Margao Crafts Festival

• History
• Places to visit
• How to reach

Organized by the G.H.R.S.S.I.D.C. (Goa Handicrafts, Rural, and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation) with the support of Kalashree Mahila Mandal, the Margao Crafts Festival is a must-experience for any art lover. It is quite a popular fair or you can even say more of an exhibition happening in Margao, Goa and due to its cool vibes doesn’t fail to attract a great number of people, both local and foreign tourists. The Margao Crafts Festival usually happens at a place called Costa Ground in the state where one gets to see the diverse talent of several Indian craftsmen and artisans along with the overall condition of Goan handicrafts and art culture.  

History of Margao Crafts Festival

It is a very popular arts and crafts festival that came to be organised to commemorate fifty years of completion of the liberation of the state. This festival celebrates the rich arts and handicrafts of skilled artisans of Goa. It showcases the talent of the local artisans and speaks volumes about the rich cultural and historical heritage of Goa. 

Also Read : Goa Liberation Day

Major Attractions Of Margao Crafts Festival

1. Shobha Yatra

This fair of Goa is generally commenced by initiating the Shobha Yatra. As the name suggests, it is a procession wherein the folk dancers of Goa actively perform, increasing the overall vibrant charm of the Margao Crafts Festival by manifolds. The fair also sees more than 100 stalls allotted to the local craftsmen for free. The purpose of taking this step by the authorities is to augment and bring the local artisans into the limelight.

2. Cultural Events and Workshops

The Margao Crafts Festival is filled with various cultural activities, musical performances, workshops, and competitions. Thus, if you are someone who loves actively participating in these events and programs then, you will find this fair in Goa to be an absolutely brilliant experience. The fair is attended by all sorts of government officials, artists. Several top-notch artists who are renowned for their creative contribution globally also perform here.

Places to Visit When Attending Margao Crafts Festival

When planning to visit Margao Crafts Festival, you can take out some time from your schedule and visit some of the most popular, offbeat, and major attractions in Goa. Here are a few that you can put on your basket list.

Basílica Bom Jesus

Situated in Old Goa, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is constructed and designed in Baroque architectural style. 

Fort Aguada

It is a magnificent fort overlooking the River Mandovi. This ancient fort is the perfect place to enjoy awe-inspiring sunsets. 

Dudhsagar Falls

It is a magnificent waterfall located in Goa. Plummeting from a height, cascading water creates a misty screen all around. 

Chapora Fort

It is an ancient fort that shot to popularity when a few scenes of “Dil Chahta Hai” were shot here. The views from this fort are nothing short of stunning. 

Baga Beach

The vast expanse of white sandy beach bordering azure water on one side and tall, swaying palms on the other makes it a perfect place to visit. A lot of adventure and water-based activities are available here. By evening, the whole area comes alive with music, lights, parties, street performances, and more. 

Shantadurga Temple

It is a famous temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is situated 33 km away from Panaji. Devotees come here to pray to the Goddess of Peace and seek her blessings. 

Church Square

It is also referred to as Municipal Gardens. It is a verdant park which attracts a lot of tourists during the feast of Mary Immaculate Conception. It's a green oasis in the land of sun, sand, and surf. 

How To Reach 

To reach Margao, also known as Madgaon, you will need to cover a total distance of about 1,897, 607, 2,197, 583 km from Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. It is well connected with all three modes of transport. Check out the following details on how you can reach Margao. 

• Nearest Airport. Dabolim Airport
• Distance from the Airport. 25-30 Km

By Air

Deboard at the Dabolim Airport (GOI) situated 25-30 km away. The airport is fairly well-connected with other Indian cities via direct and connecting flights. From the airport, board a taxi to reach here. 

By Train

You can deboard at the Margao Train Station (MAO) aka Madgaon Railway Station. Located on the Konkan Railway Route, this station is well-routed with other Indian cities. Once off the station, consider booking a cab to reach your location. 

• Nearest Railway Station. Margao Train Station

By Road

Depending upon your physical location, you can also travel via roadways to reach Margao. The motorable highways are well-maintained and connected with other regions. You can easily book a bus online or even a taxi (depending on your convenience) to reach here. Otherwise, you can also travel by your own car. 

• Distance From Panaji - 30-40 km via NH66
• Distance From Amboli - 113 km via NH66
• Distance From Dandeli - 119 km via NH748

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Margao Crafts Festival

Ques 1. Which crafts festival attracts a lot of skilled artisans to showcase their skills in Goa?

Ans 1. Margao Crafts Festival attracts a lot of artisans and visitors to see the local art and crafts of Goa. 

Ques 2.  Who organises the famous Margao Crafts Festival in Goa?

Ans 2. Goa Handicrafts, Rural, and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation organises Margao Crafts Festival in Goa. 

Ques 3. What are the highlights of Margao Crafts Festival?

Ans 3. Besides a display of rural arts and crafts of Goa, the festival is also known for its amazing cultural and musical performances. It gives skilled artisans of Goa a platform to showcase their skills. 

If you are an art buff, plan a trip to Goa and participate in the festival. You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. 

PLEASE NOTE : Dates can vary due to cancellation or last-minute changes.