The people ofGoahas celebrated theSao Joao festival,the feast ofSt John the Baptistwith traditional enthusiasm after a two-year coronavirus-induced gap. The festival is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, who baptised Lord Jesus on the river of Jordan and is celebrated at the onset of monsoon. Siolim, a village in North Goa, hosts a traditional canoe parade on the occasion of Sao Joao.
A large number of people participated in the boat parade in Siolim village of Goas Bardez taluka, marking the beginnng of revelry in the Sao Joao festival. Traditionally, people jump into the well but since the wells are fast disappearing, people prefer to celebrate it in swimming pools. The festival is marked to herald the monsoon season in the state every year in June. People are often seen having a great time by enjoying and dancing in the artificial rain which adds charm to the celebrations.