Goa all set to celebrate Bonderam

Bonderam is one of the most unique festivals of Goa celebrated on the fourth Saturday of August every year at Divar Island. The feast takes the form of a carnival with colorful floats marching down the main thorough fare of the village. Each ward of the village sends a float to the parade and no efforts are spared to outdo each other. The parade is marked by joyous celebrations accompanied by loud music and live band performances. People from adjoining areas converge in large numbers for a peek into the unfolding festivities.

The name Bonderam revolves around the involvement of flags which in itself is an interesting story. Frequent disputes which occurred between two wards (section of the village) – Piedalda and Sao Mathias – over property matters often led to bloody duels, and sometimes death. Subsequently, the Portuguese introduced a system of demarcation of boundaries with flags of various nations.
The rival groups, however, knocked down the flags sometimes with stones. Today, in a parody of the past, this is commemorated with a “Fotash” flight (toy weapon of bamboo stem) and berries are used as missiles in a mock fight between rival groups to knock down an offending flag.

On the day, a carnival ambience is created with each ward of the village having a float at the parade with a local favor.  On the day of the feast, the quaint island of Divar, away from the hustle and bustle of Panaji, is agog with excitement.  The gaily coloured floats accompanied by colorfully dressed youngsters make a pretty picture along with revelers who assemble to witness the  floats from far and wide.

Hon’ble Tourism Minister of Goa, Shri. Dilip Parulekar said “Goa is all geared up to celebrate Bonderam which is one of the most interesting festivals of Goa. The island of Divar comes to life on the day of the festival with a lot of entertainment and fun for the public. Such festivals imbibe unity and a reason to celebrate with bliss and harmony . This is a very popular monsoon festival in Goa and it draws huge crowds from all parts of Goa and world over. We are expecting a large number of visitors to come and experience the festival this year”.