Viva Sao Joao! Glimpses across Goa

This celebrations stands out as it takes place in the middle of monsoon when not many outdoor activities take place.

Sao Joao is not merely  a festival of drinking liquor and jumping in the wells. It has a religious significance.

Sao joao or saint john the Baptist is the cousin of Jesus Christ.

When he was in his mother’s womb, Mother Mary visited his mother Elizabeth.

Saint John is said to have leapt inside his mother’s womb with joy.

The leaping into water symbolizes Sao Joao’s joy.

He re are the glimpses of merry-making in various villages and towns.

On the day of Sao Joao fest, the newly wedded sons-in-law are invited to celebrate the feast at their in-laws’ homes.

The mother gifts the daughter a basket full of fruits.

It is then distributed among village boys.

The boys go around the village, wearing a crown of leaves and flowers and  look for wells to take a plunge.