Viva San Jao - 2009

San Jao, San Jao, Viva San Jao

Come 24th June every year, its Celebration time in Goa, its "San Jao". It is said that on this day St John the Baptist took a leap in his mother's womb. This leap was considered to be a leap of joy. This festival derives its name from the saint and people celebrate this day by jumping into lakes, wells and rivers across the state. Traditionally this is a time where newly wed sons-in-law celebrate at their mothers-in-law's house. On this occasion the mother presents the daughter a basket full of fruits to be taken their new home and then they are distributed to friends, relatives and neighbours. Young as well as the old take part in the "San Jao" Festivities.

A beautiful girl carrying a little princess wearing her "copel"

The macho men wearing their copel

The macho men wearing their copel

The macho man wearing their copel

kids wearing their own "copel"

The colorfully dressed San Jao reveler

the little ones with their "copels"

the cheerful youngsters enjoying San Jao with their "copel"

A man with his "copel" amidst the large crowd gathered at siolim San Jao

Thats little Ms. Photogenic with her "copel"

Opps not so happy being photographed

He stood tall with his "copel" made of flowers and fruits

The macho men with their copel

The macho men with their copel

Kiddies having fun with parents

youngsters wearing their Copel

The beauties pose at the San Jao wearing their copels

the beauty in the black did win a prize for her copel,

The macho men wearing their copel

The macho men wearing their copel

the kiddies look cute in their copels

the macho men with is copel

the beauties wearing their copels

the floats on boats at the San Jao celebrations at Siolim

the floats on boats at the San Jao celebrations at Siolim

the floats on boats at the San Jao celebrations at Siolim

the floats on boats at the San Jao celebrations at Siolim

the floats on boats at the San Jao celebrations at Siolim

Cultural and Singing programs organised at the San Jao Celebrations

Cultural and Singing programs organised at the San Jao Celebrations

Cultural and Singing programs organised at the San Jao Celebrations

Cultural and Singing programs organised at the San Jao Celebrations

Villagers at calangute going about the village palying drums and chanting "Viva San jao"

Villagers at calangute going about the village palying drums and chanting "Viva San jao"

Villagers at calangute going about the village palying drums and chanting "Viva San jao"

The siolim Chruch

Foreigners being a part of the celebrations

Every float that comes with a boat have to put a crown "copel" by climbing over the cross

The huge crowd gathered at the San Jao Celebrations at Siolim

Section of the crowd over look the celebrations from the road

The huge crowed gathered at the San Jao Celebrations at Siolim

The huge crowed gathered at the San Jao Celebrations at Siolim

Teenegers enjoying in the river, with big splashes of water

Opps they did not get partners, but that did not dampen their spirits, Jiving at San Jao Celebrations

Section of the crowd enjoying the San Jao celebrations from the top of the bridge at siolim

The ladies wearing their copel enjoy the San Jao Celebration

Section of the crowd enjoying the San Jao celebrations from the top of the bridge at siolim

the daughter of my friend, who i met after so many year