It,s called Diwalli and it should happen when you are there, it's a really good time to be there, I'm not sure of the exact date as it moves aout a bit. I sent you a PM about the Bombay hotels, did you get it? Alan

Yes i got your pm about bombay hotels. Thanks again. I think i must have forgot to reply to say thanks.

But ive managed to find a good deal on that moneysupermarket.com which is advertised on tv.

The cheapest i got was 693 for 2 people from manchester to bombay, then another 100 for the connection to Goa.
Which in total would be 793, and then plus whatever i have to pay for the bombay hotel, which ive found to be about £30 a night.

I found something on moneysupermarket for 800, with the transfers only a couple of hours so no need for a hotel in bombay.

Jf you look halfway down this page there is a thread called festivals 07, It provides a link with all the dates of festivals and Goa carnivals [sorry I can't do a link for you]

Lin

http://www.aathitya.com/tourism/fair_festival/
( courtesy of Feelthevibe!)

Thanks for that, but isnt this year 2006?

The next Goa Festival is in February though.

ah right, so there arent anymore festivals this year?

There is something going on next week (9th) called Raksha Bandan, there are lots of string bracelets with fancy beads being sold in the market, the girls buy them for their brothers or if they don't have one, any male member of the family as a sign of their affection and respect, in return they get money.
The Ganesh festival is in the next couple of weeks, not sure what it entails but there are lots of Ganesh idols being made. We were in Union chemist in Mapusa this morning, the phamacist told us it lasts for 5 days and the Hindus have an open house where they sit on their verandas, eat, and make everyone welcome, the guy invited us to his house
Not sure if it's connected but we were woken up a 6am this morning by the "music" in the temple, and as I type this I can hear it in the temple further down- Robbie it aint

have a look here for a calendar of festivals for the rest of the year

Thanks Fiona,
Yummy mummy althought the thread was titled festivals 07, It shows the dates for this year as well, As Ampora Julie states there is the Ganesh festival this month on 27th, unfortunately I will miss it.

maybe it was the IFFI - the International Film Festival of India. It is held this year between 23rd Nov and 3rd December.

It is great - India's answer to the Canne Film festival. Its held in Panjim, and although you probably would'nt get tickets to the actual screenings, it is like a carnival all along the waterfront at Panjim.

All the top Bollywood stars are there. Last year they stayed at the Cidade De Goa hotel. And we even saw afew pop videos being filmed on the beach.

I'm gonna miss carnival this year

Never mind Alan,
That means we can go to the Casino twice.