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Spiritual Events, Feasts & Zatras in Goa
1 events coming up across Goa — mostly spiritual (1).
Goa's religious calendar is shared between its churches and temples. The largest gathering is the Feast of St Francis Xavier at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa on Thursday 3 December 2026, after a nine-day novena. Panaji's church celebrates the Immaculate Conception on 8 December, midnight mass is held in every parish on 24 December, and Lent begins on 10 February 2027, with Easter on 28 March. On the temple side, the shrines around Ponda, including Mangueshi, Mahalasa at Mardol and Shantadurga at Kavlem, hold annual zatras with palanquin processions, and Mapusa's Bodgeshwar zatra draws large crowds each winter. Tripurari Poornima falls on 24 November 2026 and Mahashivratri on 6 March 2027. Meditation retreats run at Agonda and other beach villages in season.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Feast of St Francis Xavier?
On 3 December every year. In 2026 it falls on a Thursday and is a public holiday in Goa.
What is a zatra?
The annual festival of a Goan temple, with rituals, a palanquin or chariot procession and a fair. Each temple has its own date by the Hindu calendar.
Can visitors attend church feasts and temple festivals?
Yes. Dress modestly, remove footwear at temples, keep silent during services and ask before taking photographs.
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