Goa Carnival-The mother of all festivals in Goa

Goa carnival is one of the most famous festivals in India. It has served as the main attraction in Goa tourism. Every thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Goa to take part in this carnival. For 3 days and nights Goa doesn’t sleep.

Goa Carnival (click here) is a festival of colour, joy, culture, food and music. This carnival is usually celebrated in the first or second week of February. It is celebrated immediately before the season of lent. For almost a week the streets of Goa become alive with color, lights and people from various nationalities. This festival is mainly a public street party or a public celebration. This festival is very unique and exclusive to Goa. No other carnival celebration is held in India. This makes Goa carnival the only one of its kind in India.

The main feature of this carnival is that the people participating and celebrating in this carnival shed off their skin of religion and restrictions and enjoy it fully. This is a truly an opportunity to mix with people belonging to various groups, backgrounds and belief. 

This carnival traces its origin to the Portuguese. This type of carnival was initially practiced in Rome and Greece which later started to spread in Spain and Portugal. When Goa was under the colonial rule of the Portuguese they introduced this festival here also. Since then this feast is celebrated every year with full glory and fun. Till date you will find some Portuguese flavor in this Goan celebration.

In the first starting day of this carnival the legendary King of the Chaos- King Momo leads this carnival followed by fire eaters, clowns, dancers, brass bands, acrobats and various colourful processions. He moves down the main road in Panaji and commands his people to celebrate, dance, drink and feast. From then this carnival starts and the streets of Goa become full with colourful processions, floats, graceful dances, guitars and drums. These processions are carried along the street and are cheered enthusiastically by the audiences placed along the two sides of the road. These programs are merrily welcomed by the audience consisting of locals and foreigners. The fun filled guitar tunes, and energetic drum beats makes them jump on their feet and celebrate this festival.

Music has almost become a trademark of Goa carnival. This festival has turned into more of a musical extravaganza. Various jazz musicians and bands come and perform in this celebration. The eye catching design of the floats demonstrating various types of rhymes, lullabies, jingles, various showcases of Bollywood and Hollywood artists add to the continuity of this festival. The carnival also hosts various cultural programs and street plays. These are performed by people from different parts of the state and country. The show of colours that this festival puts up adds to the positivity and festivity of this carnival. The streets get filled with colourful ribbons, people wearing colourful masks and attractive dresses.

Some of the main attractions in this carnival are the game of disguises, musical groups, Masquerade, fireworks, fortune tellers, open air dining hubs etc. This carnival is concluded with the famous red and black dance in Panjim, the capital of Goa. more a bout goa visit: http://www.goatourpackages.com/