calendar icon Sat, June 24, 2023

This fun-filled festival is dedicated to St John The Baptist, a prominent figure in the Holy Bible. On this day, Goans don colourful kopels, which are crowns made of fruits, flowers and vegetables, and dance to their hearts' content. People jump into the sea, pools or any water body to mark baptism. It is a 175-year-old festival that is celebrated to mark the devour of St John the Baptist. According to the Bible, when Mother Mary was with Jesus, she visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was carrying St John the Baptist in her womb. As soon as the two women met, St John the Baptist was delighted in Elizabeth's womb. The Bible says that later on Jesus Christ was baptised by St John the Baptist in River Jordan.