Experiencing Goa’s Bonderam Festival on Divar Island

The first time I heard about the Bonderam Festival, I thought someone had mispronounced "bandaram", maybe another beach party in Goa, I assumed. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

What I found instead, nestled in the Divar Island, was a celebration unlike any other in Goa, quirky, deeply rooted in history, full of satire and laughter, and strangely emotional. It's a day when flags do more than decorate. They remember. They revolt. And most importantly, they bring people together.

What is the Bonderam Festival all About?

Bonderam derives from the Portuguese word “bandeira” (meaning flag). The story goes that villagers, frustrated by Portuguese land division using flags, would knock them down in protest. What started as resistance evolved into a community festival to honour unity, satire, and storytelling.

Today, Bonderam is known for:

• Flag parades with themed floats

• Mock fights using fruits and bamboo sticks

• Locals dressed in creative costumes

• Traditional Goan folk music and food stalls

• An explosion of colour, pride, and joy

• It’s Goa beyond the beaches—authentic, vibrant, and deeply local.

  
  

The Island That Time Forgot

To reach Divar Island, you hop onto a ferry. That’s the only way in. And as the boat leaves the busy banks behind, so does everything else: the crowds, the clichés, and the noise of typical Goa. You enter a quieter world of swaying palms, winding lanes, and homes with crumbling charm. But on the fourth Saturday of August, this sleepy island wakes up with a roar.

There’s music. There’s colour. There are people dancing down the street in costumes they’ve worked on for weeks. Homemade floats glide through the narrow roads, flags flutter from every corner, and the air hums with something more than celebration. It feels personal.

Because for Divar, Bonderam is not a show. It’s an identity.

They started knocking the flags down.

What began as an act of rebellion turned into a tradition, and eventually, a festival. Today, Bonderam honours that spirit of defiance and unity with floats that parody politics, performances that tease power, and a riot of colour that says: we’re still here, and we’re still proud.

The Bonderam Trail by Soul Travelling

Attending Bonderam with Soul Travelling wasn’t like being on a tour. It felt like being let in on a secret. As we walked through the old alleys of Divar, our local storyteller shared tales of growing up on the island, how kids used to steal mangoes from the neighbour’s tree, and how each ward (section of the village) still competes to build the best float.

We stopped by a 150-year-old home where the hosts served us steaming sannas and pork sorpotel. Their living room was open to all strangers, friends, and neighbours. It was the kind of hospitality you don’t see in guidebooks.

They say you travel to find new places. But sometimes, if you’re lucky, you find people who make a place feel like home.

Why Bonderam is Goa’s Best-Kept Secret

Goa is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and iconic festivals, including the Carnival. But Bonderam is different. There’s no commercial gloss here. No ticket counters. No stage lighting.

It’s unfiltered joy, celebrated by the people, for the people. And it still flies under the radar for most tourists, which makes it that much more magical.

If you want to see real Goa, the kind that sings in Konkani, dances barefoot, and laughs without filters, Bonderam is where you need to be.

Things to Know Before You Go

Date: 16th August every year

Location: Divar Island, North Goa

How to Reach: Take a ferry from Old Goa or Ribandar

What to Expect: Parades, folk music, floats, satire, community food stalls, and lots of dancing

What to Bring: A hat, comfortable shoes, a curious heart, and an empty stomach

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Your Questions Answered

Q: Is Bonderam a touristy event?

A: Not at all. It’s a hyper-local celebration that most tourists miss. Soul Travelling gives you curated access, so you enjoy it the local way.

Q: Can children and seniors join the Bonderam Trail?

A: Yes! It’s a comfortable, easy-paced trail suitable for all age groups. Plus, we make sure everyone feels safe and included.

Q: What should I wear or bring?

A: Light, comfy clothes. Hat, sunscreen, reusable water bottle, and a phone or camera to capture the moments. Rainwear if needed!

A Note from the Heart

As I stood among the crowd, watching flags rise and music echo across the island, I realised something.

In a world constantly chasing “what’s next,” Bonderam reminds us of the joy of holding on to stories, traditions, and each other.

So, the next time you find yourself in Goa in August, skip the beach just for a day. Take the ferry. Follow the flags. Find the festival. You won’t regret it.

And if you want to go deeper than just watching from the sidelines, walk the lanes with someone who knows them. That’s where Soul Travelling comes in, not as guides, but as friends who know where the best stories hide.