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Bonderam: the flag festival of Divar Island
A ferry to a bridgeless island, and flags, floats and brass bands in its lanes
Bonderam is the flag festival of Divar, a bridgeless island in the Mandovi river near Panaji: a parade of flags, ward floats and brass bands that replays, in fun, an old village protest against Portuguese boundary flags. It is held on the fourth Saturday of August, which in 2027 is expected to be 28 August. Entry is free, the only way in is by ferry, and it is the monsoon, so bring a raincoat.
The date follows the rule; the Divar panchayat and Goa Tourism confirm the programme in August.
Where to celebrate
Goa
Take the ferry to Divar in late August for a parade of flags, floats and brass bands, in a festival that began as a protest against Portuguese boundary markers.
What you see
The name comes from the Portuguese bandeira, flag. In colonial times flags marked out plots of land, the boundaries caused disputes, and villagers took to knocking the flags down in mock battles. Bonderam keeps that memory as a game: wards march with towering flags, and the old skirmishes are replayed with fotashes, toy guns made of bamboo.
The day starts at dawn with the Alvorada, a brass band that winds around the island to wake it up. The main celebrations begin at about 3 pm in the centre of the island at Piedade: the flag parade, then the ward floats, each built over weeks and part art project, part friendly rivalry, with dance troupes and a fancy-dress parade for children and adults. Watch from the roadside. In the evening bands play on the main stage until about 10 pm, and the food stalls serve sorpotel, sanna, prawn curry and bebinca.
It is the middle of the monsoon: green paddies, grey skies, warm rain, and if it pours, the island carries on. Because the only way on and off is a ferry, Bonderam stays a village occasion rather than a tourist parade.
👣 Getting to Divar
There is no bridge. The crossing is short.
- From Old Goa
The busiest crossing on festival day, a short walk from the jetty near the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Queues build from mid-afternoon, so cross early.
- From Ribandar
Handy from Panaji; it crosses to the western tip of the island.
- From Naroa
The ferry on the north side of the island.
- On the island
Roads around the venue close from about 1:30 pm to 10:30 pm (2026 plan). Park at a marked spot and walk the last stretch; a scooter is easier than a car.
✅ What to bring and how to behave
Bonderam is a village festival that welcomes visitors. Treat it like someone's home.
- Rain gear — A raincoat or umbrella and shoes that can get wet.
- Cash — Small change for the ferry and cash for the food stalls.
- Fancy dress — The fancy-dress parade is a real competition open to all of Goa, but only with pre-registration: no entries on the day, and no costumes depicting religious or political figures.
- Respect the island — Do not drink and drive, and do not litter: the festival runs through village lanes and paddy fields.
👣 Where to stay and what to book
Nothing to book for the festival itself.
- Stay in Panaji or Old Goa
Divar has almost no accommodation. Late August is Goa's monsoon low season, so two weeks ahead is plenty for a room.
- Watch the trains
Book trains about a month ahead. If Ganesh Chaturthi falls close to the date, Konkan line trains from Mumbai sell out earlier.
- Arrive the day before
Be in Goa the day before so you can cross early. For the Alvorada, take a dawn ferry.
❓ FAQ
When is Bonderam 2027?
Bonderam is always held on the fourth Saturday of August, so in 2027 it is expected on 28 August; the Divar panchayat and Goa Tourism confirm the programme in August. In 2028 the rule gives 26 August.
What does Bonderam mean?
It comes from the Portuguese bandeira, flag: the festival recalls the flags the Portuguese used to mark land boundaries and the villagers' mock battles against them.
Is Bonderam free?
Yes, entry is free. The ferry to the island is the only cost.
Is there another Bonderam in Malar?
Yes. Malar, on the same island, starts its own Bonderam about a week earlier, in a more traditional style; in 2025 it was held on 16 August.