former Chairperson, Margao Municipal Council, who has also organised traditional festival ?O re San Joao? near Margao town.
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Viva #SaoJoao to all. Witness the magical monsoon in Goa and celebrate the vivacious festival of #SaoJoao with us. pic.twitter.com/X5qt06jJAk
— Goa Tourism (@TourismGoa) June 24, 2017
He said the newlyweds were specially chosen for the Sao Joao ceremony, but due to extinction of wells, people prefer to jump in other water bodies including swimming pools.Coutinho said the festival is dedicated to St John de Baptista who according to Biblical story lept for joy on hearing the news of Christ’s birth, and later went on to baptise him in the river Jordan.
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He said during the festival organised by his group, sweets are also served besides hosting various traditional games which are usually played by women folk. Scoring on the festivities, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has hosted various festivities on the cruise ship Santa Monica.
"A shoutout to all the travelers in #Goa!
— Goa Tourism (@TourismGoa) June 23, 2017
Witness the fun and galore of the #SaoJao festival happening tomorrow!" pic.twitter.com/LNkmti6UPM
The event will include cultural programmes along with entertainment and fun for tourists and locals. Also special programs will be conducted during the event including acrobatic jive, Lime dance for couples, black and white illusionary dance, bamboo Dance, laughter contest, coconut breaking contest, Goan dances such as Fugdi, Vavraddi and Dekhni, games and quiz competitions, saree draping contest, splash dance, Goan and Hawaiian dances and selection of Festacho Raza ani Rani,” the GTDC said in a press note.
With PTI inputs