Navelim, Colmorod, Pedda-Benaulim, Varca, Borda and everywhere in Salcete, people were singing and dancing to the tunes of Kataram and songs. The rain gods however did not pour all day but the spirit of the Sashtikaars didn’t keep them away from the water. Navelkaar’s jumped into the wells, Banaulkaars jumped into the Pedda lake, Colmorodkaar’s had their own rain dance and Borda was soaking itself in the well.
“I have been to the Sao Joao celebrations at the star hotels, lawns and farmhouses but the feeling of being in my village with my people is priceless,” said Wendy from Kuwait who has specially flown down to Goa for Sao Joao.
Sao Joao celebrations in Colmorod were taken one step ahead and got women involved in the usually male dominated and antique game of tabla. “Why should women have ‘Laatnem’ in their hands all the while, we decided to give tabla in their hands,” said Savio Coutinho the former chairperson of MMC.
The popularity of Sao Joao is increasing every passing year and the proof of the same is the people who have brought forward their holidays and come down to Goa all the way from Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai and Australia. The celebrations will continue for another 3 days.
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Sao Joao revelries in Vasco
VASCO: Revellers form Vasco throng in large number to take part in the Sao Joao celebration organised by various social groups in Vasco on Wednesday.
South Goa MP Narendra Savoikar, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, took part in the Sao Joao celebration organised by Bhute Bhat Club of Patrong Baina.
Meanwhile, the MMC Chairperson Lavina D’Souza, Vice Chairperson MMC Tara Kerkar and other other council members attended the festival organised by locals from Khariwado in Vasco.
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John the Baptist feast celebrated at Benaulim
BENAULIM: The annual feast of St John the Baptist was celebrated with pomp and gaiety at St John the Baptist church in Benaulim on Wednesday.
The main celebrant at the concelebrated high mass was Fr Avinash Rebello, parish priest of Holy Spirit church Margao. In his homily he stressed on the life of St John who was a humble person and who always stood for truth and humility. He advised the faithful to embrace the life of St John and his teachings and a live of values with Lord Jesus as the centre.
The other co-celebrants were Fr Lucio Dias, Fr Joao Coelho and Fr Manuel Gomes. Even heavy rains did not dampen the spirit of the devotees with hundreds attending the annual feast.
