Feast of the Three Kings

The feast of the three kings is one of the most popular and well known events of Goat. It is a locally festival that is attended by the locals as well as tourists. The festival is locally known as the Holy Epiphany or the Festa dos Reis. Two of the main places in Goa where the festival is celebrated with a lot of pomp and festivity are the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount within Cansaulim and the Reis Magos church within Verem. The festival is celebrated again a period of nine days. It activates 12 days after the end of Christmas. The final day of the festival, onto January 6th is the most auspicious day. It is also known as the Festa dos Reis or the Epiphany on January 6.

On January 6th, three boys are picked towards enact the functions of three kings who are supposed to carry gifts and presents for the newborn Jesus. The three boys are picked cautiously and belong to the age group of eight to ten years. The ritual begins when the three boys clothed in royal finery activate their ride towards the chapel onto white steeds from different branches of the city. They finally meet at the top of the hill and proceed to the chapel to give their presents and wealth.

These three kings drive from different channels and arrive towards the chapel to offer their wealth and money to the Lady of Mount. The Kings arrive with a jolly crowd. After the rituals, a carnival springs up, spreading joy and happiness all around. One can buy anything from a meal to copper and brassware, furniture, clothing, toys, trinkets, sweetmeats, glass bangles and spices of all types. The end of this festival happens after 9 days of continuous dance, melodies and partying. During these nine days, Hindu and Christian followers arrive at the chapel of the Our Lady of Mount and offer their prayers and seek blessing from her.