Goa has become famous for the festivals and carnivals, many of them Indo-Latin in historical reverence. These are occasions for everyone to celebrate, from the wealthy business owner to the peasant to the tourist staying in one of the five star hotels in Goa. The term, carnival, is taken from the Latin, which when translated literally means the taking away of or the removal of meat. The main spring time festival is in honor of the Hindu god Shigmo. This festival celebrates spring as the ‘New Year’, when life flourishes again after the winter months. The festival of Shigmo is a joyous celebration, however the festival of Shivaratri honors penance and austerity. There are 3 major festivals celebrated in Goa honoring Shiva, and this is the most ancient in tradition. The Shivartri festival, is not a celebration, but a time of meditation and introspection.
While most of the festivals are celebrations, such is true of the nightlife in Goa. The parties tend to last all night. On any given night, families head out to dance the night away, or to relax with a bit of gin or feni. One interesting attraction in the city are the existence of house/restaurant/bars. In just about every 3rd house on any street, people open up their most trendy and fashionable room to the public. They set out a couple of tables with chairs, and serve customers just as one would get served in a restaurant. Many find this an option to the more crowded established restaurants, as it is relaxing and pleasant to simply sit in someones house and have a night out of it, a stranger’s house no less. Many locals who offer their houses up in such a manner are very fine chefs. The cuisine is often fresh, with garden vegetables and seafood, stocked bars and nice conversations. Some international travelers may find this to be a strange custom, but should one venture into one of these establishments, they will be pleasantly surprised as to just how comfortable and wonderful the experience will be.
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