Musical and Traditional events in Goa

MANDO
Mando is an art group song set to Latin - American tune and popular with Goan Catholics that usually has boys and girls standing in two semicircular lines and singing in chorus. The girls wear a 'tollopo' that is a Burmese Sarong - type dress and the theme of the songs sung are mostly frustration and deception in love. Mando songs that are made up with the blend of Goan folk music and church music were first written in 1840. The Mando is the finest creation of Goan Song dealing with love, tragedy and contemporary events, both social and political.
The Mando-Dulpod is a slower variety of the Dulpod (or a quicker sort of Mando), also in six-four time, facilitating the transition from the slow rhythm of the Mando to the quicker one of the Dulpod. The Dulpod is typically descriptive song of everyday life in traditional Goa, particularly that of the Christians.
Groups who are well known to take part in the event are from Merces, Fatorda, Velim, Margao, Sarzora, Nuvem, Raia and others. Mando mostly uses instruments, the main one being Gummot (a percussion instrument), guitar, and violin. When accompanying a song or dance the gumott is usually placed on the left thigh, while the player sits comfortably on a chair. The gumott is essential for a mando performance. A madlem is a cylindrical earthen vessel covered at both ends with the skin of a lizard.
Mando Festival is held every year mostly in the month on December and January in various parts of Goa which has groups competing against each others. The Department of Art and Culture holds this event every at Kala Academy in Panaji with over 40 editions which are held annually. Chinchinim also hosts the mando festival every year and has about 30 editions of mando festivals. The Mando Festival is open for children, teenagers and adult categories in original, traditional, mando dance and opera style.

Dam and waterfalls as tourist attractions

Selaulim (Salaulim) Dam is considered one among the most important dams in Goa. It is in Sanguem taluka. Situated amidst scenic surroundings, the dam is renowned as a tourist spot. It is about 12 km from Curchorem and 2 km from Sanguem town. One who visits the site can enjoy perfect solitude. A Tourist Rest House is located near the dam. It is Goa's biggest Dam which is across the river Zuari. It provides water to almost the entire South Goa district.

It is an important eco-tourism spot in South Goa attracting domestic and foreign tourists besides hundreds of locals. It also has a botanical garden at its side. The Dam is overall a treat to watch. It is great time to see it during monsoons or just after as the water is full and it looks awesome.

Goa The Rome Of The East

Goa is a scienic place with beautiful landscapes, beaches, temples, churches, mosques, and greenary. Goa is blessed with an unique culture with the influence of both Indian as well as Western Culture. Goa has a rich cultural heritage with a blend of music in every soul of Goan. Goa is also known world over as, "Pearl of the East".

Goa is well known for its festivities and cultural and religious function all the year round. Hence even the tourism department promoted Goa as a 365 days on a Holiday.

The important Festivals in Goa include:

1. Feast of three kings at Cansaulim, Chandor and Reis Magos on 6th January every year.

2. Jatara at Shri Shanta Durga Temple of Fatorpa mostly in the month of January.

3. Jatra at Bodeshwar temple in Mapusa mostly in January.

4. Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria on 2nd February at Pomburpa of Bardez.

5. Carnival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and funfare in the month of February.

6. There is also an All saints procession in Goa Velha in March or April.

7. Holi is also celebrated all over Goa.

8.Fama de Meneino Jesus is celebrated in Colva mostly in the month of October.

9. 3rd December is the day of feast of St. Francis Xavier, and people of all over the world come to pay homage to this saint.

10. Christmas and New Year is best enjoyed in Goa, people love to be in Goa during this season.