DirectRooms - Goa's Residents Hold a Special Feast for The Immaculate Conception
People in the Indian state of Goa along with members of Christian and Catholic churches around the world will be holding celebrations to mark the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
Online, November 11, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Traditionally celebrated each year on 8th December, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception marks the miracle of Jesus and how followers believe he was made pure and divine.
Goa will be holding special festivities for the occasion and especially in the towns of Panjim and Margao which have larger Christian congregations.
In Panjim, at the Mary Immaculate Conception Church the celebrations last for three days and begin with a harvest of the best ears of corn from the fields. These are then laid on the alter and presented to God in thanks for the year's harvest. By offering the best produce it is believed that God will then reward the farmers again with good crops for next year.
A festival will also be taking place in the grounds of the church as well as fireworks displays from 19:30 to announce the beginning of the feast every evening. Morning mass will then be held inside before the congregation joins together in a procession through the streets holding an image of the Virgin Mary combined with music and songs.
With the increased number of people visiting the area for the holiday season demand for Goa hotels is set to rise over the course of events.
Lek Boonlert, marketing head at DirectRooms.com commented: "The run up to Christmas combined with the feast make it a busy few weeks in Goa. Hotels will be witnessing the influx of guests and so to secure rooms people need to book early online."