Samrudhdi Kerkar
Water has always held a special place in the human experience. It’s not just essential for survival, it carries emotional, spiritual, and cultural significance. Whether it’s the rhythmic patter of rain, the shimmering surface of a lake, or the wild rush of waterfalls, we are drawn to it. There’s a strange, soothing comfort in water… something that speaks to an ancient, instinctive part of us.
In Goa, this connection runs deep. The monsoon season is the most awaited time of the year. After the scorching summer heat, the rains feel like a blessing. As the first drops fall, the landscape transforms, fields turn lush, the air cools, and the scent of wet earth stirs nostalgia. It’s a moment of collective relief and renewal.
Even children understand this magic. There’s joy in watching the sky darken, feeling the droplets on your skin, and surrendering to the downpour. I remember waiting by the window, eyes lit with anticipation, just for the chance to run outside and get drenched, not just for the rain, but for the freedom and laughter of splashing in puddles and floating paper boats.
But our bond with water isn’t limited to the monsoon. In summer, when the sun beats down, we find refuge in rivers, streams, lakes, and wells. Swimming becomes more than a pastime, it’s a cherished tradition. As a child, trips to the river with cousins were a ritual. We’d leap into the cool water, race with the current, and laugh without a care in the world.
Swimming is a regular part of life in Goa. For many people, it’s not just fun but also helps them feel better. Elders often say that bathing in the sea can reduce body pain and make the bones stronger. My grandmother also believed that the salty sea water took away her aches, a belief passed down over the years.
I still remember the calm after hours in the sea, the waves rocking us like a cradle, the deep, restful sleep that followed, and the lingering sensation of water even after drying off.
Standing beneath a waterfall is another unforgettable experience. The force of water pounding your back feels like nature’s own therapy, washing away stress and worry.
And then there’s São João (the birth of St. John the Baptist, who leapt with joy in his mother’s womb), Goa’s beloved monsoon festival, celebrated yesterday by Goan Catholics. People wear flower crowns (kopels), sing traditional songs, and dive into water bodies, from wells to rivers, in a joyous celebration of rain, youth, and gratitude.
Water brings people together. It heals, uplifts, and connects to nature, to memories, to traditions, and to each other.
For me, every time I jump into a stream or feel the first raindrop, I’m taken back to moments of childhood, moments of innocence, joy, and belonging.
