Tourism
of Goa
Fairs
& Festivals ::
Christian
Festivals
Konsachem
FestThis
feast is celebrated at the unusually named Our Lady of The Snows Church at
Raia near the town of Margao in Salcete taluka. The feast is known locally
as Konsachem Fest after the sheaves (konsa) of rice harvest which are cut at
the time of the celebration.
Raia is a small village on the
outskirts of Margao. The local church here, also known as the Raia Church is
the scene of this feast which draws hundreds of Hindu and Christian devotees
from all round the state.
The Church has a sickle which is said to
have been specially sent across to Goa, by the Pope in Portuguese times. The
local parish priest cuts the first sheaves of the season's rice harvest from
the nearby fields.
He also gives blessings for a rich harvest
for future seasons and the sheaves are then distributed among the devotees
present. These are then used by the devotees to prepare some rice dish at
their home.
Some of the sheaves are also sent to the Governor of
Goa and the Archbishop of Goa Diocese as a symbol of love, good wishes and
prosperity. On this a as per tradition, a football tournament is held at the
local grounds among the clubs of the surrounding areas.
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