Ex. Deputy Chief Minister and Kala Akademi Chairman Chandrakant “Babu” Kavlekar on Friday joined members of the Christian community in Betul to celebrate the traditional Sanjao festival.
Sanjao, also known as the Feast of St. John the Baptist or São João, is one of Goa’s best-known monsoon festivals. Celebrated annually on June 24, the festival commemorates the birth of St. John the Baptist. It is marked by colourful celebrations across the state, with young men traditionally jumping into wells, ponds and streams, while many participants wear floral headgear known as kopels. The festival is particularly popular in villages with a strong Catholic heritage and is accompanied by music, traditional food and community gatherings.
Speaking on the occasion, Kavlekar said Goa has a long tradition of people from different faiths celebrating festivals together, adding that such shared celebrations reflect the state’s communal harmony.
“Goa has a long tradition of celebrating festivals of all religions together, and such shared observances are a symbol of the state’s communal harmony,” Kavlekar said.
Residents and community members participated in the celebrations in Betul, with the event reflecting the festive spirit that characterises São João celebrations across Goa during the monsoon season.
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