Goa, with its sun-kissed beaches, colourful festivals and cross cultural cuisine, is called the pearl of the orient. In a major boost to the tourist influx, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation is organising three back-to-back festivals with an aim to bring people closer to the culture, tradition, festivals and cuisine of the region. The line of festivals began Shigmotsav, which will end on March 20. It unfolds the state’s culture and folklore amid colour, music, dance, costume and elaborate tableaux depicting Hindu mythology and religious fervor.
Shigmotsav will immediately be followed by the Goa Food and Cultural Festival 2015, which will continue from March 17 to Arpil 21. The festival which is generally held during Carnaval, has been re-scheduled this year and the five-day sizzling event will be held at the DB Bandodkar Ground at Campal. It will present Goa’s authentic cuisine along with presentation of Goa’s folklore and a volley of cultural shows by local Goan artistes.
The major attraction, however, will be the Goa Coconut and Cashew Festival which is scheduled from April 29 to May 3. It will be for the first time that the state’s Tourism Ministry is giving an opportunity for tourists to experience Goa in a nutshell. The festival will showcase all the characteristics of Goa’s agro-based products which forms an important part in the lives of the local Goans. From food to handicrafts, games, beverages, desserts and cultural programmes, the entire event will evolve around coconuts and cashews.
Addressing a recent conference in Capital, Ameya Abhyankar, director of tourism, said, “Goa loves to celebrate the essence of life and Goa Tourism helps to bring out the best of Goa’s culture, heritage, traditions, feasts, festivals and cuisine through such events. Goa Tourism wants to add more and new attractions for tourists to enjoy. Being a holiday destination 365 days of the year, we have an event almost every month so that vacationers can feel the true spirit of Goa.”