Come 24th June every year, its Celebration time in Goa, its "San Jao".
It is said that on this day St John the Baptist took a leap in his mother's womb. This leap was considered to be a leap of joy. This festival derives its name from the saint and people celebrate this day by jumping into lakes, wells and rivers across the state.
Its also known as the "Javoiache fest" which means the "Son-in-laws of the village". Traditionally this is a time where newly wed sons-in-law celebrate at their mothers-in-law's house. On this occasion the mother presents the daughter a basket full of fruits to be taken their new home and then they are distributed to friends, relatives and neighbours. Young as well as the old take part in the "San Jao" Festivities. They wear floral crowns(headgear)/"Copels" on their heads and dance to the beats of drums. Cultural performance and rain dances are organised in most of the resorts in Goa.
Villagers celebrating San Jao |
Villagers palying drums and chanting "Viva San Jao" |
Villagers at Calangute going about the village palying drums and chanting |
The "San Jao" Splash |
The "San Jao" Splash |
The colorfully dressed San Jao reveler |
A girl carrying a little princess wearing her "copel" |
The macho men wearing their copel |
The macho men wearing their copel |
Thats little Ms. Photogenic with her "copel" |
He stood tall with his "copel" made of flowers and fruits |
The girl in black did win a prize for her copel |
They were rewarded for wearing the most beautiful "Copel" |
The beauties wearing their copels |
One of the villagers wearing his copel |
Cultural and Singing programs organised at the San Jao Celebration |
The little ones with their "copels" |
The little ones with their "copels" |
The macho men and the little girl wearing their copel |
The floats on boats at the San Jao celebrations at Siolim |
The floats on boats at the San Jao celebrations at Siolim |
The floats on boats at the San Jao celebrations at Siolim |
Younsters splashing water on each other chanting "Viva San Jao" |
Every float that comes with a boat have to put a crown "copel" by climbing over |
The huge crowd gathered at the San Jao Celebrations at Siolim |
Foreigner Tourists being a part of the celebrations |
Section of the crowd enjoying San Jao celebrations from the bridge at siolim |
