It’s Christmas time and voila what a wonderful time of the year to holiday in Goa!
Goa comes alive to the sounds of the season, the chiming church bells, and Christmas caroling, Goan Christmas melodies and of course the scrumptious food that one cannot resist. Besides all this hustle and bustle, there is another very unique aspect of Christmas that one would not like to miss out on- the depiction of the nativity and solemnity of the birth of Jesus – that the world celebrates with fervor and festivity.
In Goa, the locals bring out this aspect uniquely and one cannot miss a crib trail and making it part of an itinerary when in Goa this December end.
While each parish in Goa creates a crib, all across the State, young boys and girls spend days ahead of Christmas working tirelessly on a creative crib either in a field, farm, wetland or simply along the highway. There’s a lot of excitement in the air among the crib crafters who work quietly within the curtained areas, and a lot suspense for those outside eagerly waiting to catch of glimpse of the crib creations.
Life-sized images of the Holy Family and the little Baby Jesus in the manger set against very unique backdrops, Christmassy music and of course the good old Santa Claus is a big draw for tourists and even locals. The cribs are unveiled at midnight after the Christmas Eucharistic celebrations and are open for viewing from Christmas day till January 6.
South Goa has an amazing display of such cribs and one would need at least a week to cover up a crib trail starting from Verna, Nuvem, Cansaulim, Velsao, Curtorim, Quepem, Velim, Cuncolim and even right up to the extreme end of Canacona. In North Goa, one can view cribs in Panjim, St Cruz, Taleigao, Porvorim, Mapusa, Saligao, Calangute, and more.
Year after year, the cribs are getting more creative and innovative. While some continue to blend with environment and green concepts, others have used latest technologies and electronic devices to animate the cribs. Soothing illumination and music, elaborate décor and a well maintained queue system enables one to get a mesmerizing view of the cribs. Crib competitions are held to judge the best. But every crib is unique and a winner!
Come to Goa and experience this Christmas solemnity and trail away to be filled with the true meaning and essence of Christmas. Minister for Tourism, Dilip Parulekar said, “Christmas in Goa is a very unique experience for tourists. People of all faiths participate in the celebrations and visit Christmas cribs that are created by Goans in different settings and backdrops across the State. This year too we are expecting tourists to visit Goa in large numbers and witness the uniqueness of the celebrations.”
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