Panjim: The monsoon rains heralded a welcome relief from the unrelenting summer heat in the erstwhile Portuguese state of Goa, where locals and tourists took a traditional dive into the wells and rivers.
The occasion was the popular “Sao Joao” Fest that is celebrated globally and is a huge tourism draw for Goa with the state tourism department highlighting it even as the curtain fell on the G20 Tourism summit recently.
This Fest is held at the beginning of the monsoon season where people of all ages jump into wells, ponds, streams and rivers in Goa.
Dressed in their colourful festive best including the beautiful flowery headgear “Kopel” (crown), villagers welcomed people with a variety of sliced fruits and juices in keeping with the age-old, global traditions ushered in by the Portuguese over the centuries.
The popular tourism villages of Siolim and Aldona in North Goa continued to witness the crazy rush of tourists from different parts of India and abroad as they joined in the activities.
The “Teen Manos” (three bridges) section in Aldona saw people leaping off the low bridge into the swirling high tide waters of the river within safety limits set by the concerned authorities.
Melwyn Fernandes, owner of La Bonita resort in Aldona, narrated why he quit the wealthy shores of the Middle East to return back to Goa and follow his dream – to build a “fun, sun and river resort” echoing to the melodious music tunes that now swept the festive area.
To mark the Sao Joao fest, Fernandes highlighted his signature liquid offering – a local fruit punch titled “BonitaPunch” – that was distributed ‘free’ to the incoming tourist crowds who swayed to the booming music “Rain Dance” in the pouring rain.
As usual, Siolim – the most popular “Sao Joao” venue in Goa – witnessed huge crowds lining the riverside to watch the boats competing for the honours of winning the prizes. Traditional “Floatboats” bearing fruity tableaux of the Fest floated down Siolim Creek, amidst music and fruit offerings. Legend has it that young men in Goa jumped into wells to retrieve gifts thrown in by the villagers. Now local youth showcase their unusual talents in competitions, while newly-married couples/parents offer seasonal fruits and ‘feni’ for consumption to all.
