GTDC to celebrate Sao Joao on Santa Monica on June 24, 2016

As Goa reverberates to the sound of the rain and swings with the whispering winds, Goa Tourism Development Corporation is all set to celebrate Sao Joao on June 24, 2016, one of the most popular monsoon festivals in Goa. Sao Joao is the feast dedicated to St. John the Baptist and is celebrated with much fervor and festivity across the State.

Sao Joao is a traditional Goan festival celebrated on 24th June every year. This festival adds to the charm of the monsoons where Goans deck up in colourful costumes, wear fruit and flower laden wreaths called kopel on their heads, move in processions, partake in floats and last but not the least, splash into wells overflowing with rain water.

Sao Joao is the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus who also baptized Jesus in River Jordan. According to the Biblical story, Mary, the Mother of God broke the news to her sister Elizabeth that she was going to have a baby named Jesus. At that time Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist who jumped with joy in Elizabeth’s womb on hearing the news.

Hence Sao Joao marks the event of ‘the leap of joy’ where young men and boys jump into wells and water bodies shouting ‘Viva Sao Joao’.

To mark this occasion, GTDC is set to give tourists a taste of the traditions behind Sao Joao on board the Santa Monica from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.

The five hour celebration will include DJ music, dance performances of the Samba, Salsa and Jive, lime dance, bamboo dance, splash dance, the umbrella song, the Sao Joao festachem pursanv and several competitions like laughter contest, coconut breaking contest, saree drapping contest, Goff and the magic dress change act.

Tickets for the event are priced at Rs 1,800 per couple, Rs 900 per person and children between 5.12 years will be charged Rs 400 all inclusive of snacks and buffet. Tickets will be available at all GTDC residencies and at the Santa Monica Jetty 0832 2438754, 2437496 or contact Surendra 9881283262, Armando 9881465776 for more details.

Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Hon’ble Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation said, “Goa’s traditional feast Sao Joao is celebrated by GTDC every year on its cruise boat Santa Monica. This festival is a big draw for tourists to Goa during the monsoons and GTDC ensures that tourists get the real taste of Goa’s traditions and tempting cuisine. This year too, the celebration promises to be exciting and fun-filled and with the monsoons in full gusto, the Sao Joao event organized by GTDC is set for an overwhelming response.”