The Jumping into wells
What is the origin of this custom, on the Feast of St. John and what is the linkage? Why is it unique to Goa only and not to celebrations in the rest of the world? Aplausible reason could be reference to the quotation from the Bible. When Blessed Virgin Mary had conceived Baby Jesus, she was informed by Angel Gabriel that her cousin Elizabeth had also conceived in her old age (John) When Blessed Virgin Mary went to visit her, Elizabeth was so happy and being filled with the Holy Spirit that the baby in her womb leapt in joy. To keep solidarity with this event our ancestors felt that they too were expected to leap and jump, and hence they jump into wells.
St. John Baptized Jesus by dipping him in the water of river Jordan so this is another reason in defence of jumping into the water.
Courtesy: Sebastian D’Cruz