Zatra at Cansaulin

The Zatra at Cansaulin is held every year on the 6th day of January, on the day of the Feast of the Magi. This remarkable Zatra is held at Cansaulin near Margao. It celebrates the arrival of the three kings at Bethlehem. Three young boys, between from 8 to 10 years, are selected from different villages and are dressed in wigs and gaudy garments and made to look like puppets. They are entrusted to bring the gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense to the Child-God. The ritual of the Zatra focuses on their climb to a church located on a hillock near the village. Inside the church is a carved infant Christ. Their entering the church signals the villagers to begin the merriment, dance and music. There are fire-eating and fire walking feasts. The Zatra at Cansaulin is observed with gay abandon.

To be a king, if only for a day is no joke, so the young monarchs take meticulous care to groom themselves for the exacting role. Meanwhile, on the Mount of Remedios, the crowds gather from all parts of Goa to attend the Mass and get a glimpse of the three kings. An extensive fair also springs up covering the entire hilltop. One can buy anything from a meal to copper and brassware, furniture, clothes, toys, trinkets, sweetmeats, glass bangles and spices of all sorts.