It must be said that the state of Goa is a very fine example of people living in communal harmony for the country and rest of the world. For the first time in 13 years the Milagres feast at Mapusa and Shree Devi Lairai Zatra in Shirgao will reportedly be celebrated on April 24. It is understood that devotees have traditionally believed both Milagres Saibin and Lairai Devi are sisters and follow an age-old custom to offer oil to the Milagres Saibin from Shirgao Devasthan and to offer Mogra flowers to Lairai Devi from the St Jerome Church in Mapusa. The two festivals were last celebrated on the same day in 1970 and 2010. Goa is known for social harmony, brotherhood where all religious festivals are celebrated together by people belonging to different communities. Goans take part in each other's festivals, like Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Eid, Mapusa Milagres Feast, Fatorpa Zatra, Bambolim Cross feast, etc. The Feast of St Francis Xavier, popularly known as ‘Goencho Saib’, is attended by all Goans and non-Goans irrespective of their religion.
