Colva

Colva is a small village in south Goa on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It lies 39 km away from Panaji, capital of the Indian state of Goa. Two km further ahead from Colva is Benaulim.

Things to See

• From early October to late May, from 4 pm onwards, one can see the bull fights at Benaulim beach which lies close to Colva beach. On the beat of taped Konkani music, the bullfights are usually held in an old rice field with no fences or barricades just outside a village.
• The church in Colva is famous for its annual religious event—Fama of Menino Jesuse (Child Jesus)—since the 17th century. The predominantly Catholic community celebrates it on the third Monday of October every year. It is one of Goa’s most popular feasts and a big fair is held on the occasion at Colva.
• The Beach Bonanza fair is held on successive Sundays from mid-April onwards, where frenzy visitors in merriment participate in live music, dance, and other entertainment.
• Celebrated on the third Monday of October every year, Fama of Menino Jesuse is among the most popular festivals of Goa.
  
• The Church of St John the Baptist is situated on a hill beyond the village and worth a visit. On the arrival of the monsoon, Feast of St John the Baptist (Sao Joao) is celebrated as a thanksgiving. Young men wearing crowns of leaves and fruits tour the area singing for gifts. To commemorate the movement of St John in his mother’s womb when he was in his mother’s womb and visited by Mary, the mother of Jesus, the young men of this village jump in the wells.
The festivities start at eight in the morning to extend until nine in the evening. On the fama day, the miraculous image of Infant Jesus is specially brought down from the left side altar of the church, for public veneration and umao (kissing). The priest hurriedly passes by a long and virtually unending queue of devotees touching the statue to their eager lips.

Where to eat & shop

As far as big shopping complexes or markets are concerned, Colva Beach still has to develop. But there are a lot of trinket shops and drink stalls on the beach where one can buy artifacts, antiques and gifts for friends waiting back at home. Open-air eateries serving seafood and Portuguese dishes are in abundance on the shore.
There are plenty of resorts and low-budget hotels in and around Colva.