Goa celebrates many festivals
throughout the year, which brings colors and glory to the lives of
the Govan people. Festivals of Goa can be categorized as religious,
harvest and fun festivals. One of the festivals of Goa called
festival of St. Anthony is totally a religious festival
celebrated in the month of June at many places in Goa.
Preparations for this feast called
Talles start thirteen days prior to the festival instead of nine days
preparations for all other festivals. St. Anthony is popular by the
name St. Anthony of Lisbon or St. Anthony of Padua, because he was
born in Lisbon and died at Padua in Italy. The Saint had a large
group of followers, who are praying for him. The feast of St.
Anthony is celebrated in all the churches of Goa. At Siolim a
village in Bardez taluka of Goa the festival is observed with lots of
pomp and fervor. In his life St. Anthony was the patron saint in
church of Siolim. Another majestic celebration of this festival is
observed at Chapel of St Anthony at Goa in Velha. A huge statue of
saint with a serpent in his right hand represents correct nature of
the saint, who used to perform many miracles when he was alive. A
chapel to honor the saint was also raised at Velha in Goa. 13th of
June is the St. Anthony feast day, which is celebrated
throughout the state of Goa. Fairs are also organized during this
festival in some parts of the state. St Anthony Miracle
prayer has shown many unbelievable positive developments taking
place in the lives of his followers. On any Tuesday one can join
those people, who are making a novena by reciting and continuing to
pray some particular prayers for nine consecutive Tuesdays, called St
Anthony’s novena.
Festival of St Anthony being a religious festival of the Christians it attracts many religious people to the churches, where the feast is celebrated. Likewise fairs and festivals of Goa attract huge crowds to the state from the neighboring places. Festival time is the best time to visit this destination, but you must make bookings of your accommodations prior to your departure. Goa hotels offer both luxurious and affordable accommodations at different locations.